The Many Colors of Baby Poop: What's Normal

As a new parent, you'll spend more time examining the contents of diapers than you ever imagined. Baby poop comes in a surprising rainbow of colors—most of which are completely normal. Understanding what's typical can save you worry and help you know when something actually needs attention.

The First Poops: Meconium AAP

What it looks like: Thick, sticky, tar-like, dark green to black

What it is: Meconium is made up of everything baby ingested in the womb—amniotic fluid, cells, mucus. It's been accumulating for months.

When to expect it: First 24-48 hours after birth

Is it normal? Yes—and it should pass within the first few days. If baby hasn't pooped meconium within 24 hours, tell your pediatrician.

Transitional Poop (Days 3-4)

What it looks like: Greenish-brown, less sticky than meconium

What it is: The transition between meconium and regular milk poop as baby starts digesting breast milk or formula.

When to expect it: Days 3-5, as milk comes in

Is it normal? Yes—this is a good sign that baby is eating and digesting.

Breastfed Baby Poop AAP

What it looks like:

• Mustard yellow, sometimes with slight green tint
• Seedy or curdled appearance (like cottage cheese)
• Loose or runny consistency
• Mild, not unpleasant smell

Frequency: Varies widely

• First weeks: multiple times per day (often after each feeding)
• After 6 weeks: can range from several times daily to once every few days
• As long as poop is soft when it comes, less frequent is often normal

Is it normal? Yes—breastfed baby poop is typically yellow, loose, and seedy.

Formula-Fed Baby Poop AAP

What it looks like:

• Tan, yellow-brown, or greenish
• Paste-like or peanut butter consistency
• Formed but soft
• Stronger smell than breastfed poop

Frequency: Generally more predictable

• Usually 1-2 times per day
• Some formula-fed babies poop every other day
• Should be soft, not hard

Is it normal? Yes—formula poop is typically more formed and tan-colored.

The Color Guide: What Each Color Means

### Yellow (Mustard to Golden)
Normal for: Breastfed babies primarily
What it means: Healthy breastfed baby poop
Concern level: None

### Tan/Brown
Normal for: Formula-fed babies, older babies on solids
What it means: Normal formula digestion or food digestion
Concern level: None

### Green

Normal for: All babies sometimes

What it might mean:

• Normal variation in breastfed babies
• Green vegetables when on solids
• Iron-fortified formula
• Foremilk/hindmilk imbalance (talk to lactation consultant)
• Moving through intestines quickly

Concern level: Usually none; occasional green is normal

### Orange
Normal for: Babies on solids
What it means: Usually from orange foods—carrots, sweet potato, squash
Concern level: None

### Red

Possible causes:

• Red foods (beets, tomatoes, red fruit)
• Blood in stool (see below)
• Red medication or vitamins

Concern level: If no red foods recently, call doctor to rule out blood

### Black (After Meconium Stage)

Possible causes:

• Iron supplements
• Certain foods
• Digested blood (from cracked nipples or GI bleeding)

Concern level: CALL DOCTOR—black after meconium stage needs evaluation

### White/Gray/Pale (Chalky)
What it might mean: Liver or bile duct issue—bile gives poop its color
Concern level: CALL DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY—this is always concerning

When to Call the Doctor AAP

Call immediately for:

• White, gray, or chalky pale stools (possible liver/bile problem)
• Black tarry stools after meconium (possible bleeding)
• Blood in stool (more than a streak)
• Accompanied by fever, vomiting, or refusal to eat

Call for guidance:

• Persistent green stools (rule out feeding issues or illness)
• Red stools when no red foods eaten
• Very watery stools with fever (possible infection)
• Hard, pellet-like stools with pain (constipation)
• Any poop that concerns you—trust your instincts

Consistency Matters Too

Normal:

• Breastfed: loose, seedy, mushy
• Formula-fed: soft, paste-like
• After solids: more formed, may contain food bits

Concerning:

• Very watery (especially with fever)
• Hard pellets or balls
• Extremely mucousy
• Bloody or black

Introducing Solids Changes Everything

Once baby starts solid foods (around 6 months), expect poop to change dramatically.

Normal changes:

• More formed/solid consistency
• Stronger smell
• Color changes based on foods eaten
• May see undigested food (normal—especially corn, peas)
• More predictable timing

Common Poop Questions

"How often should baby poop?"
It varies! Some breastfed babies poop after every feeding; others go several days. Formula-fed babies are more regular. As long as poop is soft, frequency matters less.

"Is straining normal?"
Some straining is normal as babies learn to poop. As long as poop is soft, straining alone isn't concerning.

"What about mucus in poop?"
A little mucus is normal. A lot of mucus, or mucus with blood, warrants a call to the doctor.

The Bottom Line

Baby poop comes in many colors, and most are completely normal. Yellow, tan, green, and brown are all typically fine. What matters more than color is consistency and your baby's overall health.

White, gray, or chalk-colored poop is always a concern. Black poop after the meconium stage needs attention. Bloody poop should be evaluated.

When in doubt, snap a photo for your pediatrician—they've seen it all!

Clara is here to answer your diaper-related questions anytime.