Baby poop colors: what is normal and when to call the doctor

Most of what you'll see in your baby's diaper is normal. The first poop, meconium, is sticky and greenish-black. After a few days it turns yellow or mustard. Breastfed poop is runny, formula poop is firmer and smellier, and green, yellow, tan and brown are all usual shades.

A few colors need a doctor the same day: white, pale gray or pale creamy poop, red blood, and black poop once the meconium days are over. This guide walks through each stage, how often babies poop, and when a change needs help.

What should my newborn's poop look like in the first week?

The NHS describes the first poop, meconium, as sticky and greenish-black. It may come during or after birth, or some time in the first 48 hours. The AAP calls it black and tarry looking, and expected. After a few days, poop changes to a yellow or mustard color.

A Norfolk NHS community health service publishes this day-by-day guide for breastfed babies:

The NHS breastfeeding guidance says breastfed babies aged 4 days to 6 weeks should pass at least 2 yellow poops a day. If there's been no poop for 24 to 48 hours, speak to your midwife or pediatrician, as it can mean your baby isn't getting enough milk. The Norfolk service also says to tell your midwife or health visitor if there are fewer diapers than the table shows.

If your baby hasn't passed meconium within 48 hours of birth, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby advises seeing a doctor.

What does normal breastfed and formula-fed poop look like?

The NHS describes breastfed poop as runny with no smell, and formula poop as firmer, darker brown and smellier. The AAP calls mustardy yellow the usual breastfed color and yellow-tan with hints of green the usual formula color. The NHS adds that some formulas can turn poop dark green.

The AAP considers all the shades of yellow, brown and green that follow meconium acceptable. The colors to act on are white or pale, red and black.

How often should a baby poop?

The range of normal is wide, and it changes with age and feeding:

• First week: The NHS says babies do 2 or more poops a day in the first week.
• Breastfed babies: They may poop at every feed in the early weeks. After about 6 weeks, some go several days without one. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says some breastfed newborns poop up to 7 times a day, while others poop only once every 7 to 10 days.
• Formula-fed babies: The NHS says they may poop up to 5 times a day as newborns, often dropping to about once a day after a few months. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says formula-fed babies usually poop every 1 to 2 days.
• By 1 year: The NHS gives an average of 2 a day.

The NHS says a baby isn't constipated if their poops are soft, even after a few days without one. Straining, going red and crying before a soft poop is also common. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby says healthy babies under 9 months often do this, and it isn't constipation unless the poop is hard. See constipation for hard poops.

How does poop change when my baby starts solids?

The AAP's starting solids page says poop becomes more solid and variable in color, with a much stronger smell. Peas and other green vegetables can turn it deep green, and beetroot can make it red. Pieces of undigested food, such as pea or corn skins, are normal.

If poop becomes extremely loose, watery or full of mucus, the AAP suggests cutting back on solids, introducing them more slowly, and talking to your doctor if it continues. Our starting solids guide covers first foods.

Which poop colors mean I should call the doctor?

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne (RCH) also says to take your child to a doctor if their poop is white, red or black.

White or pale poop

The AAP says white poop is rare but needs a doctor's attention as soon as possible, because it can come from a liver problem. One cause is biliary atresia, where the bile ducts are blocked. AAP HealthyChildren says it's rare, and affected babies usually look healthy at birth. Jaundice and pale poop typically develop by 4 to 6 weeks of age.

Liver UK says the operation used to treat it is best done in the first 2 to 3 months of life. The NHS jaundice page asks for an urgent doctor or midwife appointment if a baby's poop is pale or their pee is dark yellow or brown. Ask to be seen the same day, and take a photo or the diaper with you.

Black poop

Black poop in the first few days is meconium. The AAP explains that blood darkens to black as it moves through the gut, so black poop after the meconium stage is worth checking. The Norfolk NHS service advises a doctor check for black poop after the first 5 days.

Red streaks or blood

The AAP says any amount of blood in a baby's poop should be checked, though it isn't a reason to panic. The NHS reflux page lists blood in poop as a reason for an urgent doctor appointment. Remember that beetroot can make poop red once solids start. If there's more than a streak of blood, or your baby is vomiting, has a swollen tummy, is pale or floppy, or seems unwell, call 911.

Jaundice after 2 weeks

The NHS says newborn jaundice usually takes around 2 weeks to go. If your baby still looks yellow after that, call your doctor or pediatrician today to arrange a check. If the poop is pale or the pee is dark, ask to be seen today. See newborn jaundice.

Is it diarrhea, and when is it dangerous?

Breastfed poop is naturally runny, so what matters is a change. The NHS says to talk to your doctor if poop becomes very watery, very smelly or harder than usual, particularly if there's blood in it.

The RCH gastroenteritis fact sheet says babies under 6 months are at higher risk of dehydration. It advises:

• Keep breastfeeding, and feed more often.
• See a doctor if a baby under 6 months is vomiting or has a fever with gastro.
• See a doctor for 8 to 10 watery poops a day, blood in the poop, or diarrhea lasting more than 10 days.
• Go to hospital if your child can't keep fluids down and has several signs of dehydration.
• Call 911 if your child is very lethargic or hard to wake.
• Don't give over-the-counter medicines that reduce vomiting or diarrhea, as they may be harmful for children.

The RCH dehydration fact sheet says any baby under 6 months with signs of dehydration should see a doctor. Signs include fewer wet diapers, darker pee and a dry mouth. See dehydration signs.

When should I get help for a poop problem?

These tiers match our when to call the doctor guide.

Call 911 now if:

• There's more than a streak of blood, or black tarry poop, and your baby is vomiting, has a swollen tummy, or is pale, floppy or unwell.
• Your baby has green or yellow vomit.
• Your baby is very sleepy and hard to wake, or has had no wet diaper for 12 hours.
• Your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C or more.

Get medical help today if:

• Poop is white, pale gray or pale creamy, or pee is dark in a jaundiced baby.
• There's blood in the poop, or black poop after the meconium days.
• A baby under 6 months has diarrhea with vomiting or fever, or any sign of dehydration.
• A newborn has had no poop for 24 to 48 hours in the first 6 weeks.

Talk to your doctor or pediatrician if:

• Poops are hard, dry or pellet-like, or your baby seems to be in pain passing them.
• Green poop comes with feeding worries or slow weight gain.
• Loose or mucus-filled poops keep happening after starting solids.

What is worth noting about your baby's poop?

A short note of the time, color, texture and amount, plus wet diapers, helps you spot a change from your baby's usual pattern. A clear photo of an unusual diaper is often more useful to a doctor or nurse than a description. If you notice a red-flag color, get help first and write things down later.