Poop Consistency: Understanding Your Newborn's Health

what different poop consistency means newborn

A newborn's first poop is called meconium, which is a sticky, tar-like substance that is black or greenish-black in colour. This is normal and is made up of amniotic fluid, bile, mucus, lanugo, skin cells, and more. After the first few days, the colour of the poop will transition to yellow and seedy, resembling mustard. Breastfed babies tend to have softer, mustard-like poop, while formula-fed babies have slightly more solid poop, which is darker in colour. As the baby grows and starts eating solid foods, their poop will become more solid and formed, and also smellier.

Characteristics Values
First type of poop Meconium
Meconium colour Dark, sticky, tarry, greenish-black
Meconium transition colour Yellow and seedy
Breastfed baby poop colour Yellowish, golden, mustard yellow, green, orange
Breastfed baby poop consistency Soft, smooth, mushy, creamy, loose, unformed, runny, seedy, curdy
Formula-fed baby poop colour Tan, Brown, greenish-brown, yellowish-brown, yellow-brown
Formula-fed baby poop consistency Thicker, firmer, peanut butter-like, toothpaste-like
Solid food baby stool colour Brown, dark brown
Solid food baby stool consistency Thicker than peanut butter, mushy
Baby stool with partially digested food colour Red, orange, dark blue
Baby stool with mucus colour Green
Constipated baby poop colour N/A
Constipated baby poop consistency Hard, pebble-like
Chalky or white baby poop colour White, grey, pale yellow

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Meconium, a newborn's first poop, is a sticky, tarry, greenish-black substance

Meconium: A Newborn's First Poop

Meconium is a newborn's first bowel movement and it doesn't look like any poop you're used to! It is a sticky, tarry, greenish-black substance. It is made up of a mixture of amniotic fluid, bile, mucus, lanugo (the fine hair that covers a baby's body), skin cells, and more.

Meconium is darker and thicker than typical poop and extremely sticky. It builds up inside a baby's intestines from swallowing amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds and cushions them inside the uterus). Ideally, a baby passes meconium shortly after birth, but in some cases, a fetus will pass this substance before it is born. While swallowing meconium in the uterus isn't harmful, breathing it in can cause serious complications.

Meconium is thick and sticky, resembling tar or sludge. It is blackish-green in colour and has almost no odour. This is because, at birth, a baby has almost no gut bacteria, and bacteria are what makes poop stinky.

In a baby's first 24 to 48 hours, expect to see meconium in at least one diaper. After this, the sticky poop will give way to more "normal"-looking baby poops.

Most of the time, a baby's first poop will be passed within 24 hours of birth. Sometimes it can take up to 48 hours for a newborn to produce a dirty diaper. If it's taking any longer, further evaluation may be needed.

This is called meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) and occurs in 8% to 15% of all deliveries. It is more common when a baby is overdue or stressed by low oxygen levels or infections. It can also be caused by a long, hard delivery, maternal health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure, or smoking or drug use during pregnancy.

When the bag of water breaks, the fluid is usually clear. But the amniotic fluid will be greenish if a baby passed meconium before or during birth. Even a baby's fingernails can get stained a little green!

It can be. If a baby poops inside, a healthcare provider will immediately suction the meconium out of their mouth and nose with a bulb syringe. If a baby has poor muscle tone and trouble breathing, these are signs they may have breathed meconium into their lungs before, during, or even after birth. They will be taken to a radiant warmer for treatment.

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Mustard yellow, seedy, and soft stool is typical for breastfed babies

The first poop of a newborn is called meconium, which is a sticky, greenish-black tar-like substance that gradually filled the baby's intestines in the womb. This will pass within the first day or two of life. After the meconium, the baby's stool will transition to a mustard yellow, green, or brown colour. The consistency will be loose, even watery, and sometimes seedy, mushy, curdy, creamy, pasty, or lumpy. It will also have a sweet smell, unlike the usual odour of bowel movements.

Breastfed babies have a lot of variety in the frequency of their bowel movements. They typically poop after each feeding, but the frequency can decrease as they get older. As long as the stool is soft and not hard, it is not constipation.

