Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
  • Suitable for 0-18Months

Poos and wees

By Raising Children Network
 
 
Newborn having nappy changed
 
  • Your newborn’s first poo will be a dark green substance (called meconium). This is normal – it’s just your baby’s body cleaning itself out after being in the womb. You might still see some dark green for a few poos.
  • Young babies can wee and poo many times every day, and having lots of wet nappies is a good sign – it shows that your child is getting all the fluids he needs.
  • Your baby has no control over when he poos or wees, so don’t take it personally when he wees on you during a nappy change.
  • The wetting will be less frequent as your baby gets older but will still happen at least 6-8 times a day.
  • Darker wee is one sign that your child might be dehydrated or not feeding enough.
  • With absorbent disposable nappies, the weight of the nappy is a better test than how wet it feels.

Looking at poo

As the weeks pass, you can expect variations in:

  • how often your baby passes poo
  • the colour of the poo
  • consistency – firm, runny and everything between
  • smell – generally gets more smelly as the baby begins eating solids.

Type of dietAppearance of poo
Breastmilk

Quite runny, a bit like mustard, often a yellow-orange colour, but sometimes green.
After a few months it will be less frequent but still quite soft.
Breastmilk poo can smell quite sweet.

Formula

Firmer in general but can vary a lot in colour and consistency.
May be grey-yellow, or even grey-blue, or some shades of brown.   

Change from one formula to another Can lead to changes in appearance and regularity of poo.
SolidsPoo becomes firmer and smellier once solids are introduced. Some solids can seem still undigested. This is because your baby’s digestive system is still developing.
If your baby seems to be putting a lot of effort into pooing, it does not necessarily mean he is constipated. Young babies often go red-faced, grunt or even cry during pooing but will grow out of this when they get more used to the experience.

How do I spot …

Constipation – Poo is hard and dry, and looks like marbles. This kind of poo makes it difficult to pass, which can be upsetting for the baby. If this continues or you spot any blood in the poo, speak with your doctor or child health nurse. This is more likely to occur in bottle-fed babies, usually if the formula has been made without enough water.

Diarrhoea – More runny (even watery) poos passed more often than usual. If accompanied by vomiting, there may be a gut infection and it is important to see the doctor immediately to avoid your baby dehydrating.

 
  • Last reviewed15-05-2006