As a new parent, you might be surprised at how much attention baby's poop demands. Yet, it’s one of the simplest ways to monitor your baby’s health and well-being. The colour, texture, and frequency can provide valuable insights into their digestion and overall health.
The colour of your baby’s poop can vary widely and is often influenced by their diet, age, and health. Here’s a baby poop colour chart to guide you:
| Poop Colour | Possible Cause | Should You Worry? |
| Yellow or Mustard | This colour poop is common in breastfed babies. Indicates healthy digestion. | No |
| Green Baby Poop | Can occur due to foremilk imbalance, iron supplements, or mild digestive issues. | Check feeding pattern if persistent. |
| White Baby Poop | If you spot this colour it could indicate a potential sign of liver or gallbladder issues. | Yes. Consult a doctor immediately. |
| Black Baby Poop | Normal in the first few days after birth; otherwise, may indicate blood in the digestive tract. | Yes. Seek medical advice. |
| Brown Baby Poop | This colour poop is typical in formula-fed babies or older babies eating solids. | No |
| Orange Baby Poop | May result from eating certain foods like carrots or sweet potatoes or from bile. | No |
| Red or Streaked with Blood | Could indicate a milk allergy, constipation causing anal fissures, or an infection. | Yes. Consult a doctor. |
| Pale or Clay-Coloured | If you notice pale-coloured poop it may suggest a bile duct blockage or liver issue. | Yes. Seek medical attention. |
Baby poop can come in many textures and types. Monitoring these patterns helps you quickly identify and address potential digestive issues, ensuring your baby’s health and comfort.
Seedy or Mustard-Like: Normal for breastfed babies, often a sign of healthy digestion. This texture is due to the high fat content in breast milk.
Soft and Pasty: Typical in formula-fed babies, as formula takes longer to digest. It may have a tan or light brown colour.
Mucus in Baby Poop: This could indicate an infection or milk allergy. If persistent, consult a doctor to rule out underlying issues.
White Curds in Baby Poop: Undigested milk solids, common in breastfed babies. This is usually harmless and reflects the baby’s immature digestive system.
Constipation in babies is often caused by dietary changes or dehydration. Persistent constipation or discomfort should be consulted with your paediatrician.
Here are some simple remedies you can try:
You can tell your baby is constipated if you notice the following:
Vaccine shots
Try distracting your baby with a toy, song or breastfeeding during their vaccine shot.
Portion size
When your baby starts eating, feed small portions and encourage them to chew their food.
Baby’s routine
Try building a daily schedule for your baby's feeding, napping, and bath times.
Newborn care
Give your baby a warm bath to help relax their bowels.
Develop immunity
Discuss routine care & immunisations with your pediatrician to build your baby’s immunity
Diarrhoea in babies, while concerning, is often treatable. Make sure your baby gets proper hydration, continued breastfeeding, and a balanced diet.
Common symptoms of diarrhoea include:
Potty training is a key milestone in a child’s development. While it can be challenging, starting at the right time helps build confidence and healthy habits in childrenn.
Most babies are ready for potty training between 18 months and 2 years, but every case is different. Look for signs of readiness in your baby, such as:
Potty training can feel like a huge task. With the right approach and a bit of patience, it can become a positive and rewarding experience for both parents and children.
It involves recognising your baby's natural cues to go to the toilet and offering them help. It fosters early communication and helps them understand their bodily functions.
FAQs
A healthy baby poop is soft, easy to pass, and varies in colour from mustard yellow to green. Regularity varies, but most babies poop at least once a day.
Normal baby poop depends on their diet and age. Check for sudden changes in colour, consistency, or frequency, and consult a doctor if you’re unsure.
Newborns tend to poop after every feeding, while older babies usually go once or twice a day. However, some babies may poop less frequently, and this can still be normal.
It should be soft and mushy. Hard or pellet-like stool may indicate constipation, while watery stool could be diarrhoea.
Blood in baby poop can occur due to constipation, a milk allergy, or an infection. If you notice any blood, even in small amounts, consult your paediatrician.
