Baby poo is a real favourite for new parents, as what comes out from behind can reveal a lot about how your baby is actually doing.

Normal infant poo is yellow-brown, quite loose, though a bit like cottage cheese. The colour can vary depending on what the child has eaten and whether it has a viral infection. Anything from green to relatively light coloured poo can be normal in these conditions. If the child has a cold, the colour may also vary and the poo may be more slimy.

Fresh blood in the stool may be due to a reaction to cow’s milk and should not raise concerns about malignant disease. The poo should not be black (this may indicate problems in the upper parts of the stomach and intestines) nor should it be completely discoloured continuously.

If your child has issues with constipation, the poo may be more hard and dry, like rabbit droppings. Sometimes you can also see fresh streaks of blood in their poo, which can be caused by small cuts in the lower part of the rectum.

If you have questions about your baby’s poo, you can always contact the children’s health centre.