Poop says a lot about our health - and that's just as true for your baby. Your little one's stools can vary a lot too, in both colour and shape. But what's actually normal? A look in the nappy can tell you a lot about your baby's development and health.
Is your baby not pooping?
If your baby isn't pooping, or only very rarely, that can be quite stressful - especially if you're not sure what's normal. How often your baby poops can vary a lot depending on the type of feeding.
Does your baby seem to struggle or seem uncomfortable when pooping, or poop very little? That can point to constipation. This is common, especially during transition periods, such as switching from breast to bottle feeding or introducing solid food. Want to know more about constipation in babies? Read our in-depth article on the topic.
Baby poop colour chart: what do the colours mean?
This colour chart helps you understand what the different colours in your baby's poop can mean - whether it's a healthy variation or a sign worth paying attention to. Use it as a handy reference, and don't hesitate to contact a healthcare provider if you're unsure. Below, we go into more detail on the main colours.
Every child is unique - if you're unsure about your baby's poop, it's always a good idea to contact a doctor.
Green poop
Especially in the first year, you'll see all kinds of different poop - in smell, colour, and consistency. Colour can range from dark green to black.
In the first few days after birth, greenish, sticky poop is completely normal: this is meconium, the "food" your baby received in the womb via the amniotic fluid. After about two days, breastfed babies' poop becomes softer and yellow. If your baby has eaten green leafy vegetables, or is teething, poop can also turn dark green.
Want to know more about green poop in babies? Read our separate article on the topic.
Red poop
Red streaks in your baby's poop usually indicate blood. The cause could be a small tear near the anus, or cracked nipples if you're breastfeeding. However, red poop can also point to something more serious: an allergy, a bacterial infection, or bleeding in the digestive tract.
A harmless explanation is red cabbage or beetroot on the menu. If that wasn't the case, or the poop shows another unusual colour, it's a good idea to see a doctor.
Black poop
Black poop (that isn't meconium) occurs when blood enters the intestines - usually a sign of bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract. As it travels through the digestive system, blood changes colour from red to black.
Sometimes iron supplements or iron-rich food can turn poop dark brown or black - in that case, there's nothing to worry about. If that's not the likely explanation, it's best to see your doctor.
The role of feeding: breast milk versus formula
What your baby's poop looks like partly depends on the type of feeding. We recommend breastfeeding until your baby is at least 6 months old.
Breastfed babies' poop is light to mustard yellow, with a looser texture and a milder, sometimes sweetish smell. Formula-fed babies' poop is generally firmer.
Breastfed baby not pooping, what now?
Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, which is why formula-fed babies tend to have firmer poop, often once a day. Breastfed babies can range from four times a day to once every few days - both patterns are considered healthy and normal, as long as the poop is soft and passes easily.
At first, a breastfed baby often poops right after a feed. Over time, a more regular pattern develops.
Poop from age one onwards
As your child eats more and more solid food, their poop changes accordingly. They need to get used to this new food, so keep an eye on their poop during this transition. By around age 2, the stomach and intestines are fully used to solid food, and poop takes on a "sausage" shape, sometimes with undigested bits.
This stage also marks the start of the smelly nappy phase: poop now mostly consists of solid food, making it bulkier and smellier than you're used to.
Even though it's not always the most pleasant task, it's still important to keep an eye on your child's poop - it tells you something about their health and development. Remember that it's normal for consistency, colour, and frequency to change after introducing solid food or switching formula.
Kabrita goat milk-based formula
Did you know more goat milk is consumed worldwide than cow's milk? Goat milk is naturally mild and forms a good basis for formula. Kabrita follow-on and growing-up milk combine the mildness of Dutch goat milk with valuable ingredients such as DHA Omega-3 fatty acids* and GOS dietary fibres - a suitable choice for babies and toddlers.
* As found in all follow-on/growing-up milk.