Changing nappies becomes second nature quickly, but a little caution goes a long way. Before you fully remove a nappy, always take care and listen for any rumbling sounds. With a bit of wind, a breastfed baby’s poo, in particular, can travel considerable distances – onto shirts, into eyes, or over surrounding surfaces. Be prepared!
The contents of your baby’s newborn nappies can tell you a lot about how they are travelling. Let’s break down what’s normal and what signs might indicate you need to seek advice.
The First Poos: Meconium
Just after birth, your baby’s first poos will look very different from what you might expect. This is called meconium, and it’s typically green-black, sticky, and a bit tar-like in consistency. Meconium is made up of materials ingested in the womb, such as amniotic fluid, mucus, and cells.
This distinct meconium phase will change over the first few days as your milk supply shifts from colostrum (the thick, yellowish first milk) to early breastmilk. This transition in stool colour and consistency is a good sign that your baby is feeding well and their digestive system is starting to function effectively.
Breastfed Baby Poos
Once your breastmilk supply is well-established, breastfed babies usually have characteristic poos. These are typically runny and have a mustardy-yellow colour, often with small, seed-like bits within them. The frequency of bowel movements for a breastfed baby can vary significantly. Some breastfed babies may poo with almost every feed, especially in the early weeks. Others might only have a bowel movement once every few days, or even once a week.
Both extremes, provided the baby is otherwise well and feeding adequately, can be normal. The key is consistency in colour and texture when they do go.
Formula-Fed Baby Poos
If you are formula feeding your baby, their poos will generally be different from those of a breastfed baby. Formula-fed babies often have firmer poos that can be greener or darker in colour. This darker shade is often due to the additional iron found in infant formula.
The frequency of bowel movements for formula-fed babies tends to be more regular than for breastfed babies, but there can still be some variation. Their stools are typically more formed and paste-like compared to the runnier consistency of breastfed stools. It’s important to ensure your baby is not straining or showing discomfort when passing stools, as very hard or infrequent poos could indicate constipation.
Wet Nappies: A Key Indicator of Hydration
Beyond bowel movements, the number of wet nappies your baby produces is a vital indicator of whether they are getting enough milk. This is particularly important in the early days and weeks.
Generally, if your baby is getting enough milk, they should have 5 to 6 good wet nappies every 24 hours once your milk supply is established (usually by day 5-7 for breastfed babies) or once formula feeding is regular.
A “good wet nappy” feels noticeably heavy and full of urine. In the first few days, you’ll see fewer wet nappies, gradually increasing as feeding becomes more established. Your Child and Family Health Nurse or midwife can guide you on the expected number of wet nappies for your baby’s age.
When to Consult Your GP
While a wide range of nappy contents can be normal, there are specific signs in your baby’s nappy that warrant immediate attention from your General Practitioner (GP) or other healthcare professional:
1. Blood or mucus in the poo
Any presence of blood (which might look bright red or dark streaks) or stringy mucus in the stool should be investigated by a doctor.
2. Poo that goes back to being black after the meconium stage
If your baby’s stools revert to being black and tarry after the initial meconium phase has passed, this needs medical review.
3. Poo that is ever white or grey
Stools that are white, grey, or very pale can sometimes indicate a liver issue and require urgent medical assessment.
4. Signs of dehydration
While not just about the nappy, if your baby has fewer wet nappies than expected, has a sunken soft spot (fontanelle), appears lethargic, or has dry lips, seek medical advice immediately.
5. Persistent diarrhoea
If your baby has frequent, very watery stools, especially if accompanied by fever or poor feeding, consult your GP.
6. Severe constipation
If your baby is straining excessively, has very hard, pellet-like stools, or is not passing stools regularly and seems uncomfortable.
Always trust your instincts as a parent. If you are ever concerned about your baby’s newborn nappies or their overall health, do not hesitate to contact your GP, Child and Family Health Nurse, or local hospital for advice.
Reliable resources include Raising Children Network and Pregnancy, Birth & Baby.
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