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Baby poo colour chart: what's normal and what's not

Baby poo changes colour a lot in the first weeks, and almost all of it is normal. It runs from black meconium at birth, through green “changing” stools, to mustard-yellow (breastfed) or tan (formula). Only two colours always need checking: pale/chalky and red or black (blood).

Baby poo colour chart

Black / dark green, sticky (meconium)Normal in the first 1–2 days. This is meconium — tar-like and hard to wipe. It should clear by day 3–4.
Green-brown, looser (changing stool)Normal around day 3–4 as your milk comes in and meconium clears.
Mustard yellow, seedy, runnyThe classic breastfed poo from about day 5. Often loose and frequent — not diarrhoea.
Tan / pale brown, pastyNormal for formula-fed or mixed-fed babies — firmer and stronger smelling than breastfed poo.
GreenUsually harmless — can follow a lot of foremilk, a tummy bug, or iron in formula. Worth watching if it’s frequent, frothy and your baby is unsettled.
Pale, white or chalkyNot normal at any age. Can signal a liver problem — contact your GP or midwife the same day.
Red (blood) or black after day 4Blood in poo, or black poo once meconium has cleared, needs same-day medical advice.

Green poo in a breastfed baby

Occasional green poo is common and usually nothing to worry about. It can happen after a cold or tummy bug, when your baby is teething later on, or sometimes when they’re taking lots of quick, watery foremilk and less of the richer hindmilk. If green, frothy poos are frequent and your baby is unsettled or not gaining well, it’s worth a feeding check — but a green nappy here and there in a happy, thriving baby isn’t a problem.

How often, and how runny?

Breastfed newborns often poo at almost every feed, and the poo is typically loose and seedy — that’s normal, not diarrhoea. Formula-fed babies tend to go less often with firmer, paler poo. After 6 weeks or so, some breastfed babies go days between poos, which can be fine if the poo stays soft and your baby is comfortable and feeding well. For what to expect day by day, see our wet and dirty nappies guide.

When to get help

Contact your GP, midwife or health visitor the same day if you see:

  • Pale, white or chalky poo — at any age. Compare against a stool colour card if your area provides one.
  • Blood in the poo (red streaks or specks), or poo that is black after day 4 once meconium has gone.
  • Watery diarrhoea that keeps coming, especially with fewer wet nappies, a fever, vomiting, or signs of dehydration.
  • A hard, dry, pellet-like poo, or a baby who seems in pain to go.

Trust your instincts — if your baby also seems unwell, floppy or won’t feed, seek advice urgently or call NHS 111.

If you’re worried, contact your midwife, health visitor or GP, or call NHS 111. In an emergency call 999. Trust your instincts.

Snapping a photo and logging the colour each time means you (and your health visitor) can see what’s normal for your baby and spot a real change fast. Beanlo lets you log nappy colour in a tap and flags the colours that need attention.

Track it, don’t carry it in your head

Beanlo logs nappies, feeds, weight and sleep and shows you what’s normal for each day — free, and shareable with your partner or health visitor.

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