Breastfeeding And Newborn Poop: What's Normal?

Newborns have very different bathroom habits compared to adults, and this can be a cause of concern for new parents. In fact, it's normal for a newborn to poop after every feed, and this can happen up to 12 times a day. Breastfed babies tend to poop more frequently than formula-fed babies, and their poop is usually softer and more liquid. The colour of a newborn's poop can also vary, from mustard yellow to green, brown or black.

Frequency of newborn poop

The frequency of a newborn's bowel movements can vary significantly and is dependent on several factors, including the method of feeding and the age of the newborn.

Breastfed newborns typically have several bowel movements each day, with some sources stating that it is normal for newborns to have up to five to twelve bowel movements per day. This is because breastfed babies tend to poop more frequently than formula-fed infants. Formula-fed newborns may have fewer bowel movements, with some sources stating that it is normal for formula-fed infants to have three to four bowel movements per day.

After the first few weeks, the frequency of newborn poop typically decreases. From six weeks onwards, it is common for breastfed babies to skip a day or two between bowel movements, with some babies even going three days without a bowel movement. This is usually not a cause for concern, provided the baby is maintaining a healthy weight.

Factors affecting the frequency of newborn poop

The frequency of newborn poop can be influenced by various factors, including:

• Age: As newborns get older, the frequency of their bowel movements tends to decrease.
• Diet: Changes in the newborn's diet, such as switching from breast milk to formula or introducing solid foods, can affect the frequency of their bowel movements.
• Health: The frequency of a newborn's bowel movements can be an indicator of their overall health and nutrition. Irregular or infrequent bowel movements can be a sign that the baby is not getting enough food, especially if they are breastfed.

Colour of newborn poop

The colour of a newborn's poop can vary depending on their diet, age, and health. Here's a guide to help you understand the different colours of poop and what they might indicate:

Meconium

Meconium is the name given to a newborn's first poop. It is usually thick, black, and tarry-looking, resembling motor oil. This is completely normal and is composed of mucus, amniotic fluid, dead cells, and other substances ingested in the womb.

Breastfed Babies

After the initial meconium phase, breastfed babies typically have poop that is greenish-yellow or yellow with a seedy texture. It may be runny and resemble mustard or diarrhoea, but this is normal. The colour may vary depending on the mother's diet, with some babies having greener poop if their mother ate something different. Breastfed babies' poop usually has a slightly sweet smell.

Formula-Fed Babies

Formula-fed babies tend to have thicker, pasty, peanut butter-like poop that is brown, tan, or yellow-brown in colour. It may also be slightly greenish-brown. Formula-fed babies' poop is often more pungent than that of breastfed babies.

Solid Foods

Once solid foods are introduced, babies' poop becomes browner and thicker, resembling adult stool. It also becomes smellier and may vary in consistency depending on what the baby has eaten.

Red Poop

Red poop is usually caused by red food or medicine. However, it can also be a sign of blood in the stool, which may indicate allergies or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. If you see blood in your baby's poop, consult a doctor.

Dark Green Poop

Dark green poop is typically caused by bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. It is important to inspect dark green poop closely to ensure it is not black, as black poop after the initial meconium phase could indicate stomach bleeding.

White or Light Grey Poop

White or light grey poop is the one colour that should almost always be a cause for concern. It could indicate a liver condition or that the baby is not digesting food properly. Consult a doctor if you notice this colour in your baby's poop.

In summary, while the colour of a newborn's poop can vary and is usually nothing to worry about, certain colours, such as red, black, or white, may indicate a potential health issue and should be monitored or discussed with a healthcare professional.

Consistency of newborn poop

The consistency of a newborn's poop can vary depending on their diet and age. Here's what you need to know:

Meconium

The first stool of a newborn is called meconium, which is thick, black, and tarry in appearance. This is completely normal and consists of everything ingested by the infant in the womb, including amniotic fluid, mucus, bile, and skin cells.

Breastfed Babies

Breastfed babies typically have softer and more liquid stools than formula-fed infants. Their poop is often described as soft, runny, or watery, resembling mustard or diarrhoea. It may also contain small, white, seed-like particles. This consistency is normal and is due to the high amount of liquid in breast milk.

Formula-Fed Babies

Formula-fed babies tend to have slightly firmer stools than breastfed infants. Their poop is often described as pasty and may be more yellow-green or tan in colour.

Solid Foods

As your baby starts eating solid foods, their poop will become browner and smellier, resembling adult stool. The colour may vary depending on what they eat, with orange or green tinges possible.

Warning Signs

In general, as long as your baby's poop is soft, there is usually no cause for concern. However, if you notice hard, dry, or pellet-like stools, this could be a sign of constipation. Other warning signs include:

• Infrequent stools (less than three bowel movements a day for the first six weeks)
• Watery stools for three or more diapers, which could lead to dehydration
• Black, bloody, or green frothy stools, which may indicate an illness
• Pale or white stools, which could indicate a liver problem

If you notice any of these warning signs, it is important to consult your paediatrician or healthcare provider.

Smell of newborn poop

The smell of newborn poop is often far sweeter than you might expect, with some parents reporting that their infant's stool smells like hay, porridge, or even popcorn. This is especially true for breastfed babies, whose poop tends to have a milder scent than formula-fed babies. In general, the longer the stool sits in the baby's intestines, the more it will smell.

Once your baby starts eating solid foods, their poop will become smellier and start to resemble adult stool. Introducing solid foods can also cause a change in the colour of your baby's poop, and you may notice certain hard-to-digest foods passing straight through.

While a slight change in the colour or texture of your baby's poop is usually nothing to worry about, very sour- or foul-smelling baby poop can be a sign of a food allergy or intolerance. If you think your baby's bowel movements are exceptionally smelly, talk to your pediatrician.

What to do if your newborn is not pooping

It's normal for newborn babies to have irregular poop patterns as their bodies are still adjusting to feeding and digestion. However, if your newborn is not pooping, there are several things you can do to help them.

Firstly, it's important to monitor their feeding and weight gain. Ensure that your baby is feeding as expected and gaining weight at a healthy rate (approximately 1 to 2 pounds per month). If your baby is not feeding well or is struggling to gain weight, contact your healthcare provider.

Secondly, observe the consistency of their stool. Newborns who are breastfed or chestfed may not poop every day, as their bodies efficiently use breast milk for nutrition, leaving little waste. However, if your baby's stool becomes hard, dry, or difficult to pass, they may be constipated. In this case, there are several remedies you can try:

• Offer your baby 1 to 2 ounces of 100% fruit juice (pear, prune, cherry, or apple) once a day. Discontinue the juice if their stools become too loose.
• If your baby is eating solid foods, feed them pureed pears, peaches, or prunes, which can help with constipation.
• Try giving your baby oatmeal, wheat, or barley cereal instead of rice cereal, as rice cereal can sometimes cause constipation.
• Give your baby a warm bath or gently move their legs in a cycling motion to stimulate their bowels.
• Consult your baby's healthcare provider about using a glycerin suppository, which can be placed in the baby's anus to help stimulate a bowel movement.

If your newborn baby is under six weeks old and is not pooping at all, or if they are of any age and have been constipated for longer than five to seven days, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Additionally, if you notice any blood in your baby's stool or if they appear to be in pain, seek medical advice.

Frequently asked questions