Baby Poop Color Texture & What it Means

Baby poop color and texture can tell us a lot about how they are doing. It is a reflection of their diet, health and overall well being, needless to say it is important to track and know what different colors, textures, and consistency mean and when to or not to worry as some could point to an infection or underlying health condition. Let us look at baby poopology in detail.

Different poop colors and causes for it:

Black

Newborn's first poop called Meconium is black thick tar like without any smell and is made up of amniotic fluid, mucus, bile and other things the baby ingested in the womb. Gradually over 3 days the color changes from black to dark green and finally yellow as the baby feeds and flushes it out.

Orange / Brown

It is quite common color for baby poop after starting solids as the food they eat can color the poop, also formula fed babies usually have a orangish or brownish poop compared to breast fed. Even mom's diet and medications can influence the breast fed baby poop color. In most cases it's not a cause for concern.

Dark Green

Usually all shades of green are no cause for concern as iron in formula or mothers diet and even supplements can cause it. Babies on solids can have greenish poop based on what they eat and sometimes allergic reactions to food or stomach bug can cause this. Keep an eye out for diarrhoea and if it doesn't get better over a couple of days see your doctor.

Chalky White

Although rare, might be caused if the liver or gall bladder are not functioning properly. If you see white poop talk to your doctor immediately.

Red

Red colored stools could be caused medications or solids the baby ate like beets, carrots or some red fruits and not a cause for concern in this case. Tiny red flecks could be spotted if constipated or allergic to certain foods or from mothers cracked nipples and usually nothing to worry unless it gets worse. Dark red bloody stools are a cause for concern as could indicate GI track bleeding or infections among others, so needs to be evaluated by a doctor immediately.

Related: Why do Babies Cry?

Grey

Sometimes medications or baby's diet could color the foods grey but as it also happens when liver or gall bladder doesn't function as they should. It is best to get checked by a doctor to rule out anything serious.

Yellow

Benchmark as far as poop goes. Yellow or mustard color poop is normal and usually seen in breastfed and sometimes formula fed babies. The poop could have different textures from being a bit runny, grainy, lumpy, pasty and all are normal.

Tan

Very common in formula fed babies, the color can also be greenish tan or yellowish and is close to the consistency of peanut butter. Formula fed baby poop is usually firmer and pastier than breastfed.

Poop Textures:

Just like the color the baby can have different textures of poop and is equally important to keep an eye out. It is an indicator of baby's overall health and what is going on and when to see a doctor.

Loose stools or Diarrhoea

Runny and more times than usual poop, even though baby poop is not as firm as adults and younger babies have it even more loose it shouldn't be as watery as in diarrhoea. Food allergies, stomach bug, antibiotics and few others can cause it but in any case keep a close watch and feed fluids frequently to avoid dehydration (only breast or formula milk if below 6 months of age) and call your doctor if it gets worse.

Mucus

Baby poop with mucus could be due to a cold or teething and also body produces mucus during digestion, occasional mucus is not an issue but if happens too often and prolonged could be GI related or infections so talk to your doctor to rule out any issues.

Hard or Pebble like

Hard poop is common when baby is constipated or if there is a change in formula, diet or has just started on solids as body is getting used to digesting it. It is also normal for older babies (over 8 weeks) who are breastfed to not poop for 4 to 5 days as well and formula fed for couple of days. Talk to your doctor if the baby is fussy, uneasy or hasn't pooped for longer than 5 days.

Frothy

Foamy or frothy poop commonly happens when baby is getting too much foremilk than the fattier hindmilk. Try feeding the baby on one breast till completely empty before switching. Also baby could be taking in a lot of the drool or having a food allergies or infection. Not usually a cause to worry but look out for other symptoms like fussiness, fever, diarrhoea which may need medical attention.

Stringy Poop

Just like mucus this is could be a sign of cold or teething or something the baby ate, occasionally not a cause for concern unless very frequent.

Baby Poop Color Chart

Quick reference guide when in doubt

When to see the Doctor?

If meconium lasts over 3 days (baby may not be getting enough feed to move it out of the system)
If baby is fussy, unhappy, has diarrhoea for more than a day or 2 and is less than 3 months of age
Jelly like red blood poop, could be a sign of intestinal bleeding
Thick black hard poop after meconium stage, could be a sign of intestinal bleeding
Bloody dark poop at any stage
White chalky or greyish poop, could be a sign of liver or gall bladder issues
Prolonged mucus in poop (over 2 days)
Baby has fever, vomiting, refusing to eat or has sunken eyes or soft spot (fontanelle)
Shows any signs of dehydration, dull, lethargic or unresponsive