Bowel movements and your baby

All babies poop a lot. This article will help you know what to expect, and help you understand how things change as your baby gets older.

Expect your baby’s first bowel movement within 24 hours after birth. It looks like a thick, sticky, dark green or black paste. Over the next few days, your baby’s poop will become less sticky. It will also change from dark greenish-black to brownish-green, then to brown and to yellow.

If you're breastfeeding, your baby's poop turns mushy and loose by the end of the first week. It won't smell much, and will be yellow, green or brown. If your baby drinks formula, his or her poop is firmer and green- or brown-colored. It also smells more. Either way, the color of your baby’s stool may change, and that’s fine. But if your baby's poop turns red, black or white, call your doctor.

Most newborns poop three to five times a day, and sometimes more. As they get older, they poop less, especially if they drink formula. It's not bad for some babies to go as long as three or more days between pooping. As long as the poop is soft, it’s usually fine. If your baby does go more than three days without pooping, call your doctor. You should always check in with your doctor if your baby’s poop is hard or your baby seems uncomfortable.