Newborn Poop and Diapers: What's Normal

The American Academy of Pediatrics says a newborn's first stools are blackish and tarry, a substance called meconium. ¹ The American Academy of Pediatrics says that after the first few days the meconium passes and the stools turn yellow-green. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says a breastfed baby's stools soon become yellow liquid mixed with seed-like particles. ²

Key takeaways

• The American Academy of Pediatrics says that on days 1 and 2 a well-fed breastfed baby has 1 or 2 bowel movements a day of blackish, tarry meconium. ¹
• The American Academy of Pediatrics says that by 5 to 7 days old a breastfed baby's stools should be yellow and loose with small curds, at least 3 to 4 per day. ¹
• The American Academy of Pediatrics says that by 5 to 7 days old a breastfed baby getting enough milk should have 6 or more wet diapers a day, with nearly colorless or pale yellow urine. ¹
• The NHS says that from day 5 onwards a breastfed baby should have at least 6 heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours. ³
• The American Academy of Pediatrics says that in the first week a pink or brick-red stain on the diaper is usually highly concentrated urine rather than blood, and that if the staining persists parents should consult their pediatrician. ²

Urgent: newborn diaper warning signs

**The American Academy of Pediatrics says large amounts of blood, mucus, or water in the stool are a reason to call the pediatrician immediately. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that if streaks of blood are accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, poor feeding, vomiting, fever, or bleeding elsewhere, a parent should seek medical attention immediately. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says a parent should call the pediatrician if diarrhea occurs together with a rectal fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit in an infant less than three months old. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that after the first week, actual blood in the urine or a bloody spot on the diaper is never normal and the pediatrician should be notified, though newborn girls may have a small spot of blood in the first week caused by the birth parent's hormones. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that urination should never be painful, and that a parent should notify the pediatrician if they notice any signs of distress while their infant is urinating. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says a newborn's first checkup with the pediatrician or family physician should be scheduled no more than 48 hours after hospital discharge. ¹ In the UK, the NHS says that if you have concerns about how much milk your baby is getting, it is important to ask for help early, and to speak to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist. ³**

**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓

What should newborn poop look like?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says a newborn's first stools are blackish and tarry meconium. ¹ The American Academy of Pediatrics says that after the first few days the meconium passes and the stools turn yellow-green. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says a breastfed baby's stools soon become "yellow liquid mixed with some particles that remind many parents of little seeds." ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that by 5 to 7 days old a breastfed baby's stools should be yellow and loose with small curds. ¹ The NHS says that from the fourth day a breastfed baby should do "at least 2 soft, yellow poos the size of a £2 coin every day for the first few weeks." ³

What is meconium?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that on days 1 and 2 of life a well-fed breastfed baby has 1 or 2 bowel movements a day of blackish, tarry meconium. ¹ The American Academy of Pediatrics says meconium is a "thick black or dark green substance," and that once it is passed the stools turn yellow-green. ²

How many wet and dirty diapers should a newborn have?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says a breastfed baby who is getting enough milk should have 6 or more wet diapers a day, with nearly colorless or pale yellow urine, by 5 to 7 days old. ¹ The NHS says that in the first 48 hours a baby is likely to have only 2 or 3 wet nappies. ³ The NHS says that from day 5 onwards a breastfed baby should have at least 6 heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours. ³ The American Academy of Pediatrics says that on days 1 and 2 a well-fed breastfed baby has 1 or 2 bowel movements a day of blackish, tarry meconium. ¹ The American Academy of Pediatrics says that by 5 to 7 days old a breastfed baby's stools should be yellow and loose with small curds, and that the baby should have at least 3 to 4 of these a day. ¹ The NHS says that from the fourth day a breastfed baby should do at least 2 soft, yellow poos the size of a £2 coin every day for the first few weeks. ³ The NHS says that if you have concerns about how much milk your baby is getting, it is important to ask for help early, and to speak to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist. ³

When is newborn poop a warning sign?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that in the first week a pink or brick-red stain on the diaper is usually a sign of highly concentrated urine rather than blood. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that as long as the baby is wetting at least four diapers a day there is probably no cause for concern, and that if the pinkish staining persists parents should consult their pediatrician. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says large amounts of blood, mucus, or water in the stool are a reason to call the pediatrician immediately. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that if streaks of blood are accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, poor feeding, vomiting, fever, or bleeding elsewhere, a parent should seek medical attention immediately. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says a parent should call the pediatrician if diarrhea occurs together with a rectal fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit in an infant less than three months old. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that after the first week, actual blood in the urine or a bloody spot on the diaper is never normal and the pediatrician should be notified. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that newborn girls may have a small spot of blood in the diaper in the first week, caused by the birth parent's hormones. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that urination should never be painful, and that a parent should notify the pediatrician if they notice any signs of distress while their infant is urinating. ²

Frequently asked questions

What should newborn poop look like?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says a newborn's first stools are blackish and tarry meconium. ¹ The American Academy of Pediatrics says a breastfed baby's stools soon become "yellow liquid mixed with some particles that remind many parents of little seeds." ²

What is meconium?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that on days 1 and 2 a well-fed breastfed baby has 1 or 2 bowel movements a day of blackish, tarry meconium. ¹ The American Academy of Pediatrics says meconium is a "thick black or dark green substance," and that once it is passed the stools turn yellow-green. ²

How many wet and dirty diapers should a newborn have?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that by 5 to 7 days old a breastfed baby getting enough milk should have "6 or more wet diapers per day, with nearly colorless or pale yellow urine." ¹ The NHS says that from day 5 onwards a breastfed baby should have at least 6 heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours. ³

When is newborn poop a warning sign?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says large amounts of blood, mucus, or water in the stool are a reason to call the pediatrician immediately. ² The American Academy of Pediatrics says that after the first week, actual blood in the urine or a bloody spot on the diaper is never normal and the pediatrician should be notified. ²

A note from us

We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.

Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.

When we name an organisation such as the CDC, the NHS, La Leche League, or the Israeli Ministry of Health, we are only citing their published guidance; it does not mean they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with us. They have no involvement with this site, and we never use their logos or seals.

Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.

We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.

If something feels urgent, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services.

Read our full Medical Disclaimer · How we research and write · Content Terms

Sources

1. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/How-to-Tell-if-Baby-is-Getting-Enough-Milk.aspx (retrieved 2026-07-10).
2. HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/babys-first-days-bowel-movements-and-urination.aspx (retrieved 2026-07-10).
3. NHS (National Health Service, UK). https://www.nhs.uk/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-problems/enough-milk/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).