If you are a fresh-out-the-oven parent, you probably didn’t expect that you’d search for a baby stool color chart on the Internet.
Yes, my dear parent, baby stool color can help us keep track of our little ones’ health and development.
More experienced mommies and daddies already know that every pediatrician asks one main question: “What’s your baby’s stool color?”
They even give recommendations and prepare us for what stool color you should expect in your baby linked with different conditions.
So without further ado, let’s get poopy, and discover what details hide behind our baby stool color chart.
Baby’s Stool Color Guide
A baby’s stool can have a strange color, and you should expect frequent changes in the first few weeks.
It is good to know that the stool color depends on how babies are fed. For example, breastfed babies have different stool colors from the formula baby.
A baby’s stool color can also be an indicator of medical conditions, use of medicaments, response to food, and such.
Is it Normal for Baby Poop to Change Color?
Here is a question for new parents: Have you ever thought why your newborn’s poopy mess is so… weird?
Well, according to medical professionals, baby poop is rather different than normal stool, and can vary in color and texture.
So, I don’t want to sound like a poop expert but don’t be freaked out if your baby’s poop isn’t as cute as your little one.
Newborn Poop Frequency
Newborns can have a pretty strange pooping cycle. But formula-fed babies should let one go at least once a day.
If your formula-fed baby doesn’t poop at least once a day, then it isn’t getting enough food. So, grab that bottle!
As for breastfed babies, they can go on without releasing themselves for a few days. But when is it too much?
Consult a medical expert (preferably a pediatrician) if your cutie pie goes without pooping for a week or more.
Baby Stool Color Chart
Now it’s time to discuss what your baby’s stool color means and deeply analyze our baby stool color chart. Let’s go!
· Black Stool
The first type of poop you have to take on in battle actually has a name. It’s called meconium and it’s black and sticky!
To your relief, it’s not smelly! During the first week, the black colored stool can change into a dark green or yellow color.
If your baby is formula-fed with a formula that contains iron, the black color can last for more than a week.
Otherwise, breastfed babies should stop having black stools after a week. If the color persists, contact your pediatrician because it can be a sign of internal bleeding.
· Yellow Stool
After your baby is done with black poop, the color of its stool should turn yellow. It is a usual color, especially for breastfed babies.
Don’t panic if you notice small flecks on your baby’s yellow poop. They’re just pieces from mommy’s milk.
· Red Stool
One of the more alarming stool colors is red. A baby can have a dark red stool if it consumes typically red food (such as beetroot).
But red stool can also be a sign of intestinal infections, allergies, blood in breast milk, or constipation.
If you notice that your little one has red poop, it’s best to consult a medical expert, such as a pediatrician.
· Green Stool
From my experience, green stool always made me panic when I noticed it on my baby’s diaper. But it isn’t always a sight to worry about.
If the baby is eating more than usual (having in mind that babies slowly digest food), green poop is what you should expect to see.
There are also some other reasons your little one might have green poop. Those include:
- Presence of high-calorie substances in breastmilk;
- Illnesses (such as viruses) if the poop also contains mucus;
- Consuming iron-based formulas;
- Intolerance to foods or specific ingredients;
- Consuming food with a typical green color;
- Not feeding your baby enough milk;
If your baby continues to frequently let out green stool accompanied by mucus, consult a pediatrician.
· Brown and Tan-Yellow Stool
Tan-yellow or brown stool is a sign that your baby is healthy and consumes enough food. In other words, it’s your baby’s way of saying: “Good job!”
The brown color should become persistent when your baby starts eating solid foods or is formula-fed.
· White-Grey Stool
According to medical professionals, a white-grey chalky stool is a major NO. It’s a signal that something is not right with your baby.
Most commonly, a white stool is caused by a dangerous blockage in the liver called biliary atresia.
If you notice white-grey stool in your baby, immediately consult a medical professional! Timely diagnosis can save you from many problems.
· Formula-Fed Baby Stool
Unfortunately, not every mom is blessed with the ability to breastfeed her baby. The only other option is formulas.
Typically, formula-fed babies can have orange or brown stools. If the formula contains iron, the shade of the stool will be darker.
A formula-fed baby can also release themselves of yellowish-brown or green-brown stool. A beautiful collage of poop colors!
· Baby Poop With Mucus
A stool filled with a little mucus isn’t a sign of a dangerous condition. It’s a normal physiological response to the food your baby digests.
But, if your baby’s stool contains a lot of mucus, which is persistent, consult a doctor since it can be a sign of infections or allergies.
When Should I be Concerned About my Baby’s Stool Color
We already presented to you our baby stool color chart. But, let’s summarise when you should be concerned about your baby’s stool color.
So, keep an eye out for the following types of stool color since they can be a sign of a serious medical condition in your baby:
- Red stool;
- White-grey stool;
- Black, tarry stool over a longer period;
- Poop with a lot of mucus;
If you notice one of these poop colors in your baby, immediately contact your pediatrician. Early diagnosis is the best.
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