Article
Nappy changes in the early days can be confusing for a new parent – let’s take a look at what you can expect:
Meconium
Meconium is the first poo that your baby will pass and is black; sticky and tar-like. Meconium is made up of the substances your baby would have ingested in -utero and as your baby begins to feed the meconium will pass through his system and the poo will change colour from black to yellow.
Baby poo
Breastfed baby poo is mustard to bright yellow in colour and often looks grainy or seedy.
Formula-fed baby poo is thicker and pastier than breastfed baby poo and colour can vary from shades of yellow to tan or brown.
How often should your baby poo?
Your breastfed baby may poo several times a day or only once in several days. Formula-fed babies tend to poo with more predictability than breastfed babies.
The following are not considered “normal” in terms of baby poo and if present, you should discuss with your doctor:
- Your baby has not poo’d in several days and is uncomfortable
- Stools are hard and pellet-like
- Baby poo that is white or very dark (after meconium has passed)
- Any amount of blood in the stool
- Watery, frothy or mucus-filled poo
