Baby poo colour, smell, textures, and frequency: What’s normal?
Baby poo colour, smell, textures, and frequency: What’s normal?
Find out more about your baby’s poo, including the meaning of different baby poo colours, smells, and textures. Plus, download our baby poo chart.
When you become a parent, baby poo suddenly becomes something you talk about a lot and for good reason. On average, parents will change almost 2,000 nappies a year and the contents of your baby’s nappy can give you a lot of information about their health and wellbeing (1) (2). Baby poo can come in a whole spectrum of colours, textures, and smells. Some of these are normal and others may be a cause for concern, so, getting to know your baby’s poo is therefore important (2).
Baby poo colour, smell, textures, and frequency: What’s normal?
Every baby is different, and their poo will be unique too. Baby poo varies depending on many factors like their age and what they eat or drink (2).
One of the first things that changes with your baby’s poo is the colour…
Baby poo colour
Your baby’s poo colour may change from one day to the next, and that is normal- you will often find yourself wiping various shades of brown, green and yellow tones from your baby’s bottom.
Have a look at our baby poo chart to remind you what different baby poo colours may look like.
Baby poo textures
Baby poo textures will depend on how your baby is being fed. Meconium in the first few days is thick and sticky, often it is trickier to clean off your baby. Breastfed baby poo is often quite runny whilst formula fed baby poo is firmer in texture. The poo of a formula fed baby may also vary depending on the composition of the formula used, as some makes poo runnier than others. Once your baby is weaning their poo will start to become more solid. Whilst runny baby poo may indicate diarrhoea, hard and dry baby poo may indicate constipation3. Although a variation in baby too texture could be normal, if you are concerned it is advisable to contact your GP for guidance.
Breastfed baby poo
If you are breastfeeding your baby their poo will often look like mustard, it can be a runny or slightly grainy texture. Breastfed baby poo often does not smell, and baby poo may differ depending on what a breastfeeding mother has eaten3.
For support and advice on breastfeeding check out the Aptaclub Breastfeeding Hub.
Baby poo when weaning
Baby poo when weaning changes to become firmer, browner, and smellier. Naturally baby poo when weaning will vary in colour and texture depending on what your baby is eating. Baby poo will often become smellier when weaning and baby starts eating solid food8.
To learn more about weaning your baby read here.
Runny baby poo
Remember that it is normal for babies to have quite runny poo, it tends to be more common in, but not exclusive to, breastfed babies. If you are noticing runny poo in your baby with more frequent stools this may indicate diarrhoea. Runny poo accompanied by a fever or smelly poo may indicate a stomach infection. If your baby has diarrhoea, you should contact your GP as baby’s are more prone to dehydration9.
Read more about baby diarrhoea here.
Hard baby stool
Hard, small, and dry poo may indicate constipation in your baby. Having infrequent poo, less than 3 stools per week and noticing your baby is uncomfortable when having a poo are common signs of constipation10.
Read more about the causes of and ways to help constipation here.
Frequency of baby poo
Other common questions about baby poo
Related articles
Last reviewed: 04th April 2022
Reviewed by Oriana Hernandez Carrion
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Important notice
Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, you eat a varied, balanced diet. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breast milk, and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. The social and financial implications of using an infant formula should be considered. Improper use of an infant formula or inappropriate foods or feeding methods may present a health hazard. If you use an infant formula, you should follow manufacturer’s instructions for use carefully – failure to follow the instructions may make your baby ill. Always consult your doctor, midwife or health visitor for advice about feeding your baby.