BABY

Baby poo photos: see what's normal and what's not

Last modified on Tuesday 29 June 2021

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As parents, we've all been obsessed with the contents of our baby's nappy at some point!

That's why we've put together this photo gallery, to help you work out what's normal and what's not when it comes to your baby's poo. It's been reviewed by GP Dr Kenny Livingstone and health visitor Tracey Stone, so you can be confident you're getting the right information.

From that very first newborn nappy (meconium), to healthy breastfed and formula-fed poo, plus green poo, poo with mucus, constipation and diarrhoea – here are some of the most common types of poo you could see in your baby's nappy, and what they might mean.

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Please note that this gallery is for information only. If you have any concerns about your baby's health, it's always best to get them checked out by your health visitor or GP.

Warning: Graphic baby poo photos ahead!

Huge thanks to members of the Netmums forum for the pictures used in this gallery.

How often should my baby poo?

As well as obsessing over the texture and colour of your baby's poo, you've probably also wondered whether they're pooing too much / not enough.

There's no hard-and-fast rule about how often babies should do a poo, but here's a rough guide from the NHS:

On average, newborns do about 4 poos per day, gradually decreasing to about 2 poos a day by the time they're a year old.

Breastfed babies might poo at every feed to start with. After about six weeks, there may be times where they don't poo for several days.

Formula-fed babies might poo up to 5 times a day to start with. After a few months, this can go down to once a day.

Every baby is different, though; the most important thing is just to get to know what's normal for your baby, and let the health visitor know if there are any sudden changes you can't explain.

The final word on baby poo

You know your baby better than anyone else, so always follow your instincts when it comes to what's in their nappy.

It's normal for your baby's poo to gradually change in colour and consistency as they grow and their diet evolves. But if you notice a sudden change in your baby's poo that can't easily be explained (for example, by starting solid foods), it's probably best to seek medical advice, just to be on the safe side.

In particular if your baby has any other symptoms of illness at the same time as their poo changes, it's always a good idea to mention this to your health visitor or GP.

Want a second opinion on your baby's nappy? Share a pic in our forum to see what other parents think, check out our articles for more info, or talk to a Health Visitor in our drop-in clinic – they're available every evening to answer your questions.

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