Who would have thought that our life would revolve around baby poo? How often, how long, how green, how smelly, how soft, how hard. So let’s take a quick dive (theoretically) into the world of baby poo.

That Very First Baby Poo

The first time your newborn poo’s will be quite memorable. It’s generally a dark greenish colour, with the sticky consistency of tar (take my word for it, you don’t have to touch it!). This is called meconium and it’s completely normal. This first odd-looking poo is simply the result of your baby’s tummy and bowel emptying after being in the womb for so many months. Your baby’s poo’s may be darkish green for a few days.

How Often Should Your Baby Poo?

All babies are different and so is their poo. So be careful about comparing baby poo in your Mother’s group or with your friends. Don’t get too concerned if baby Jimmy poo’s like clockwork once a day, while your bub is all over the place when it comes to ‘toilet’ time.

Some babies will poo only every few days, while others will poo a few times a day. It’s all normal.

Generally, babies will poo during or shortly after a feed. This is known as the gastro-colic reflex.

What Should Baby Poo Look Like?

The colour and consistency of baby poo will differ according to your baby’s diet.

Baby Poo From Breastmilk-fed bubs

Consistency: Baby poo from breastfed bubs is generally soft and slightly runny. Their poo may also contain ‘seeds’, which are undigested milk fat and completely normal.
Colour: The poo often as a yellow-orange tinge, almost like mustard. But can also come out green.
Smell: The baby poo smell can be affected by mum’s diet but it is often neutral or slightly sweet-smelling.

Baby Poo From Formula-fed bubs

Consistency: Baby poo from formula-fed bubs is generally firmer but can vary in consistency based on the type of formula that they are drinking.
Colour: The poo is often greyish-yellow, with even tinges of blue or shades of brown.
Smell: Formula-fed babies have more pungent smelling poo than breastfed bubs.

When a baby moves onto solids, baby poo becomes firmer and smellier.

My Baby Isn’t Pooing Often. Is he constipated?

Constipation is when the consistency of baby poo tends to be hard and dry, and looks like little pebbles. It has less to do with how frequently a baby poo’s and more to do with how easily your bub passes a stool.

A baby may poo only once a week, but if their poo is soft and they pass it easily, they wouldn’t be regarded as constipated, despite the infrequent poo’s. Breastfed babies can go as long as 20 days without pooing.

However, if your baby is getting distressed when pooing or the consistency of the baby poo is making it difficult for them to push out, your baby may be constipated.

Constipation is generally more likely to happen in bottle-fed babies and when they start solid food. This often sorts itself out in a few weeks but if you’re concerned, chat to your GP or nurse.

Pick The Right Nappy

It’s important to pick a good quality nappy to hold in those poo’s. You’ll need a stock of newborn disposable nappies and wipes for multiple changes throughout the day (and night!). Plus a nappy bag so you can carry nappies, a change mat and wipes when out and about. Be sure to select a brand that offers not only excellent quality, comfort and dryness but a brand that is great value for money like Little One’s Ultra Dry Nappies (you can go through multiple nappies a day so it’s a big chunk of your newborn budget).

Do you have any baby poo stories to share? TELL US in the comments below.

This post is proudly brought to you by Little One’s Ultra Dry Nappies – designed to help your child stay comfy and happy. We’ve recently refreshed our Little One’s Nappies. We’re introducing our new nappies, and you will see more of them on the shelves over the coming weeks. They are still the super absorbent nappy you know and love but now proudly Australian made and a super soft breathable lining for softness. Discover at Woolworths. #sponsored