Diaper Changing

At first, newborn babies don’t do much. They eat, they sleep, and they poop.  

(The sheer number of nappies they’ll go through initially might shock you!)  

Newborn poop isn’t like its adult counterpart, so it can be hard to figure out if your baby’s poop is ‘normal’.  

We’ve created this guide to answer the most asked questions about newborn baby poop, so you can spot what’s normal, and what’s not.  

(You’ll be an expert in no time!) 

How often should they poop?

There isn’t an exact poo quota that your newborn should be meeting each day (after all, every baby is unique). On average though, babies have around 4 poops a day in their first week of life.  

This decreases to an average of 2 poops per day, by their 1st birthday.   

Breastmilk is considered a natural laxative (breastfed babies can poop at every feed for the first few weeks)! Thankfully, this 'in and out' phase doesn't last very long, and they might not poop for several days after the 6-week mark.  

Formula-fed newborn babies can poop up to five times a day. This reduces to as little as once a day after a few months. 

This all sounds like too much poo to handle, but you’ll find your rhythm with nappy changes before you know it! Some babies are tiny pooping machines, while others can go a few days without pooping at all.  

If your baby seems happy and is eating well, chances are things are fine (even if you feel like you’re up to your elbows in dirty nappies).  

However, you should always trust your gut. If you think something’s not right, or you have concerns about their bowel movements, you should speak to your family physician, obstetrician, or a doctor.

The stages of newborn poop 

From their first dirty nappy to their 1st birthday, your baby’s poop will change a lot. 

The color and consistency may vary from day to day, as their digestive system develops.  

Let's take a closer look:  

Meconium: Within 48 hours 

Meconium is your baby's first poop and it's already in the bowel at the time of birth. 

Dark, thick and tarry, meconium can be sticky and very hard to clean up. Meconium contains cells and other substances that line your baby’s digestive tract during pregnancy. This kind of poop usually subsides after three or four days. 

You should speak to a medical professional if your baby hasn’t passed any meconium 48 hours after birth. 

Green poop: Day 3-4  

If their poop changes to a greenish color, it’s usually because the last of the meconium is leaving their bowels. During this stage, their poop is still dark but develops a green tinge, as they start to digest milk. 

Yellow poop: Day 5-6  

From around day 5, your baby's poop might look like it has seeds in it. Newborn poo at this stage is usually runny, but not very smelly.  

If your baby is formula-fed, their poop may have a slightly darker tan shade and might be a bit smellier! 

The (many) types of newborn poop

Breast, bottle, or a bit of both, your baby’s bowel movements are affected by their diet. We’ve outlined some of the most common factors which affect your newborn’s poop. 

Your baby is breastfed 

After the meconium has passed, your baby's poop will change first to a lighter green-black color, and then to a yellow hue (it can be quite bright in color).  

The texture will change too, from sticky to grainy, even loose. It should be soft and easy to pass. The biggest surprise for new parents is often the smell, as it is far sweeter than you might anticipate - a breastfeeding bonus! 

Your baby is formula-fed  

It's a little more difficult for a baby to digest formula than breast milk. You’ll see this in some small differences between their poo. Bottle-fed baby poop is likely to be bulkier than breastfed baby poop. Color-wise, you can expect the poop to be a paler yellow or yellowish brown (and smellier!).  

Your baby is weaning  

This one’s a big change!  

With solid foods, your baby's poop will now become larger, thicker, and (unfortunately) smellier too!  

You may notice that different foods affect their poop differently. Sometimes you'll see the color of the poop reflect what you've given your baby to eat. You may also notice certain hard-to-digest foods pass straight through. This will change in time, as your baby gets used to different food types. In the meantime, you'll have fun guessing what those weird little black flecks are (HINT: it's probably that banana). 

Jet-propelled poop  

Yes, your baby can achieve some real force behind that poop! Don't be surprised if a poop you've waited longer than usual for, makes its way out of their nappy. 

Signs of diarrhea in newborns 

As we’ve seen, newborn poops can vary hugely from baby to baby, week to week. If they’re eating well, gaining weight and growing, the chances are everything is fine.  

It’s not unusual for a breastfed baby’s poop to be loose, but if they’re frequently passing watery stools, it could be a sign of diarrhea. 

Common causes of diarrhea in newborns  

Diarrhea can be a symptom of many things, including:  

• Infection  
• Teething  
• Antibiotics 
• Dietary changes  
• Allergies  

It’s always best to get your baby checked out by a doctor if they have diarrhea quickly.  

Remember, if your baby has diarrhea, it’s important to keep an eye on their fluids. You may need to breastfeed more frequently (or offer them the bottle more often), so they can get the extra fluids they need to avoid dehydration. 

Why is my newborn struggling to poo?  

Your baby might be constipated if:  

• They’re pooping less than 3 times a week 
• They’re passing hard, dry, lumpy poops that look like pellets 
• They’re eating less, and aren’t as hungry  
• Their tummy feels firm  
• Their poops are larger than usual (and are difficult to pass)  
• They seem a little grizzly and fatigued. 

Common causes of constipation in newborns  

There are a few reasons why your baby could be constipated, but the most common are:  

Diet changes: It’s not unusual for your baby to become constipated when they first start formula-feeding, or when you start introducing solid foods. There’s no need to worry, it’s just their body learning how to digest new things.  

Dehydration: Constipation can be caused by a lack of fluids. There are many reasons for this, including:  

• They may find it uncomfortable to feed while they’re teething  
• Illnesses, like a cold, or a throat or ear infection  
• If you’ve begun to introduce solid foods, they may not be drinking enough fluids alongside their food. 

Helping a newborn to poop  

No one wants to see their baby in pain or discomfort. Luckily, there’s good news. There are a few things you can do to help relieve their constipation. 

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! If you’re formula feeding, offer them small sips of cooled, boiled tap water between their bottle feeds to prevent dehydration. If you’re breastfeeding, continue to offer lots of feeds (breastfed babies don’t need to drink additional water between feeds).  
• Bicycle legs: Just like adults, movement can help keep things regular for babies. Try lying your baby flat and gently moving their legs in a bicycle motion, to help relieve constipation.  
• Gentle massage: This is a lovely way to bond with them and can also help relieve constipation. Try rubbing their tummy clockwise, in slow downward strokes (make sure your baby is laying on their back, on a soft, safe and comfortable surface).  
• Bathtime: Warm water can help relax their abdominal muscles, discourage them from straining and soothe some of their discomfort.  
• Consider their formula: Using too much formula powder when preparing a bottle can reduce the amount of water your baby drinks and therefore lead to constipation. We recommend that you always follow the manufacturer's guidelines when preparing a bottle of formula for your baby. 

Nappy cream and newborns  

Pooping problems can irritate your baby’s skin and cause a nappy rash. These rashes are super common (and generally nothing to worry about), but they can be incredibly uncomfortable for your baby.  

If your baby already has a nappy rash, you should use a nappy rash cream to treat it. It’s best to ask a pharmacist (or a medical professional) to recommend the best products to use.  

Once you've applied the nappy rash cream, you can use a thin layer of barrier cream to protect their sensitive skin. This should be done during every change, to prevent uncomfortable nappy rashes.