Newborn

When Dad’s shirt matches the newborn poo colour chart… you know it’s a good antenatal class! 

During a recent P2B private antenatal session we covered all things newborn — including one of the most talked-about topics… baby poop! We even had a laugh when we realised Dad’s shirt perfectly matched my poo colour chart 

So let’s talk about what’s normal in those early weeks:

✨ The first poo — Meconium
Your newborn’s first poops are usually dark green/black and sticky (almost tar-like). This is called meconium and it’s completely normal as baby clears what’s been in their gut during pregnancy. You’ll often see this for the first few days.

✨ Transitional poo
As milk intake increases (breast or formula), poos begin to change — often a mix of green and yellow. This is known as transitional stool.

✨ After the first week… there’s a BIG range of normal!
Some babies poo many times a day, some only a few times a week, and some breastfed babies may go several days without a poo — all can be normal.

💡 You may notice baby poo during or just after feeds — this is called the gastro-colic reflex. Waiting until after the feed to change the nappy can sometimes save you from a double change!

Breastfed baby poo:
Usually soft, yellow (sometimes green), and often described as mustard-like. It may be runny and typically has a mild, slightly sweet smell. Frequency often slows after the early weeks but the texture stays soft until solids begin.

Formula-fed baby poo:
Often a little firmer, with colours ranging from yellow to green to brown. It shouldn’t be hard — if you’re concerned, check in with your GP or child health nurse.

Remember — baby poo can vary A LOT, and most variations are completely normal

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