Babies' poop frequency varies widely depending on their age, diet (breastfed or formula-fed), and individual digestive patterns.
Newborns (first few weeks)
- Newborns typically poop frequently, sometimes after every feeding, which can be multiple times a day (up to 5-10 times in the first week)
- Breastfed babies often poop more frequently than formula-fed babies, with some breastfed newborns pooping at least 3 times a day, sometimes after each feed
- The first stool (meconium) should appear within the first 24 hours after birth
- By about 4 days to 6 weeks, breastfed babies usually pass at least 2 yellow, soft poos daily because breastmilk acts as a natural laxative
- Formula-fed babies often poop several times a day initially, but this usually settles to about once a day after 6 weeks
Older babies (after 6 weeks)
- Some breastfed babies may poop less often after 6 weeks, sometimes going a few days without pooping, which can still be normal if the stool is soft and the baby is feeding well and gaining weight
- Formula-fed babies tend to have firmer stools and may poop less frequently than breastfed babies, but their poop should still be soft and passed at least every other day
When to be concerned
- If a baby hasn't pooped for more than 4 days (some sources say more than a week), or if stools are hard, dry, or the baby seems uncomfortable or constipated, contact a pediatrician
- Babies under 6 weeks who don't poop daily and are exclusively breastfed may need feeding assessment
- Other signs such as a firm tummy, irritability, or poor feeding alongside infrequent pooping should prompt medical advice
In summary, newborns can poop anywhere from multiple times a day to every few days, with breastfed babies generally pooping more often. After the first few weeks, poop frequency may decrease, especially in breastfed infants, as long as stools remain soft and the baby is healthy
