Baby stool guide

The first few days

• In the first few days after birth, newborns pass meconium, a mixture of bile, mucus and amniotic fluid that builds up in the baby’s intestines through the pregnancy
• It’s black/green and very sticky and is a sign the baby’s bowels are working properly
• After a couple of days, the baby’s stools turn to greeny-brown and then yellowy-brown, as feeding is established

Breastfed babies

• Breastfed babies stools smell slightly sweet and are mustard or bright yellow coloured
• Texture varies between loose, granular or curdled
• A breastfed baby will normally pass a stool once a day, often during or after feeding
• This pattern will change as the baby grows and their diet changes or if they are unwell
• Introducing bottle feeds will change the colour, smell and texture of a breastfed baby’s stools, and should be done gradually

Bottle-fed babies

• Bottle-fed babies stools are usually pale yellow or yellow/brown and will appear more solid and bulky than those of breastfed babies
• Bottle-fed babies stools tend to smell more than a breastfed baby’s
• A bottle-fed baby will normally pass a stool once a day, often during or after feeding
• Bottle-fed babies stools tend to be firmer than those from breastfed babies

From milk to solids 

• At the start of weaning, some babies experience constipation until their digestive system gets used to solids
• Once the baby’s system settles down, their stools will become darker, and smellier.