Your Baby's Poop Color: What's Normal?

Answer: Your baby's poop color can be a variety of colors, including brown, green or even yellow. The key here is to pay attention to the texture, color and frequency of these stools. Here's a handy guide for figuring out if your baby's poop color is normal:

Your Baby's Poop Color: What's Normal?

~ Light brown: Babies who are strictly formula-fed commonly produce light brown stools, sometimes with the all-too-familiar odor of released gas. This is a completely normal color, and should be expected if you bottle feed your baby. According to Jay L. Hoecker, M.D., an emeritus consultant for the Mayo Clinic, light yellow or green tones are also common.

~ Dark brown: Just like adults, babies who eat solid food normally produce dark brown, solid stools. The consistency can vary from day to day. What's not normal: watery, loose stools or dark brown stools mixed with blood. This can indicate digestive problems.

~ Blackish green: Newborns first produce this color when they begin to have bowel movements. Breastfeeding your baby helps speed up this process--new breast milk has a mild laxative effect. When it's not normal: When it occurs weeks or months after the baby's birth.

~ Green or yellow brown: Babies being started on the breast or bottle commonly develop greenish brown or yellowish brown poop. It's a sign of a healthy, satisfied baby. It often has a soft, mushy texture, but is never runny.

~ Bright colors: If your baby's poop color turns bright red, purple or blue, check your diet. Foods with strong food coloring can transfer to the breast milk, affecting the color of your baby's bowel movements. I must emphasize: this is not dangerous. Avoid eating foods dyed with food coloring if you want to eliminate it.

Ideally, your baby's poop color should vary from time to time, but it shouldn't suddenly change in texture or color. Visit your local doctor if there is a sudden change in your baby's bowel movements. Any sudden signs of distress, such as crying or fussing, also warrants a trip to the doctor's office.

Source(s): Jay L. Hoecker, M.D., "Baby poop: What's normal?" (MayoClinic.com)