Baby Poop Colors: What They Mean & When to See a Doctor

Baby poop colors, along with the consistency and amount of stool, can vary based on type of feeding, intestinal infections, or natural digestive changes. These variations are usually normal but can sometimes indicate a health problem that requires attention.

Changes in baby poop may also come with other symptoms, including fever, stomach pain, crying, vomiting, or irritability. Paying attention to these signs can help identify when something might be wrong.

It’s important to contact a pediatrician whenever there are sudden changes in baby poop colors or consistency, especially if the baby also shows symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting, or unusual fussiness. The doctor can determine the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.

1. Stool color

Changes in baby poop colors are often related to how quickly food moves through the intestines, the type of feeding, or certain health issues.

Yellow

Yellow baby poop is considered normal, especially in babies who are exclusively breastfed. Formula-fed babies usually have darker yellow or light brown stools. Yellow poop is only a concern when it becomes watery, which may indicate diarrhea.

What to do: Yellow baby poop is normal in most cases and doesn’t require treatment. However, if it becomes more watery or is accompanied by fever or irritability, it’s best to see a pediatrician, as this could signal an infection that needs treatment.

Green

Green poop in babies is common during the first week of life or in babies who are exclusively breastfed, often appearing light green. It can also occur due to an infection, a change in milk or formula, food intolerance, or medication use.

In some cases, bright green and foamy baby poop can mean the baby is mainly getting the foremilk (the milk at the beginning of a feeding), which is lower in fat and higher in water.

What to do: If green poop appears after the second week of life or turns darker, consult a pediatrician to identify the cause. When the stool is green and foamy, allow the baby to fully empty one breast before switching to the other so they receive the fattier hindmilk that supports healthy growth.

White

White or pale-colored baby poop may signal a problem with bile flow into the intestines. If this happens within the first two weeks of life and is accompanied by jaundice, it’s important to contact a pediatrician immediately for an ultrasound exam.

What to do: If white baby poop lasts for more than two or three days, see a pediatrician as soon as possible. Persistent white stools can be a sign of a liver problem that requires urgent treatment.

Red

Red baby poop can result from eating foods such as beets, beans, or berries. However, it can also indicate the presence of blood in the stool, which might be caused by constipation leading to small anal fissures, intestinal infection, or a food allergy. In these cases, the baby should be evaluated by a pediatrician right away.

What to do: If red stools can’t be linked to recently eaten red or dark foods, seek medical attention immediately to rule out intestinal bleeding and determine the cause.

Dark brown

Dark brown baby poop may indicate blood in the stool due to intestinal irritation or swallowed blood from cracked nipples during breastfeeding. It can also happen if the baby is taking iron supplements, which often make stools darker.

What to do: If your baby is using iron supplements, this change in stool color is normal and should resolve once supplementation ends. However, if there’s no clear reason for the dark color, see a pediatrician to find the cause.

Monitoring baby poop colors, consistency, and bowel habits is important. Sudden changes or symptoms like fever, bloating, pain, or irritability may point to an underlying health condition that needs medical evaluation.

2. Stool quantity

The amount of baby poop depends on age and feeding type. Some babies may poop after every feeding, while others may go up to twice a week.

Newborns who are exclusively breastfed often have a bowel movement after each feeding, but this frequency usually decreases between three and six weeks as the mother’s milk matures.

If the number of bowel movements suddenly decreases without changes in diet or feeding routine, it’s best to consult a pediatrician, as this could indicate an issue that needs attention.

3. Stool consistency

Normal baby poop has a soft, pasty consistency. Formula-fed babies usually have firmer or slightly lumpy stools since formula is harder to digest than breast milk.

However, sudden changes in consistency can be a sign of health issues such as:

Constipation

Constipation causes the baby to have fewer bowel movements, with stools appearing as small, hard pellets. The baby may also have a firm abdomen, discomfort, or small anal cracks due to straining.

Constipation can be linked to dehydration, milk intolerance, or the introduction of harder-to-digest foods like beans, corn, or seeds.

What to do: For babies under 6 months, hydration should come from breast milk or formula only; extra water is not recommended at this age. For babies over 6 months, small amounts of water or pediatric oral rehydration solutions may be given under medical guidance.

If the baby already eats solid foods, include more cooked fruits and vegetables to increase fiber intake. If constipation lasts longer than three days, consult a pediatrician.

Diarrhea

Baby diarrhea is characterized by at least three watery stools per day and may be caused by viral infections or allergies to milk or certain foods.

What to do: Keep the baby hydrated (breast milk or formula should continue for infants under 6 months). For older babies, water or oral rehydration solutions can be offered as directed by the pediatrician.

It’s also important to contact the pediatrician, especially if the baby has a fever, vomiting, or is under 3 months old. A healthcare provider can determine the cause and help prevent dehydration.