During the first few days, weeks, and months of life, an infant’s poop changes color and consistency, and a wide range of colors is normal.
The main causes of changes in feces color in newborns include age, food, and health. Newborns’ poop is practically black, however, older infants’ poop is yellow or brown. The color of a baby’s feces can also be affected by both breastfeeding and formula feeding.
Baby poop changes when starting solids too. What should it look like and how often should baby poop after starting solids?
What can you read in this article?
- Baby poop chart by age
- How often should baby poop after starting solids
- Baby poop colors and what it means
Baby poop chart by age
Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels
In the first few days after birth, a newborn will pass meconium, a black, sticky, tar-like substance. Newborn bowel motions change to a lighter, runnier stool after three days. Its color ranges from light brown to yellow to yellow-green.
Days 1-3
By 24-48 hours after delivery, a newborn will have passed meconium. By day 4, it will have turned a green-yellow tint.
First 6 weeks
Breastfed baby: Stool that is runny and yellow. Expect at least three bowel movements each day. But some newborns may have as many as four or twelve. A baby may only poop every few days after that.
Formula-fed baby: Stool in a light brown or greenish color. At least 1-4 bowel movements each day are to be expected. A baby may only pass feces every other day after the first month.
How often should baby poop after starting solids
Breastfed baby: When a baby starts food, he or she normally passes more feces.
Formula-fed baby: 1-2 stools per day.
Baby poop colors and what it means
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
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The color of a baby’s stools might change due to a variety of circumstances. The following are some common colors and their causes:
1. Yellow
This is a typical color for a breastfed baby’s poop. Their feces is dark yellow in color and may contain tiny particles.
These specks are made up of breastmilk and are completely harmless. Poop from breastfed babies is sometimes described as “seedy,” with seeds that resemble cottage cheese curds but are yellow.
2. Black
Black is a healthy color for stool in neonates in less than one week. However, when this period of time has passed, it may signify a health problem.
A newborn passes meconium within the first 24 hours of life. This is a substantial black stool. Cells, amniotic fluid, bile, and mucus absorbed while in the womb make up this substance. Meconium is normally odorless since it is sterile.
A newborn will pass meconium for the first few days of his or her existence. From black to dark green, then yellow, the hue should progressively shift.
Baby’s poop should no longer be black after one week of life. Seek medical help if the black color continues. It could indicate that there is some gastrointestinal bleeding.
3. Brown
This is a typical color for a formula-fed baby’s poop. When a newborn consumes formula, his or her poop is light brown or orange in color. It may be a little darker and stiffer than a breastfed baby’s stool.
4. Green baby poop after eating solids
Green poop is a common occurrence among newborns. The following are some possible causes:
- Slow digestion, occurs when a newborn eats more than usual.
- green foods in the breastfeeding mother’s diet
- a stomach bug or a cold
- a dietary intolerance or allergy
- antibiotics, either in the newborn or in the woman who is breastfeeding
- a jaundice therapy
The poop of some infants is normally slightly green. Green poop isn’t always a cause for concern if the infant is gaining weight and appears content.
5. Red
Because there is blood in poop, it is frequently crimson. Seek medical help if necessary.
It’s possible that the baby has a health problem or has eaten a small bit of blood. If a breastfeeding mother’s nipples are damaged or bleeding, this can happen. Bleeding from the baby’s bottom is another reason for red poop.
6. White
White poop is unusual and may signal liver disease.
Jaundice, for example, is very frequent in infants, affecting up to 80% of them within the first few days of their lives. Within the first two weeks, it normally fades away.
Check the color of your baby’s stool if you fear your infant still has jaundice after 14 days. A poop that is pale or white could indicate liver illness. Yellow pee is another indicator to keep an eye out for.
The doctor may test the baby’s bilirubin levels if they have white or pale stool. Bilirubin is a substance that aids in the elimination of waste from the body. There are two types of bilirubin, and if levels of one type are too high, it can cause health problems.
Why baby poop changes when starting solids
Photo by Keira Burton from Pexels
As your baby grows, you’ll probably notice a difference in their feces. If their nutrition changes in any manner, you may notice a difference.
In certain situations, the infant may have as many as 4-12 bowel movements per day. After that, the baby may only poop on a few occasions. Babies normally start passing more feces after starting food with fluids. Myelination begins 24-48 hours after birth.
Changes in feces volume, consistency, and color might occur when you convert from breastfeeding to formula or change the type of formula you give your infant.
You may notice little fragments of food in your baby’s stool as they begin to eat solid foods. The number of times your infant poops per day may fluctuate as a result of these dietary changes.
If you are concerned about a change in your baby’s stools, always consult with his or her pediatrician.
When to consult your pediatrician
If you see the following in your baby’s feces, see your pediatrician or seek medical care straight away:
- feces that are crimson or bloody
- When your infant has passed meconium, black stools (usually after day four)
- Stools in white or grey
- more stools per day than your infant should have
- feces containing a lot of mucous or water
In the first few months of life, your newborn may have diarrhea or explosive diarrhea. It could be a sign of a viral or bacterium infection. Inform your child’s pediatrician. Diarrhea is frequently accompanied by dehydration.
Dehydration in baby might also manifest itself in the following ways:
- According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should not have more than six wet diapers per day.
- fussiness
- a less lighthearted disposition than normal
- sobbing without shedding tears
- extreme exhaustion
- skin that is changing color or appears wrinkled
- On the head, there is a hollowed soft place.
- eyes that are sunken
While constipation is uncommon in the newborn period, especially when breastfeeding, your infant may be constipated if they have firm stools or difficulty passing stool.
If this occurs, contact their pediatrician immediately. The pediatrician will make suggestions for how you can assist. Although apple or prune juice is sometimes recommended, never give your newborn baby juice without first seeking medical advice.
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