Diapers & poop
Baby poop color guide: what's normal and what's not
Last reviewed November 2026 against AAP, CDC, NHS and WHO guidance · Sources
Quick answer
Newborn poop starts black and sticky (meconium), turns greenish-brown around days 3–4, then mustard yellow and seedy for breastfed babies or yellow-tan for formula-fed babies by days 5–7. Shades of yellow, green and brown are normal, says the AAP. Red, black after the first days, or white/pale gray poop needs a call.
On this page
What do baby poop colors mean?
| Color | What it usually means | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Black, tar-like | Meconium, days 1–2 | Normal in the first days |
| Dark green to greenish-brown | Transitional stool, days 3–4 | Normal |
| Mustard yellow, seedy | Typical breastfed poop | Normal |
| Yellow-tan, hints of green | Typical formula poop | Normal |
| Green | Can be normal at any age | Normal if baby is well |
| Brown | Common with formula and solids | Normal |
| Red or red streaks | Possible blood | Call your pediatrician |
| Black after the first days | Possible digested blood | Call your pediatrician |
| White, pale gray or chalky | Possible liver problem | Call promptly |
How does newborn poop change in the first week?
- Days 1–2: black, thick and sticky meconium, 1–2 a day.
- Days 3–4: greenish-brown and looser transitional stool, at least 2 a day.
- Days 5–7: yellow and loose with small curds for breastfed babies, at least 3–4 a day (AAP).
- Formula-fed babies: tan or yellow, firmer, at least one a day.
The AAP says that by day 5, black or dark green stools are no longer expected. If you still see them, call your pediatrician.
How often should a baby poop?
In the first month, breastfed babies often poop 4 or more times a day, sometimes after every feed. By 3 to 6 weeks some breastfed babies poop much less often, even once a week, which the AAP says can be normal if stools stay soft and weight gain is good. Formula-fed babies usually have at least one a day.
What textures are worth a call?
- Very watery stools, or large amounts of mucus or blood
- Hard, pebble-like stools, or straining with fewer than one a day in a formula-fed baby
- Diarrhea with a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) in a baby under 3 months
When to call your pediatrician
- Red or bloody stool, or black stool after the first few meconium poops.
- White, pale gray or chalky stool. The AAP says this needs prompt attention.
- Still black or dark green stool on day 5.
- Large amounts of blood, mucus or water in the stool.
- A swollen, hard belly with no poop for more than a day or two, or vomiting.
- A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby 3 months or younger. The AAP says to call right away, even if your baby seems otherwise well.
- Trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, or your baby is limp or very hard to wake: call 911 (or your local emergency number) now.
If something feels wrong, trust that feeling and call. You never need a reason beyond worry.
Questions parents ask
Is green baby poop normal?
Usually, yes. The AAP says shades of yellow, brown and even green are all acceptable after meconium. Call if your baby seems unwell, or the poop is red, black or white.
What color should breastfed baby poop be?
Mustard yellow is the typical color, the AAP says, often loose and seedy. It usually arrives by days 5 to 7.
What color is formula-fed baby poop?
Usually yellow-tan with hints of green, and a bit firmer and smellier than breastfed poop (AAP).
When should I worry about my baby's poop color?
Call your pediatrician for red or bloody stool, black stool after the first few days, or white or pale gray stool. The AAP says pale stool should be checked as soon as possible.
Related guides
- How many wet diapers should a newborn have?Newborn wet and dirty diapers by day, from day 1 to week 2: how many to expect, poop color changes, and when fewer diapers mean it's time to call.
- How to tell if your baby is getting enough breast milkSigns a breastfed baby is getting enough: wet and dirty diapers by day, weight gain, swallowing and contentment after feeds, plus the warning signs to act on.
- Newborn day 3: diapers, poop and feedingDay 3 with a newborn: 3 or more wet diapers, 2 or more poops (greenish-brown transitional stools), 8–12 or more feeds a day, plus what's normal for milk and weight.
- Newborn day 5: diapers, poop and feedingDay 5 with a newborn: 5–6 or more wet diapers, 2–3 or more poops (turning yellow), 8–12 or more feeds a day, plus what's normal for milk and weight.
Free tools
Sources
Last reviewed November 2026. Numbers are ranges from these public health sources; 1 oz ≈ 30 ml.
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: The Many Colors of Baby Poop
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: Baby's First Days: Bowel Movements & Urination
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: How to Tell if Your Breastfed Baby is Getting Enough Milk
- AAP · HealthyChildren.org: Warning Signs of Breastfeeding Problems
- NHS: Breastfeeding: milk supply
Feedoo Baby shares general information, not medical advice. Every baby is different. If you're worried about feeding, weight gain, diapers or your baby's health, call your pediatrician, midwife or health visitor.