Let’s Talk Baby Poop!

When dads shirt matches your newborn poo colour chart!

 

During a recent P2B private antenatal class we talked all things newborn including …. their poops. I have a colour chart of how newborns poops transition within the first week or so. I did laugh out loud when we realised dads shirt matched my colour chart

 

So lets talk about poop!

 

Your newborn’s first poop will be a dark green, tar-like substance called meconium. This is normal – it’s your baby’s stomach and bowel contents emptying after being in the womb for nine months. Meconium poops are normal and might last a few days.

 

As your baby gets more milk (breast or formula) the colour of their poop will change. This poop is call transtional aka a mix of green and yellow.

 

After this, there’s a big range of “normal” when it comes to what baby poo looks and smells like and how often babies poo.Some babies poo several times a day, and some poo only a few times a week, and others may not poo for 10 days! This is normal.

 

Pooing is common during or shortly after feeding. This is called the gastro-colic reflex. I recommend not changing the nappy until after the feed for this reason.

 

A baby that is exclusively breastfeed poop is usually soft, yellow (sometimes green) and (maybe) even runny: often described being like mustard. It is usually sweet smelling but can be effected by mums diet. After a few weeks the frequency often reduces but they will stay soft until solids are introduced

 

A formula fed baby’s poo is generally firmer but can vary a lot in colour and consistency. Yellow, green, brown and anything in between. They should not be hard (please see your GP with concerns). Again, they will be this consistency until solids are introduced.

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