When your baby is in the womb, they begin to practice drinking by taking in the surrounding amniotic fluid. The fluid builds up in their intestines, then their body gets rid of the waste, filtering the fluid through the digestive tract. Babies pee while they're still in the womb, but most won't poop until after birth.
A baby's first poop, called meconium, is known for being dark, thick, and sticky.
Learn more about meconium, a baby's first poop, and what it should look like after it passes.
What Is Your Baby's First Poop (Meconium)?
Meconium is your baby's first poop. As your baby begins to breastfeed or drink formula, their body will get rid of the meconium, making room for their body to process the milk or formula they're drinking. It's expected that the meconium will pass through your baby's system within the first 24-48 hours after birth.
Ideally, your baby's poop will change color and consistency while you're still in the hospital. This change lets doctors know that your baby's digestive system is working properly.
What Is Meconium Staining?
Meconium staining happens when your baby passes meconium in the amniotic fluid in the womb before birth. Doing this stains the amniotic fluid, giving it a brown or green color. Meconium staining is found in the amniotic fluid in about 12%-20% of baby births and is more common if delivery happens after your due date.
Having meconium-stained amniotic fluid can cause serious problems for your baby. Inhaling meconium can cause breathing trouble after birth, including infections, respiratory distress, or other conditions.
Does Meconium Pose Any Risks?
Meconium isn't harmful after your baby is born, but it can cause complications if your baby passes their first poop in the womb. Some conditions include:
Meconium ileus
Meconium ileus happens when meconium blocks the last part of your newborn's small intestine, known as the ileum. If your baby's first poop is very thick or has a tar-like texture it can lead to blockage and stomach swelling.
The condition can be a sign of cystic fibrosis. Up to 90% of infants with meconium ileus have cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that causes thick mucus buildup in the body that can damage your lungs and other organs.
Your doctor may be able to detect meconium ileus by ultrasound before your baby is born, or after delivery if your baby shows symptoms such as:
- Not pooping within 48 hours of delivery
- Abdominal swelling
- Vomiting
Treatment can include an enema to wash out the blockage. In some cases, your baby may need surgery.
Meconium aspiration
If your baby poops in the womb or during the birthing process, they might develop a dangerous lung condition called meconium aspiration. Babies are more likely to pass meconium before birth if:
- The mother has preeclampsia.
- The labor or delivery is particularly stressful.
- The mother does drugs such as cocaine while pregnant.
- There is an infection around the time of birth (peripartum infection).
Identifying meconium aspiration. After you give birth to your baby, your doctor will check the amniotic fluid for streaks of meconium. This lets them know if your baby is at risk of developing meconium aspiration. Your doctor will also examine your baby to see if they show any signs of the condition, such as:
- Bluish skin
- Difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, grunting, or not breathing on their own at all
- Being limp or no responsiveness at birth
Treating meconium aspiration. Doctors and nurses may rub your baby with a towel to warm them and encourage their body to start breathing. If your baby still struggles to breathe or has a low heart rate, they may apply an oxygen mask to fill your baby's lungs. Your baby may also need:
- Placement in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for monitoring
- Antibiotics, in case there might be an infection
- A ventilator if your baby cannot breathe on their own
- IV nutrition if your baby cannot nurse or take a bottle
- Overhead warmer to maintain your baby's body temperature
Most babies recover from meconium aspiration. Meconium happens in 12%-20% of all live births, so doctors and medical staff are very familiar with how to treat a baby's condition quickly.
Baby's Poop After Meconium
Once meconium passes, your baby's poop will change in color, consistency, and smell. Keep in mind that if your baby is usually breastfed and you use formula once in a while, the color and consistency may change based on how much of each source of food they are receiving.
Breastfed baby poop
The poop of a breastfed baby is very different from that of a formula-fed baby. It is usually softer and yellow in color. You may notice "seeds" in your baby's diaper, too. A breastfed baby may poop multiple times in a day, but it isn't unusual for your baby to go 7-10 days without pooping.
Formula-fed baby poop
If your baby is fed formula, they may have darker, smellier poop than if they were breastfed. This is normal. Generally speaking, your baby's diapers will be smellier and firmer than those of a breastfed baby.
When to be concerned
Any color of poop that resembles an earth tone is considered healthy and normal. This includes the colors yellow, green, brown, and anything in between.
But if your baby's poop is white, red, or black, talk to your baby's doctor. White poop is a sign that your baby's liver is not working correctly. Red poop indicates the presence of fresh blood — either from your baby or from your bleeding nipples if you are breastfeeding. Black poop indicates the presence of old blood since blood turns black with age.
Meconium FAQs
What is meconium made of?
Meconium is made up of cells, water, mucus, hair, and other things. It's a buildup that forms when your baby drinks amniotic fluid.
What does meconium stool indicate?
When your baby passes meconium, it is a sign that their intestines are working the right way.
Can a baby recover from meconium?
Yes, passing meconium is normal, and there isn't any recovery required. But meconium can cause complications if your baby passes it before they're born.
What happens if your baby passes meconium in the womb?
If your baby passes meconium in the womb, they may have trouble breathing when they're born. Meconium staining — where meconium is discovered in amniotic fluid — is a way to tell if your baby passes meconium while still in the womb. Other conditions related to meconium include meconium ileum, which causes blockage, and meconium aspiration, which causes breathing concerns.
