When pregnant, a woman has a period of 9 months to prepare and try to learn about her new post-partum routine. And something that’s almost certain to bring up questions is baby poop. Unfortunately, there is no manual or rule that defines what normal baby poop is. That’s because it depends on age, feeding method, and how frequently the baby eats. In addition, over the first year of life, poop will go through a series of changes and can look different in appearance, color, and texture, as well as how often diapers will need changing.
The first poop usually scares parents because it has a dark, gelatinous, greenish appearance, similar to car oil, and is called meconium. Meconium is the residue of all the amniotic fluid that the baby was swallowing in the last days while still inside the uterus, just waiting for their organs to mature enough to expel it1. It is passed about 3 to 4 days after birth and becomes lighter with the introduction of breast milk.
Usually, the poop of a baby who is breastfed is yellow or greenish, liquid, and may have some small lumps. It doesn’t have a strong fecal odor, but rather a distinctive “baby poop” smell that moms soon learn to identify2.
However, if a breastfed baby’s stool comes out looking very green for a period of time, it may be a sign the baby isn’t feeding properly. After the colostrum phase ends, the milk becomes fattier and richer, so it’s necessary for the mother to let the baby fully empty one breast before offering the other. As for frequency, breastfed babies often poop after each feed, but it’s also considered normal for them to go up to 3 days without pooping.
The poop of babies who are formula-fed usually has a pasty texture and brown color. It smells stronger than breastfed stools and often contains small “granules” in its consistency. The frequency is typically once per day, but it’s also normal for formula-fed babies to go 3 to 4 days without pooping, as long as it isn’t very hard when it does happen.
At the start of pediatric follow-up, it is usually recommended to add some supplements, such as iron supplementation, to support the baby’s health. After starting these vitamins, parents might be surprised by baby poop that is very dark, almost black, with yellowish lumps mixed in.
This color is a result of iron intake and is totally normal. But if your baby is not taking supplements and their poop is coming out with this color and consistency, you should see a doctor. That’s because, in some cases, poop can become darker due to the presence of blood mixed with the stool.
Baby Poop After the Introduction of New Foods
Don’t be surprised if you find pieces of food in your baby’s poop, because as their intestines are still very fast-moving and they poop several times a day, it’s not always possible for digestion to be 100% complete3. It’s normal to see chunks, lumps, and even poop that smells like the food the baby ate, such as papaya or beets, which leave a very characteristic odor.
However, be alert if you frequently see pieces of food in your baby’s stool, as it could be a sign that the intestines are not functioning properly and the body is not absorbing the necessary nutrients, which could lead to anemia. It’s also possible for your baby’s poop to come out in little balls due to constipation and dry stools. This is common when formula is introduced or with new foods, causing pain when passing stool and sometimes even bleeding from the anus. Constipation can also be a sign of intolerance to milk or its substances, and a pediatrician should be consulted to check.
Once new foods are introduced, parents should get used to dealing with poop that increasingly looks like that of an adult. After all, in a few months everyone will be eating the same food.
See also: Meconium – Baby’s First Poop
Photos: John Flinchbaugh
