Article Summary:
- The Baby Stool Colour Chart by Enfamil A+® aids in understanding infant bowel movements.
- This chart describes various stool colors and their implications, from meconium to green, yellow, brown, red, and white.
- Learn when to consult a pediatrician based on stool color changes and consistency.
Stool Colour Decoder
Figure out what your baby’s poop colours mean.
FROM ENFAMIL A+®
Do you have questions about your baby’s stool colour?
If so, don’t be embarrassed! Decoding stool colour is one of the first tasks you face as a new parent. Babies develop very quickly, and their digestive systems change as they grow. Stool colour can range in hue and consistency and varies depending on whether your baby is formula fed or breastfed.1 Check out the stool colour chart and additional details from Enfamil A+ below to help figure out what your baby’s bowel movements mean.
Black
Newborns should pass black, tarry stools for the first few days after birth. These black tarry stools are known as meconium, and are a newborn’s first bowel movements that were forming in their intestines before birth. Most newborns should pass meconium within the first 24-48 hours of life.1
If your baby is not passing stools within 24 hours or continues to pass meconium beyond 48 hours, consult your doctor.1
Green/Yellow
After the first 48 hours, babies pass dark greenish/yellow stools known as transitional stools. These stools are called transitional because babies' stool changes colour and consistency as they clear the meconium and begin digesting breastmilk or formula.1
Yellow
Yellow stools are common with breastfed and formula-fed babies. Breastfed babies pass stools that are often a mustard colour and are more watery consistency than formula fed babies.1 Formula fed babies pass stools that are often a more tan colour and are slightly firmer (a consistency no firmer than peanut butter) compared to breastfed babies.1
Green
Infants can also have green stools. Green is a normal colour for baby stools for both breastfed and formula fed babies.1
Brown
Infants can also have brown stools. Brown stools occur commonly once your baby starts eating solids.
Stools may become more formed, but keep an eye out for hard, dark brown stools, as this could indicate constipation.1
Red
Red stools could be the result of eating red foods (like beets) or certain medications.1
Pink or red streaks in stools can result from a cow's milk protein allergy, anal fissure or hemorrhoids from constipation, or bacterial infection. Please consult your pediatrician if you see blood in your baby’s stool.1
Grey/White
White stools are rare in babies. If you notice your baby passing white stools, consult your pediatrician immediately as it might mean your baby has an underlying liver or gallbladder condition.1
Black
Newborns should pass black, tarry stools for the first few days after birth. These black tarry stools are known as meconium, and are a newborn’s first bowel movements that were forming in their intestines before birth. Most newborns should pass meconium within the first 24-48 hours of life.1
If your baby is not passing stools within 24 hours or continues to pass meconium beyond 48 hours, consult your doctor.1
Green/Yellow
After the first 48 hours, babies pass dark greenish/yellow stools known as transitional stools. These stools are called transitional because babies' stool changes colour and consistency as they clear the meconium and begin digesting breastmilk or formula.1
Yellow
Yellow stools are common with breastfed and formula-fed babies. Breastfed babies pass stools that are often a mustard colour and are more watery consistency than formula fed babies.1 Formula fed babies pass stools that are often a more tan colour and are slightly firmer (a consistency no firmer than peanut butter) compared to breastfed babies.1
Green
Infants can also have green stools. Green is a normal colour for baby stools for both breastfed and formula fed babies.1
Brown
Infants can also have brown stools. Brown stools occur commonly once your baby starts eating solids.
Stools may become more formed, but keep an eye out for hard, dark brown stools, as this could indicate constipation.1
Red
Red stools could be the result of eating red foods (like beets) or certain medications.1
Pink or red streaks in stools can result from a cow's milk protein allergy, anal fissure or hemorrhoids from constipation, or bacterial infection. Please consult your pediatrician if you see blood in your baby’s stool.1
Grey/White
White stools are rare in babies. If you notice your baby passing white stools, consult your pediatrician immediately as it might mean your baby has an underlying liver or gallbladder condition.1
FROM ENFAMIL A+®
Do you have questions about your baby’s stool colour?
If so, don’t be embarrassed! Decoding stool colour is one of the first tasks you face as a new parent. Babies develop very quickly, and their digestive systems change as they grow. Stool colour can range in hue and consistency and varies depending on whether your baby is formula fed or breastfed.1 Check out the stool colour chart and additional details from Enfamil A+ below to help figure out what your baby’s bowel movements mean.
We hope that you found our stool colour chart helpful! Check out our guide to baby poop and diarrhea for more information on baby stool colour and what’s appropriate for your infant’s age.
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