It's important to pay attention to the consistency of your baby's bowel movements. For example, especially watery bowel movements may indicate diarrhea — and bowel movements that look like pebbles may indicate constipation.
* Green-black. During the first two days after birth, a baby's bowel movements are greenish-black and tarry. This type of baby poop is known as meconium.
* Green-brown. As the baby begins digesting breast milk or formula, meconium is replaced with green-brown bowel movements.
* Yellow-brown. By about three days after birth, breast-fed babies usually have yellow-brown, mushy bowel movements.
* Yellow. By about five days after birth, breast-fed babies usually have seedy, loose bowel movements that are yellow to yellow-green or tan in color.
* Light brown. Formula-fed babies usually have light brown, pasty bowel movements. The color may sometimes take on a yellow, tan or green hue.
* Dark brown. Babies eating solid food usually have dark brown bowel movements. You may also find chunks of undigested food in your baby's bowel movements.
* Other colors. Babies eating solid food may occasionally have bowel movements in seemingly odd colors. For example, baby poop may look red after eating beets or may contain streaks of dark blue after eating blueberries. Green and orange bowel movements are possible, too.
If you're concerned about the color or consistency of your baby's bowel movements, contact your baby's doctor. This is especially important if your baby's bowel movements are:
* Black (except shortly after birth)
* Red or bloody
* White or gray
* Consistently watery
* Consistently large, hard or difficult to pass
The doctor can help you determine what's normal for your baby — and when treatment might be needed.
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