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Poos and wees

By Raising Children Network
 
 

Understanding and examining your baby’s poo and wee isn’t disgusting. It’s one of the best ways you can check on baby’s health.

Newborn having nappy changed
 

The basics

Your newborn’s first poo will be a dark green substance (called meconium). This is normal – it’s just his 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. Having lots of wet nappies is a good sign – it shows that your child is getting all the fluids she needs. The wetting will be less frequent as your baby gets older, but will still happen at least 6-8 times a day.

If your baby wears absorbent disposable nappies and you want to check how much he’s weeing, the weight of the nappy is a better test than how wet it feels. Also, sometimes there can be small ‘crystals’ on the inner surface of a disposable nappy. These come from the inside of the nappy, not from your baby.

Your baby has no control over when she poos or wees, so don’t take it personally if she wees on you during a nappy change.

Looking at wee

Every time your baby wees, examine the stream or stain. This will tell you a lot about your baby’s health.

Light pink or orange stains are nothing to worry about. They’re caused by the wee reacting with chemicals in the nappy, and are quite common. Darker wee, on the other hand, is a sign that your child might be dehydrated or not feeding enough.

If the wee stains are red or brown, and you suspect the presence of blood or you think your baby isn’t well, consult your doctor immediately.

Looking at poo

As the weeks pass, you can expect variations in:

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

Type of dietAppearance of poo
Breastmilk
  • It will be 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. It can also be affected by what you eat, because your body absorbs this as well.
Formula
  • Poo is generally firmer but can vary a lot in colour and consistency.
  • Poo can be grey-yellow (or even grey-blue), or some shades of brown.   
Change from one formula to another 
  • This can lead to changes in appearance and regularity of poo.
Solids
  • Poo becomes firmer and smellier once solids are introduced.
  • Some solids can seem undigested. This is because your baby’s digestive system is still developing.

Spotting poo problems

Constipation
This is when the poo is hard and dry, and looks like marbles. This kind of poo is difficult for your baby to push out, which can be upsetting for her. 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.

If your baby seems to be putting a lot of effort into pooing, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s constipated. Young babies often go red-faced, grunt or even cry during pooing, but can grow out of this when they get more used to the experience.

Diarrhoea
This is when your baby does more runny (even watery) poos, more often than usual. If your baby’s vomiting as well, he might have a gut infection. It’s important to see the doctor immediately to avoid your baby dehydrating.

 
 
 
  • Last updated13-01-2011
  • Last reviewed01-10-2009