Do you sometimes notice something different about your baby’s poop when you change nappies? Most parents just categorise baby poop into just a few types, but there are actually several types of poop and each of them signifies something, whether as a warning sign or just a normal occurrence that you don’t have to worry about.

Baby poop has so many variations that even expert parents may not have seen them all. These differences in appearance can provide clues as to potential problems.

The important thing is to find out what is normal and what is not, so that you can identify early if there’s something going on and if there’s a need to make changes in your baby’s diet or eating routines. Learn below the types of baby poop and what they mean.

Newborn baby poop

A few days after birth, your baby’s poop will look significantly different. Newborn babies have a greenish-black, tarry, sticky poop that looks like motor oil. This is called meconium which is made up of amniotic fluid, mucus, skin cells and other things ingested into the utero. A week after birth, you should notice a slight change on your baby’s poop and will look green and less viscous than meconium.

Is your baby breastfed or formula-fed?

Breastfed baby poop is normal when the color is mustard yellow, green or brown color. It is naturally seedy and pasty in texture and may look like diarrhea because of its marked fluidity.  On the other hand, normal formula-fed baby poop is normally a shade of yellow or brown with a pasty consistency that resembles peanut butter. Formula-fed babies also pass fewer, albeit more sizable and more smelly poop than breastfed babies. Baby poop that is orange, yellow or brown in color is completely normal in breastfed and bottle fed babies.

Black blood in baby poop

Oftentimes, if your baby’s poop has little specks of black blood in it, it means a baby has digested blood while breastfeeding on his or her mother’s cracked and bleeding nipples. Though this does not pose a threat to your baby, it’s a good idea to check with a doctor to make sure the blood is not a symptom of something more serious.

Fluid, runny baby poop

A baby’s diarrhea is typically green, yellow or brown and runny. It can signify an infection or allergy. If it goes too long without treatment, it may lead to dehydration. Seek the help of a medical professional for guidance and treatment.

Is your baby’s poop hard and pebble-like?

Your baby may be constipated if his or her poop is hard and looks like pebbles. This usually happens after being introduced to solid foods. This could also be an indication of sensitivity to milk or soy, or an intolerance to something in breast milk or formula.

Red blood in baby poop

Your baby’s poop can manifest in red color because of a certain food or drink. However, red baby poop can also be a sign of blood in the stool. Red blood found in normal poop could indicate a milk protein allergy, while red blood in diarrhea could mean your baby has a bacterial infection.

Mucus in baby poop

Slimy, green-colored streaks with glistening strings in your baby’s poop can mean mucus is present. Although it can happen when your baby is drooling, mucus in baby poop can also be a sign of infection.