The Scoop on Babies’
Poop
When it comes to your baby’s poop also known as bowel movements (BMs), there
is no “normal” number or schedule. The number, color, and texture of BMs vary
greatly in the same baby and between babies of similar age.
Common patterns:
Newborns
(Birth – 1 month)
The first bowel
movements babies
have are thick and
dark green or black
in color.
A formula fed baby
usually has yellowish to
tan BMs that are the
texture of peanut butter.
A breast fed
baby’s BMs will
become yellowish,
loose, and “seedy”
in texture.
As long as your baby is feeding well and wetting his/her diaper well 6 times per day,
there is no need to be concerned if your baby goes a day or more without a BM.
After the newborn period
(1 month – 12 months)
The color of the BMs depends on a variety
of things, including what a breastfeeding
mom is eating, the type of formula, and
how often and how much baby is fed.
The number of BMs may
decrease. It is possible for babies
not to have a BM for 1 week and
then have a normal soft BM.
Iron supplements
may cause the BM
to appear black or
dark green.
You should not worry about the color of the BM unless it is black, red, or white.
Starting solids
Rice cereal may
cause BMs to be
more formed.
Beets may
cause BMs to
be red.
Spinach, peas,
and green beans
may cause BMs to
be green.
Carrots and sweet
potatoes may
cause BMs to be
orange.
BMs will firm up, but will also change texture based on what the baby is eating.
How can I tell if my baby is
ti
t d?
Constipation is having hard, dry
BMs that are formed or come out
in pellets.
There is no need to be concerned
about constipation as long as the
BMs are soft.
These behaviors remind us that it is difficult to have a BM while lying down.
Give 1-2
ounces of
prune or
pear juice
twice each
day.
If over 4 months old,
add baby foods with a
high fiber content, such
as prunes, peaches,
pears, plums, peas, or
spinach twice a day.
Never use
enemas, laxatives,
suppositories, or
try to remove the
BM without talking
to your Primary
Care Provider.
How can I tell if my baby has diarrhea?
Diarrhea is very watery stool that may be
clear, yellow, green, or brown in color.
Diarrhea usually smells very bad.
Having BMs more than usual is not always a sign of diarrhea
If your baby is vomiting
If your baby is
having hard, dry
BMs that are
formed or come
out in pellets.
If your baby’s
BMs are black,
red, white, or
mucousy.
If your baby is having
frequent, watery BMs
Graphics and illustrations created by Rachael Gano.
This material may not be reproduced for commercial use, however; it may be reproduced by health care professionals to distribute to patients.