Baby Poo Guide: Colour, Smell & When to Worry

Baby Poo Colour: What’s Normal?

Formula-fed baby poo can vary quite a bit in colour — and most of the time, that’s completely normal. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand what’s expected:

Common Colours:

• Light yellow, green or brown – Typical for babies on standard cow’s milk-based formula

• Mustard to dark green – Often seen with hydrolysed protein or specialty formulas

• Mixed feeding – Poo may appear as a blend of yellow and green, depending on how much breast milk is given

When to Seek Help:

• Red, black or white poo – Seek medical advice straight away

• Grey or pale yellow – May indicate a digestive issue that needs attention

Note: Starting solids or switching formulas can also change poo colour. What matters most is your baby’s overall health and behaviour. If something feels off, always trust your instincts and chat with your healthcare professional.

Baby Poo Smell

Let’s be honest — all baby poo smells. And formula-fed babies often have stronger-smelling poos than breastfed ones. That’s totally normal and nothing to worry about.

Changes in smell can happen when:

• You introduce solid foods

• You change or switch formulas

• You transition from breastfeeding to formula feeding

Unless there are other signs of illness, changes in smell alone are rarely cause for concern.