A Whole New Hue

Brown, yellow, dark green, black? We’re not talking about the new Pantone color of the year. Your baby’s diapers may have some surprising colors, but we’re here to break them down for you!

Black

Just after birth, you’re likely to see a dark green, almost black poo in your baby’s diaper. This is called meconium and it’s totally normal! You’ll know it’s meconium from it’s tar-like, sticky consistency that is HARD to wash off. Meconium usually shows up in the first three days, but if it continues after that, you may want to contact your provider.

Yellow

If you breast/chestfeed your baby, you might find a mustard yellow hue in their diaper. It can be seedy in appearance and is also tough to wash off.

Greenish Brown

You’ll start to see a transition to this color when your little one begins to eat solid foods.

Tan

Thick, tan poo that may resemble hummus is often seen in formula fed babies.

Dark Green

Dark green poo is nothing to be alarmed about! It is a very common byproduct of baby eating iron enriched formula or foods or taking an iron supplement.

White

White poo with a chalky texture is very rare, but could indicate a serious issue with baby’s gallbladder or liver. You should contact your provider immediately.

Remember, this is just an overview of what your baby’s bowel movements could be telling you. It’s always worth it to reach out to your provider for additional peace of mind.