Normal bowel movements (poop) in babies are soft and even runny. Some babies poop after every feeding. Others (especially breastfed babies) may go a week or more between poops. As long as your baby seems well and has soft bowel movements, your baby's poops are probably normal.

• Continue feeding your baby in the usual way. Do not switch formulas or make other changes without talking to your health care provider first.
• Do not give your baby laxatives, mineral oil, enemas, or other treatments without talking to your health care provider first. These can cause problems in babies who do not need them.

Your baby:

• has poop that is hard, dry, or looks like little pellets
• has poop that is white, gray, or black
• has blood in the poop
• isn't eating as usual
• is spitting up more than usual
• has spit-up that is green or yellow, or has blood in it
• strains more than 10 minutes to poop
• is a lot fussier than usual

You know your baby best. Always call if you have questions or concerns about your baby.

What should my baby's poop look like? Your baby's poop can look different from day to day, even when there is no change in their diet. A baby's first bowel movement is dark brown and thick. Then, the poop can be greenish-brown, yellow-brown, or light brown. A breastfed baby's poop is often runny, seedy, and looks like yellow mustard. Formula-fed babies tend to have bowel movements that are a little thicker, like peanut butter or hummus.

Why does my baby strain to have a bowel movement? Many babies strain and even turn bright red when trying to have a bowel movement. They strain because the muscles that push out the poop are still developing. It's normal if your baby strains for a few minutes and then has a soft poop.