Normal Bowel Movements in Babies

Normal bowel movements (poop) in babies are soft and even runny. Some babies poop after every feeding. Others (especially breastfed babies) may go a week or more between poops. As long as your baby's bowel movements are soft and your baby seems well, your baby's poops are probably normal.

• Continue feeding your baby in the usual way. Do not switch formulas or make other changes without talking to your health care provider first.

• Do not give your baby laxatives, mineral oil, enemas, or other treatments without talking to your health care provider first. These can cause problems in babies who do not need them.

• Your baby's poop is hard, dry, or looks like little pellets.

• Your baby's poop is white, gray, or black.

• There's blood in your baby's poop.

• Your baby isn't eating as usual.

• Your baby is spitting up more than usual.

• Your baby's spit-up is green or yellow, or has blood in it.

• Your baby strains more than 10 minutes to poop.

• Your baby is a lot fussier than usual.

• You have questions or concerns about your baby.

What should my baby's poop look like? Your baby's poop can look different from day to day, even when there is no change in his or her diet. A baby's first bowel movement is dark brown and thick. Then, the poop can be greenish-brown, yellow-brown, or light brown. A breastfed baby's poop might be very runny at first. Formula-fed babies tend to have bowel movements that are a little firmer.

Why does my baby strain to have a bowel movement? Many babies strain and even turn bright red when trying to have a bowel movement. They strain because the muscles that push out the poop are still developing. It's normal if your baby strains for a few minutes and then has a soft poop.