What colour should my baby’s poo be?

Nobody warns you how much you will discuss poo

Before Ari, we did not imagine photographing nappies and debating shades of yellow. Then she arrived and suddenly one green nappy felt like breaking news.

Breastfed poo is often mustard yellow, loose and seedy. Formula or mixed feeding usually makes it darker and firmer. Ari had both breast milk and Alfaré, so her nappies did not always match the classic breastfed picture.

The pattern matters more than one nappy

Ari often did one proper poo and then left smaller yellow stains through the day. We wondered whether those counted. What mattered more was that the poo stayed soft, she fed well and wet nappies continued.

Green can look alarming and still be ordinary. A change in milk, digestion or the type of formula can change the colour without anything being wrong. Some formulas can make poo dark green.

The three colours worth remembering

White or chalky-pale poo, visible blood or red, and black poo after the first newborn days are the ones to show your baby’s doctor or nurse.

Our most practical discovery was also the easiest: take a photo. Trying to describe ‘mustard, but slightly greener than yesterday’ over the phone helps nobody.