WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Decoding Your Baby's Poop in the First Week

Decoding Your Baby's Poop in the First Week
During the first week of your baby's life, their poop might go through several changes, and as a new parent, it's essential to understand what's normal and what might warrant a closer look.
Baby poop can tell you a lot about their health and well-being, so let's dive into what you might expect in those early days.
Meconium: Day 1 to 3
  • In the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, your baby's poop will be meconium, which is a thick, sticky, and dark greenish-black substance. Meconium consists of materials your baby ingested while in the womb, such as amniotic fluid, skin cells, and mucus.
  • As meconium is passed, it transitions to a greenish-brown color, becoming less sticky and more like regular stool.
Transitional Stools: Day 3 to 4
  • After the meconium phase, your baby's poop will shift to what is known as transitional stools. These stools are greenish-brown to yellowish in color and may have a looser, seedy texture.
  • Transitional stools indicate that your baby's digestive system is starting to function as they begin to digest breast milk or formula.
Breast Milk Poop: Day 5 and Onwards
  • Once your baby's mother's milk supply is established, their poop will change again. Breastfed baby poop is typically yellow and seedy in texture. The color may vary from bright yellow to mustard-like.
  • Breast milk poop is soft and easy to pass, indicating that your baby is getting the necessary nutrients from breastfeeding.
Frequency of Pooping
  • In the first week, your baby may have varying patterns of bowel movements. Some babies may poop multiple times a day, while others may have fewer bowel movements.
  • As long as your baby is feeding well, gaining weight, and their poop is of the expected color and texture, there is generally no cause for concern.
What's Not Normal?
  • If your baby's poop is red, black, or white, it may indicate a potential issue and requires immediate attention. Red or black poop may be a sign of blood in the stool, while white or clay-colored poop could indicate a problem with liver function.
  • If your baby's poop is extremely watery, contains mucus, or has a strong foul odor, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional.
Learn more
D
DeNayshja
11 Sep 2023

Hey y’all do y’all have any tips on getting your baby to poop my almost 2 month old haven’t pooped in 4 day she is breastfed strictly she seems constipated but I don’t know

3 comments
N
Nyawal
If you haven’t I would try massaging her stomach, that helped my baby
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
A
Abbye
I would move her legs around like she riding a bike. Sometimes that helps.
27 Mar 2024

Answer


M
Meagan
30 Aug 2023

How often is a 1 mo supposed to poop? Baby girl poops maybe twice a week. She has colic and she's constipated. #baby #bowelmovements

2 comments
S
Stacey
Are you breastfeeding or formula feeding
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
V
Victoria
It's normal for babies to get constipated but I have never heard of a baby only pooping twice a week. Have u tried apple juice with water
27 Mar 2024

Answer


Y
Yazzmine
28 Jun 2023

At 1week old how many times did your baby poop? My baby didn’t poop a whole day and I’m nervous she’s constipated😩

7 comments
T
Tania
Formula fed? My baby is and dr said it's normal on formula not to go everyday.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
Y
Yazzmine
Yes formula fed
27 Mar 2024

Answer


A
Angel
9 Jun 2023

Help. My baby hasn’t had a poop diaper in 2 days. I can’t help but wonder if he is hurting. He isn’t fussy or anything but still, no poop just pee

7 comments
A
Aiden Scott
My son the same way so yesterday I had a glove I put Vaseline on my pinky an I put my pink a little bit in his booty hole an as soon as I did that when I say it was a lot of shit that came out and hold his legs up to his stomach while he shit it out but u gonna need like a old towel or something cuss my son shit so much so put your pinky in his booty hole an it's gonna come out u gotta have the towel ready tho.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
A
Ashley
Or take the nose suction bulb thing and fill it with warm water and give him an enema
27 Mar 2024

Answer


M
Masie
21 May 2023

Okay so tmi I just had my baby last night at 9:09pm so it's officially been 24h since I delivered via epidural and vaginally however I'm wondering how the first poop is? 😬 I'm scared and would like to know what to expect and what tips yall have for the first poop after birth 😅

7 comments
M
Mauriah
Did the hospital give you stool softener? That really helps . Just makes sure there’s not a ton of pushing . Honestly it’s not bad your body recovers and knows what it’s doing . But it can seem intimidating . I’d say use a spritz bottle to help you rinse with some cold water after you go either number 1 or 2. And witch hazel pads or spray helped with inflammation.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
M
Mauriah
Congrats on your little one!
27 Mar 2024

Answer


C
Cassie Williams
14 Mar 2023

A week away from 2 months of breastfeeding poor guy is still not pooping after a week we did an enema and still nothing. My nana said she doesn't think he has poop in him to poop but he's eating just fine is it normal for this to happen while breastfeeding?

14 comments
B
Bre 🫶🏽
Did you try Karo syrup ? Mine hasn’t pooped in two days just fed him a bottle with karo syrup an hour ago & he just pooped.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
C
Cassie Williams
what's karo syrup? I've never heard of that before I'm gonna have to get some if it helps bc I don't want him to be in pain if he is constipated or having problems pooping
27 Mar 2024

Answer


U
Unique
25 Jan 2023

Anybody else 2 1/2 week old poop at every feeding and it seems they not retaining the food or is just my baby….are girls smaller than boys?

6 comments
C
Christy
Are you breast or bottle feeding
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
U
Unique
But even if I breast feed is like that
27 Mar 2024

Answer


Q
Quoyah
18 Jan 2023

Has any one else’s baby been extremely poopy ? My baby isn’t even 1 week old and EVERY SINGLE DIAPER since his first poop has been 💩’T . Just wondering how normal this is and when I should be concerned.

2 comments
M
Maria
baby’s that young usually poop quite often. it won’t regulate until they’re a little older then they won’t poop as often
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
Q
Quoyah
Okay , because I kno with my last they pooped & PEED a ton. But it just seems like he hasn’t had one pamper where it’s just pee 😂. I was concerned if he was eating enough to make up for all the shits he taking
27 Mar 2024

Answer


s
sherry❤️‍🔥
29 Jul 2022

If your baby is only being breastfed they may not poop every day. This is because their body can use up almost all the components of breast milk for nutrition and there is very little left that needs to be eliminated. After the first 6 weeks or so they can go even a week or two without a poop.

5 comments
K
Kaylin
That’s not accurate at all. Nobody should go a week or two without pooping no matter their age. Please take your baby to their doctor if that’s the case
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
s
sherry❤️‍🔥
https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/newborn-not-pooping-but-passing-gas
27 Mar 2024

Answer


J
Jashani
31 May 2022

I was giving my baby formula milk at first then I ended up giving him breast milk now he’s constipated wha can I give him to help him poop he’s only a week

18 comments
L
Liaha
Mix a little bit of gripe water with apple juice... or peddling his legs like he's on a bike it could be trapped gas
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
J
Jashani
He passing gas ,
27 Mar 2024

Answer


Related articles

Hot topics