Newborn Poop: What's A Normal Number?

Newborns can poop anywhere from after every feed to once every few days, and this is considered normal. The frequency of a newborn's bowel movements can be an indicator of their overall health, and it's important to monitor their diapers to ensure they are consuming enough milk and are not dehydrated or constipated. Breastfed newborns typically have several bowel movements each day, while formula-fed newborns may have fewer.

Frequency depends on age and diet

The frequency of a newborn's bowel movements can depend on their age and diet. In the first few days of life, newborns pass meconium, a black, sticky, tar-like substance. After about three days, newborn bowel movements turn into a lighter, runnier stool, which may be light brown, yellow, or yellow-green in colour.

During the first six weeks of life, most newborns pass stool two to five times per day, typically after every meal. After this period, the frequency of pooping typically decreases. Many babies will poop only once a day, and some as infrequently as once a week. This is usually not a cause for concern, as long as the baby maintains a healthy weight.

Breastfed newborns typically have several bowel movements each day, whereas formula-fed newborns may have fewer. Breastfed babies' stools often have a mustard-like colour and consistency, and can sometimes be loose or watery. Formula-fed babies' stools are usually softer but more formed, ranging in colour from pale yellow to yellowish brown, light brown, or brownish-green.

After a baby starts eating solids, the frequency of their bowel movements may increase, and you may see small pieces of food in their stool.

Meconium is the first stool

Meconium is the name of a newborn baby's first poop. It is typically dark, thick, sticky, and tar-like, and is composed of water, cells, hair, mucus, and other materials. It is formed when a baby swallows amniotic fluid in the womb, which then passes through the baby's intestines, leaving a sticky, tar-like substance behind.

Meconium is usually passed within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, although some babies may pass meconium while still in the uterus. It is important for babies to pass meconium as it indicates that their digestive system and intestines are working correctly. If a baby doesn't pass meconium within 48 hours, it may be a sign of an intestinal blockage, an underdeveloped rectum, or Hirschsprung disease.

Meconium doesn't have a smell, and its colour can range from dark green to black. It is normal for meconium to look alarming, but it is important to distinguish it from regular newborn poop, which should be softer and lighter in colour.

Meconium can sometimes cause a dangerous lung condition called Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) if the baby breathes it in before, during, or after birth. MAS can cause respiratory distress, infection, and, in rare cases, death. Signs of MAS include breathing problems, a slow heart rate, and blue skin. If meconium aspiration is suspected, doctors will check the baby for respiratory issues and may use suction to remove meconium from the nose, mouth, and throat.

Colours and textures

The colour and texture of your newborn's poop can vary depending on their diet and stage of development. Here's a guide to help you understand what's normal and when to be concerned:

Meconium

Meconium is the first stool passed by a newborn, usually within the first 24 hours of life. It is typically thick, black, and tarry-looking, resembling sticky tar. This is completely normal and is composed of materials ingested by the baby while in the uterus.

Transitional Stools

After the meconium has passed, you'll notice transitional stools, which are dark greenish-yellow and loose, sometimes with a seedy texture, especially in breastfed infants. These stools may contain mucus or traces of blood due to the baby swallowing blood during delivery. This usually clears up within three to four days.

Breastfed Babies

If your baby is breastfed, their poop will often be mustard-like in colour and consistency. It can range from loose and watery to seedy, mushy, or curdy. The texture may be very seed-like, and the colour can vary from yellow to brown or greenish. It is normal for breastfed babies to have at least one poopy diaper for each day of their life during the first five days. After this, you can expect about five dirty diapers a day, but anywhere from several per day to one every two to three days is also normal.

Formula-Fed Babies

Formula-fed babies' poop is usually soft but more formed than that of breastfed babies. The colour can range from pale yellow to yellowish-brown, light brown, or brownish-green. Formula-fed infants typically poop three to four times a day, but some may go as long as three to four days without a bowel movement. As long as the stools are soft and passed without a struggle, there is no cause for concern.

