Newborn Poop: Why Does It Stink So Much?

Newborns' poop can be a cause of concern for many parents, especially when it comes to the colour, texture, and frequency of their bowel movements. However, it's important to remember that there is a wide variation in newborn poop, and what may be considered normal for one baby may not be the same for another. While it's always a good idea to monitor your baby's diapers and keep an eye on their poop's colour, texture, and frequency, here's what you need to know about whether it's normal for your newborn's poop to smell.

Newborn's first poop (meconium)

A newborn's first poop, known as meconium, is typically a dark green, sticky, and thick substance. It is made up of cells, protein, fats, and intestinal secretions like bile. Meconium is usually passed within the first 24 hours after birth and lasts for 24 to 48 hours. During this time, the baby's stool will be black or dark green and sticky or tarry in texture.

After the first few days, the amount of stool is usually correlated with the amount of breast milk or formula the baby consumes. The stool will also start to change colour, transitioning to yellow or brown. The transitional stool is a combination of meconium and the next phase of poop, called milk stools.

Breastfed babies' poop is usually softer and more yellowish in colour, and they may go several days without pooping. On the other hand, formula-fed babies tend to have firmer and darker-coloured poop with a stronger odour.

It is important to note that any colour other than yellow, green, or brown may be a cause for concern. White, red, or black stools could indicate potential health issues and should be discussed with a doctor.

What colour should baby poop be?

The colour of a baby's poop can vary depending on their age, diet, and health. It's important to understand that what is typical for adult poop doesn't apply to babies. Here is a guide to the different colours of baby poop and what they might mean:

Meconium

Meconium is the name for a newborn's first stool. It is usually black, tarry, and sticky, with a greenish hue. It is made up of mucus, skin cells, amniotic fluid, and other particles the baby ingested in the womb. Meconium typically lasts for 24 to 48 hours, after which it should start transitioning to a more typical poop colour.

Breastfed Babies

If your baby is exclusively breastfed, their poop will often be a golden, mustard yellow colour, but it can vary from orange to green. It tends to be loose and unformed, with a mild odour, and may contain curds of milk, known as seeds. The colour of the poop may also be influenced by the mother's diet; for example, eating green vegetables can result in a green tint to the baby's poop.

Formula-Fed Babies

Formula-fed babies typically have firmer poop, with a stronger odour, and a darker yellow, tan, or brown colour. The consistency is often described as being similar to peanut butter or toothpaste.

Red Poop

Red streaks in a baby's poop could be caused by food or medicine dyes. If your baby hasn't ingested anything with red dye, it might be due to streaks of fresh blood, which could indicate constipation or the passing of small, hard poops. It is important to consult a doctor if you notice red streaks in your baby's poop.

Green Poop

Green poop is usually not a cause for concern and can be caused by various factors, including certain medications, green foods in the diet, or normal digestion.

Black Poop

Black poop in older babies could indicate internal bleeding. It is important to consult a doctor to rule out any serious issues.

White Poop

White or clay-coloured poop is rare but could indicate a liver condition or nutrient malabsorption. Consult a doctor if you notice white poop in your baby's diaper.

Transitioning to Solid Foods

Once a baby starts eating solid foods, the colour and consistency of their poop will vary more widely. You may notice undigested food pieces in the stool, as babies tend to process food quickly through their digestive tract.

In summary, a wide range of colours is typical for baby poop, and it can vary depending on the baby's diet, age, and health. Any variation of yellow, green, or brown is generally considered normal. However, red, black, or white poop could indicate a more serious medical issue, and it is recommended to consult a doctor if these colours appear.

Baby poop consistency

Newborn's First Poop (Meconium)

Meconium is the term for a newborn's first few bowel movements. It typically appears as a greenish-black, tarry, and sticky substance. This is normal and is a mixture of amniotic fluid, bile, mucus, lanugo, skin cells, and other substances ingested in the womb. Meconium usually passes within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth.

Breastfed Baby Poop Consistency

Breastfed baby poop is typically softer and looser compared to formula-fed babies. It often appears as a golden, mustard yellow, or greenish color, with a mild odor. The consistency may be similar to Dijon mustard, and it may have a seedy or curdy appearance due to undigested milk fat. Breastfed baby poop tends to be less formed and can range from runny to mushy in texture.

Formula-Fed Baby Poop Consistency

Formula-fed babies tend to have firmer and thicker poop, often described as resembling peanut butter in consistency. The color can vary from tan-brown to yellow-brown or even greenish-brown. Formula-fed baby poop usually has a stronger odor than breastfed baby poop due to the different composition of the stool.

Transitional Stool

Between the third and sixth day of life, as the baby transitions from meconium to milk stools, the poop will become lighter in color, ranging from yellowish-green to greenish-brown or greenish-yellow. This transitional stool indicates that the baby has started digesting early breast milk or formula, and their intestinal tract is functioning properly.

Solid Food Baby Stool

Once solid foods are introduced, baby poop consistency will change again. It will become thicker and browner, resembling more grown-up poop. The consistency can vary depending on the types of solid foods consumed and how well they are chewed and digested.