The colour and consistency of newborn poop vary depending on whether the baby is breastfed or formula-fed. Formula-fed newborn poop is thicker and more fully formed, usually with a stronger odour.

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Formula-fed babies tend to have thicker, darker yellow, brown, or greenish-brown poop

The consistency and colour of a newborn's poop can be a good indicator of their health and development. Formula-fed babies tend to have thicker, darker yellow, brown, or greenish-brown poop. This is because formula is slightly harder to digest than breast milk, so some of its ingredients pass through the baby's digestive system. As such, formula-fed babies tend to have firmer stools that are more pungent than those of breastfed babies.

Formula-fed babies' poop colour can range from tan-brown to yellow-brown or even greenish-brown. The darker yellow or brown colour of formula-fed babies' poop is due to the slower movement of stool through their intestines. This is in contrast to breastfed babies, whose poop is typically mustard-yellow, soft, and seedy. Formula-fed babies' poop may also be slightly darker and firmer than that of breastfed babies.

The consistency of formula-fed babies' poop is often described as being similar to peanut butter or toothpaste. It is important to note that formula-fed babies may experience constipation if they strain during bowel movements and have infrequent, hard stools. In such cases, it is recommended to consult a doctor to address any potential allergies or try switching to another brand of formula.

Additionally, the frequency of bowel movements in formula-fed babies may vary. While they typically poop at least once a day, some may go up to three or four times daily, especially in the first few months. On the other hand, some formula-fed infants may only poop once every few days, which is still considered normal as long as they are gaining weight and appear healthy.

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Red, black, or white baby poop may indicate bleeding, older blood, or a liver issue, respectively

The colour of a newborn's poop can vary and may be indicative of their health. Red, black, or white baby poop, in particular, may indicate bleeding, older blood, or a liver issue.

Red Poop

Red baby poop could be caused by red food and drink such as tomato juice or beets. It could also be caused by red-coloured medications such as amoxicillin or cefdinir. However, it could also be indicative of intestinal infection or milk allergies. If you are unsure, it is recommended to call your child's pediatrician.

Black Poop

Black baby poop is normal in newborns younger than 1 week old. This is known as meconium, which is a newborn's first stool. Meconium is a thick, black stool comprising cells, amniotic fluid, bile, and mucus that the baby ingested while in the womb. If black stool persists after 1 week, it is important to seek medical advice as it could indicate bleeding in the digestive system.

White Poop

White baby poop could indicate that your baby's liver is not producing enough bile to help them digest food properly. This is a serious concern and should be addressed by a pediatrician.

Yellow Spit-Up: Normal for Newborns?

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Green, orange, yellow, and brown are typical baby poop colours

Typical Baby Poop Colours

Green Poop

Green baby poop is usually caused by bile, a fluid made in the liver that aids digestion. It can also be caused by other factors such as slow digestion (usually because the baby has eaten more than usual), green foods in the diet of the person producing breast milk, a cold or stomach bug, a food allergy or intolerance, antibiotics, or treatment for jaundice.

Orange Poop

Orange poop is more typical for formula-fed babies, but can also occur in breastfed babies. It is caused by pigments picked up in the baby's digestive tract.

Yellow Poop

Yellow baby poop is most common in breastfed babies and tends to be soft, smooth, and mustard-like. It may be dotted with little seed-like flecks and have a slightly sweet smell.

Brown Poop

Brown baby poop is more common in formula-fed babies, who tend to have thicker and darker yellow, brown, or greenish-brown poop.

Frequently asked questions

Green poop is usually normal and can be caused by a variety of factors, including the presence of meconium (a newborn's first poop), the mother's diet, or the baby's formula. However, if the green poop is frothy, it could indicate that the baby is getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk.

White poop could be a sign that the baby's liver isn't functioning properly. It may indicate a problem with the liver or gallbladder and should be evaluated by a doctor.

Red streaks or flecks in the baby's poop could indicate bleeding, which may be caused by a milk protein allergy, anal fissures, or hemorrhoids. It is important to consult a doctor if you notice any blood in the baby's stool.

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