Solid Foods

Once your baby starts eating solid foods, usually between four and six months old, their poop colours may change again. The introduction of new foods can result in a variety of colours and textures in their stools.

When to Be Concerned

While most variations in colour and texture are normal, there are a few instances where you should contact your pediatrician:

• Red or black stools: These colours could indicate bleeding.
• White or clay-coloured stools: This may be a sign of a liver problem or a stomach bug.
• Hard, pebbly, or thick stools: This could be a sign of constipation.
• Thin, watery stools, or the presence of mucus: This may indicate diarrhoea.

What to do if your newborn isn't pooping

The frequency of a newborn's bowel movements can be an indicator of their overall health. It's important to monitor your baby's pooping pattern and be aware of any sudden changes. Here's what to do if your newborn isn't pooping:

Understand what's normal

It's normal for newborns to have varying stool frequencies. In the first few days after birth, newborns pass a substance called meconium, which is thick, dark green or brown. After this, the frequency of pooping decreases. Until about 6 weeks of age, most newborns will pass stool 2-5 times per day, typically after every meal. From 6 weeks to 3 months of age, it's common for babies to poop less frequently, sometimes only once a day or even once a week. Breastfed babies may have fewer bowel movements than formula-fed babies.

Check for signs of constipation

Constipation is typically characterised by hard, pebble-like stools. However, it's important to note that constipation isn't just about frequency but also the ease of passing stools. If your baby seems uncomfortable or is straining to pass stools, they may be constipated.

Monitor for other signs of inadequate food intake

If your baby is not receiving enough food, they may have fewer bowel movements, produce fewer wet diapers, and show signs of dehydration, such as dry lips or sunken eyes.

Look out for other health indicators

Monitor your baby's overall health by checking for other signs such as unusual stool colour, which could indicate an underlying health problem. Healthy poop is typically light yellow, brown, or greenish. Specks of black blood in the stool may be due to breastfeeding with cracked nipples, while red blood could indicate a more serious issue. White, clay-coloured, or grey stools could be a sign of digestion problems or liver conditions.

Consult your doctor

If your baby hasn't pooped in 3-5 days, consult your doctor. They may recommend home remedies such as adding prune or pear juice to your baby's bottle or trying a different formula. In some cases, they may suggest over-the-counter medications or laxatives, but these should only be used under medical advice.

When to call the doctor

• If your baby hasn't pooped in four days, contact your doctor. This could be a sign of constipation.
• If you see blood in your baby's poop, call your doctor. This could indicate allergies or bleeding in their gastrointestinal tract.
• If your baby has black poop after their very first poops (meconium), it could be a sign of stomach bleeding. Check the stool under a bright light. If it's black, call your doctor.
• White or light grey baby poop could signal a liver condition and that your baby isn't digesting food properly.
• If your baby has very loose or watery stools for three or more diapers, this could lead to dehydration.
• Hard, pellet-like stools could be a sign of constipation. Never give your infant laxatives, enemas, suppositories or other stool stimulators without asking your doctor first.
• If your baby shows signs of inadequate nutrition, such as irregular or infrequent pooping, contact a lactation counsellor.
• If your baby shows any of the following signs, seek professional care and advice:
• Signs of dehydration
• Diarrhoea lasting longer than 24 hours
• A fever of at least 102°F
• Stool containing pus or blood
• Irritability and sleepiness
• Sunken cheeks or eyes
• A depression or dip in the soft spot on the top of their head
• If your baby has constipation that hasn't responded to home treatment or is accompanied by abdominal pain or discomfort, call your doctor.
• If your baby passes black poop or more than one blood-tinged stool, they should see a doctor.
• If your baby has diarrhoea, persistent constipation, or blood-tinged stools, contact your doctor.
• If you think your baby may not be receiving adequate nutrition, a lactation counsellor can help.

Frequently asked questions