Is My Baby’s Poop Normal?

First off- we’re going to spare you the graphics in this blog. However, photos can sometimes be helpful. So if you’re feeling like you want to look at some dirty diapers for comparison- you can check some out HERE. Before we can tell you if your baby’s poop is normal…we have to define what normal is!

Normal Baby Poop For the First Few Days:

Meconium poops are the norm for the first few days – black tarry and messy!

Normal Baby Poop For the First Few Months:

• Soft
• Easy to pass
• Shades of brown and yellow- slightly varying depending on if they are formula fed poops or breastfed poops

Abnormal Baby Poop:

• Hard. Baby poops should vary on a spectrum between liquid and soft but formed. Anything harder than play-doh is abnormal. Hard pellets are not normal newborn poops and are a sign of constipation. [Learn more about how to treat and prevent in our constipation blog]
• Hard to pass. Babies should be able to pass their stools relatively easily. If your baby is straining and crying to pass a stool, this is a sign of constipation.
• Bright red blood in the poop. A few flecks can indicate dried blood from a nursing parent’s nipples, but blood in the stool should prompt a call to the pedi as it indicates fresh bleeding. For an older baby this may be caused by food! Beets or other red foods can tint the stool.
• Black poop. After the first week- black is typically blood that has had time in the GI tract, it may indicate bleeding and the pedi should be alerted immediately. For an older baby this may be caused by food! Blueberries in the stool can often look scary.
• Mucus in the poop. This is a sign of illness or allergy. Usually there are strings of mucus throughout the stool. You want to monitor your baby for other signs/symptoms. If someone in the house as a bug it is likely illness. If baby is generally fussy, is rashy, spitty and other family members have food sensitivities then it might be an allergy/intolerance.
• White chalky baby poop. This is a sign that your baby is not digesting food properly and the pediatrician should be contacted.