Yesterday, while I was at work, my wife sent me a picture of Nayul's 💩. The sudden image took me by surprise, and she asked if the color seemed okay. I honestly didn’t know, but it reminded me that somewhere I'd heard that you can tell a lot about a baby's health from the color of their poop.
So, what does each color signify? I looked it up briefly.
Dark Green:
This was the color of Nayul's stool in the picture. Generally, dark green stool is not concerning unless it's loose. A possible cause could be food mixing with bile from the liver, which turns green. This can be associated with increased bile production or quick passage through the intestines. For formula-fed babies, the high iron content not fully absorbed can turn the stool green. For breastfed babies, it can be due to the mother's diet or if the baby consumes more foremilk than the fatty hindmilk, leading to increased lactose and faster bowel movements.
Yellow:
Yellow is a color resulting from bile not being fully absorbed. It's a natural and healthy color for stool. For breastfed babies, it can appear as a brighter mustard yellow. If the stool is very watery, it could indicate an infection or a virus. If you notice watery stools more than three times a day, it's recommended to visit a doctor.
Brown:
Brown stools typically appear once solid foods are introduced. As the baby’s diet begins to resemble an adult’s, the color of the stool also starts to look similar.
All the above colors – green, yellow, or brown – are normal. The variation is usually due to feeding methods or how quickly food is digested. However, extremely watery (possible gastroenteritis) or very hard (possible constipation) stools should be of concern. But, if you notice the following colors, you should be wary:
Red:
Not all red shades are problematic. Minor red spots can result from constipation or the baby swallowing blood from a mother's cracked nipple. However, if the stool has an overall reddish hue or there's significant blood, it could indicate bacterial infections or gastrointestinal damage, warranting a visit to the hospital.
Black:
While iron-rich food or medicine can cause black stools, if this is not the case, it might indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. It's advised to bring the diaper to the hospital for precise diagnosis.
White:
Pale or white stools can suggest bile duct obstruction. This means bile isn’t being released from the liver, potentially leading to liver damage and ultimately cirrhosis. It could also be a sign of congenital diseases, which are more common in newborns. Immediate medical attention is required.
In summary, we've taken a brief look at the different colors of a newborn's stool. Today, while working from home, I had moments feeding Nayul, giving him a trim, and even having a short nap together. At one point, Nayul was so focused on a picture book; it was heartwarming to see, so I captured the moment on video.
Study notes from April 25th, 2023