Breastfed Stools, Normal

• Meconium Stools are dark greenish-black, thick and sticky. They normally are passed during the first 2 days of life.
• Transitional Stools (a mix of meconium and milk stools) are greenish-brown and loose. They are passed day 3 to 4 of life. While breastmilk is coming in (Days 1 to 4), babies should pass at least one stool per day. By day 5, passing black or dark green stools is abnormal and lactation needs assessment.
• Normal Breastmilk Stools without any meconium present are seen from day 5 onward. Once breastmilk is in, breastfed babies pass from 3 stools per day to 1 after each feeding during the first month. The stools are runny, mustard-colored and can contain seedy particles. Normal breastfed stools can even become green or have a water-ring around them during the first month. (Reason: rapid transit)
• Between 4 and 8 weeks of age, some breastfed babies change to infrequent BMs. They pass 1 soft BM every 4 to 12 days. (Reason: complete absorption)
• If breastfed babies receive any formula, their stools become darker, more frequent, more formed and odorous.
• Breastfed stools have changed to true diarrhea if:
  • They contain blood or mucus
  • Develop a bad odor or abruptly increase in number
  • Your baby feeds poorly, acts sick, or develops a fever