Stool Colour Decoder
Figure out what your baby’s bowel movements mean.
FROM ENFAMIL A+®
Do you have questions about your baby’s stool colour?
If so, don’t be embarrassed! Decoding stool colour is one of the first tasks you face as a new parent. Babies develop very quickly, and their digestive systems change as they grow. Stool colour ranges in hue and consistency and varies depending on whether your baby is formula fed or breastfed. Check out the stool colour chart and additional details from Enfamil A+ below to help figure out what your baby’s bowel movements mean.
Black
Newborns can pass black, tarry stools for the first few days after birth. These black tarry stools are known as meconium, and are the newborns first stools. Most newborns should pass meconium within the first 24 hours of life.
If your baby is older and passing black stools or not passing stools within 24 hours, consult your pediatrician.
Green/Yellow
After the first 48 hours, babies pass dark greenish/yellow stools known as transitional stools. These stools are called transitional stools because babies stool changes colour and consistency from meconium as the baby begins digesting breastmilk or formula.
Yellow
Yellow stools are common with breastfed and formula-fed babies. Breastfed babies pass stools that are often a mustard colour and are a more watery consistency than formula fed babies. Formula fed babies pass stools that are often a more tan colour and are and slightly firmer (a consistency no firmer than peanut butter) compared to breastfed babies.
Green
Infants can also have green stools. Green is a normal colour for baby stools.
Brown
Infants can also have brown stools. Brown stools occur commonly once your baby starts eating solids.
Stools may become more formed, but keep an eye out for hard, dark brown stools, as this could indicate constipation.
Red
Red stools could be the result of eating red foods (like beets) or certain medications, but it could also be an indication of something more serious.
Pink or red streaks in stools can result from a milk allergy, rectal fissure or bacterial infection. It may be nothing serious, but you should consult your pediatrician just to be safe.
Grey/White
White stools are rare in babies. If you notice your baby passing white stools, consult your pediatrician immediately as it might mean your baby is not properly digesting food or a has an underlying liver condition.
Black
Newborns can pass black, tarry stools for the first few days after birth. These black tarry stools are known as meconium, and are the newborns first stools. Most newborns should pass meconium within the first 24 hours of life.
If your baby is older and passing black stools or not passing stools within 24 hours, consult your pediatrician.
Green/Yellow
After the first 48 hours, babies pass dark greenish/yellow stools known as transitional stools. These stools are called transitional stools because babies stool changes colour and consistency from meconium as the baby begins digesting breastmilk or formula.
Yellow
Yellow stools are common with breastfed and formula-fed babies. Breastfed babies pass stools that are often a mustard colour and are a more watery consistency than formula fed babies. Formula fed babies pass stools that are often a more tan colour and are and slightly firmer (a consistency no firmer than peanut butter) compared to breastfed babies.
Green
Infants can also have green stools. Green is a normal colour for baby stools.
Brown
Infants can also have brown stools. Brown stools occur commonly once your baby starts eating solids.
Stools may become more formed, but keep an eye out for hard, dark brown stools, as this could indicate constipation.
Red
Red stools could be the result of eating red foods (like beets) or certain medications, but it could also be an indication of something more serious.
Pink or red streaks in stools can result from a milk allergy, rectal fissure or bacterial infection. It may be nothing serious, but you should consult your pediatrician just to be safe.
Grey/White
White stools are rare in babies. If you notice your baby passing white stools, consult your pediatrician immediately as it might mean your baby is not properly digesting food or a has an underlying liver condition.
FROM ENFAMIL A+®
Do you have questions about your baby’s stool colour?
If so, don’t be embarrassed! Decoding stool colour is one of the first tasks you face as a new parent. Babies develop very quickly, and their digestive systems change as they grow. Stool colour ranges in hue and consistency and varies depending on whether your baby is formula fed or breastfed. Check out the stool colour chart and additional details from Enfamil A+ below to help figure out what your baby’s bowel movements mean.
We hope that you found our stool colour chart helpful! Check out our guide for baby bowel movements for more information on baby stool colour.
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