Now time for another installment of….
And if you didn’t read that with your best Game Show Announcer voice, go back and read it again. Life is way better when narrated by Game Show Announcers and Movie Trailer Voice Overs.
Short Story: Even our poop has a tale to tell. Ever since Dr.Oz dropped some bowel knowledge to the housewives of North America on Oprah you’ve probably been peeping in the bowl yourself. Now you have a baby and there’s no avoiding the visual acknowledgement….and the questions. The colour of the poop can indicate a few things they have going on in their little bodies
Long Story:
Chart below is applicable to breastfed babies. Eating solid foods, toys, crayons and other edible and non-edible items will have an effect on the colour and texture.
| Colour |
What it Could Mean |
Source |
| Black and tarry |
Giving Birth: Nailed It | Your uterus |
| Dark Green/Black, constipated |
Baby is getting a lot of iron (fortified cereals, formula) |
1 |
| Green, frothy |
Lactose overload and/or a hindmilk/foremilk imbalance. Consult a lactation consultant about block nursing |
1 |
| Yellow/Mustard to Brown |
Normal BF poop. Yellow means milk is moving through baby’s body quickly and brown more slowly |
2, 3 |
| Red (blood) |
Blood in stool may mean a tear of baby’s anus or hemorrhoids; a milk allergy; or an infection. Best to see a Dr. about blood in the stool. If blood is black it means it has been digested and may be from mom’s cracked nipples |
2 |
| White |
May indicate use of antacids; an infection; problems with the liver; or problems with bile production |
3 , 4 |
| Pale, Foul Smelling, Fatty |
Possible gluten intolerance |
4 |
This list is not inclusive and does not replace the advice of a health professional