Constipation and Diarrhea

Excessively hard and dry poop can indicate constipation, which may be due to a lack of fluids, a diet low in fiber, or certain medical conditions. On the other hand, overly soft, watery, or runny poop can be a sign of diarrhea, which may be caused by antibiotics, fruit juice, milk allergies, or viral infections like gastroenteritis.

In summary, baby poop consistency can vary widely and is influenced by factors such as diet, age, and digestive health. It's important to monitor your baby's poop consistency and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or notice any significant changes or abnormalities.

How often should a baby poop?

The frequency of a baby's bowel movements depends on several factors, including their age, diet, and unique digestive system. Here's a detailed guide on what to expect and when to consult a doctor:

Newborns (0-6 Weeks)

During the first few weeks of life, newborns typically have multiple bowel movements per day. Breastfed newborns may have several bowel movements each day, while formula-fed newborns may have fewer. It is common for breastfed newborns to have a bowel movement after each feeding, especially in the early days after birth. This is due to the gastrocolic reflex, which signals the colon to empty when the stomach stretches with food.

On average, breastfed babies in a study had around 3.65 bowel movements per day during the first few weeks, while formula-fed babies had slightly fewer. Most newborns will pass stool about 2-5 times per day, typically after every meal.

Babies (6 Weeks-3 Months)

After the initial weeks, the frequency of bowel movements usually decreases. Many babies in this age range poop only once a day, and some may go as infrequently as once a week. This reduction in frequency is due to the maturing of their intestines and the increasing efficiency of their digestion. As long as the baby maintains a healthy weight and the stool remains soft, this decrease in frequency is typically not a cause for concern.

Babies (4 Months and Older)

As babies approach the 4-month mark and beyond, the frequency of their bowel movements can vary significantly. Some babies may continue to poop multiple times a day, while others may go once a day or even once a week. The introduction of solid foods will also influence the frequency and consistency of their stools, making them firmer and less frequent.

When to Consult a Doctor

While the frequency of bowel movements can vary, there are some signs to watch out for that may indicate a need to consult a doctor:

• Signs of inadequate nutrition: If your baby is not receiving enough food, they may have fewer bowel movements, produce fewer wet diapers, or show signs of dehydration, such as dry lips or sunken eyes.
• Irregular or infrequent pooping: This may be an indication that your baby is not getting enough food, especially if they are breastfed.
• Diarrhea: If your baby has loose, watery stools that last for more than 24 hours, it could be a cause for concern.
• Fever: A fever of 102°F or higher, along with other symptoms, may warrant a call to the doctor.
• Bloody stools: If you notice blood in your baby's stool, it could be a sign of irritation or a more serious issue, and you should consult a doctor.
• Constipation: If your baby is straining, crying, or showing signs of discomfort during bowel movements, they may be constipated. Hard or dried-out stools are another indication of constipation.
• Abdominal pain: If your baby is experiencing abdominal pain or discomfort, it could be a sign of an underlying issue.
• Unusual stool colour: Stool that is white, grey, or black after the initial meconium passing could indicate a problem with digestion or internal bleeding.
• Mucus in stool: If you see a large amount of mucus or water in your baby's stool, it could be a sign of infection or intolerance, and you should consult a doctor.
• Sudden changes: Keep track of your baby's typical pooping pattern, as a sudden change can indicate a health problem.

When to call the doctor

While newborn poop can vary in colour, texture, and frequency, there are some instances where you should call the doctor.

Colour

• Red: Red stools indicate bleeding, which may be caused by a milk protein allergy, or a problem like haemorrhoids or anal fissures.
• Black: Black stools indicate older blood from a source higher in the GI tract, such as bleeding from the oesophagus or swallowed blood from the mother's nipple.
• White: White stools could mean that the baby's liver is not producing enough bile to break down and digest food properly.

Frequency

• If your newborn has not had a bowel movement in the first 24 hours after birth, contact your healthcare provider.
• If your baby has not pooped in four days, this could be a sign of constipation, so call your doctor.
• If your baby is 1 month or older and is constipated (no pooping, or hard stool), you can try giving them apple or pear juice (1 ounce a day for every month of life). If this doesn't help after a day or two, call your doctor.

Consistency

• If your baby's poop is extremely foul-smelling, it may mean they are allergic to something they have eaten. If a strong odour persists over several days, contact your doctor.
• If your baby is crying with each stool and this persists, call your doctor as it may be a sign of harder stools or a problem with the anatomy of the rectum.
• If your baby has very loose or watery stools for three or more diapers, this could lead to dehydration, so call your doctor.
• If your baby has hard, pellet-like stools, this is a sign of constipation and you should call your doctor.
• If you see mucus in your baby's poop, this can be a sign of infection or improper digestion, so call your doctor.

Other

• If your baby is bleeding while pooping, call your doctor.
• If your baby's stool changes dramatically after you introduce a new food, this may signal a food allergy, so call your doctor.
• If your baby has diarrhoea and symptoms of dehydration (e.g. dry lips, sunken eyes, or a sunken fontanel), call your doctor immediately.

Frequently asked questions