Poop Decoded

Do you read your baby's dirty diapers like tea leaves? You're not crazy; the tint of your little pooper's BMs can tell you a lot about his general health, says Jim Sears, M.D., coauthor of The Baby Book. Here, a guide to poop hue and when to call the doctor.

RED. Red foods and some medications can cause rosy poop, but your doctor will want to test a sample to rule out bleeding.

GREEN. Grassy stool is a common result of the iron in formula or green veggies. But if there's a sudden unexplained cange to green, talk to your doc.

BLACK. Soon after birht, babies pass meconium, a (normal) tarry substance. Later, balck stool can be a sign of old blood being passed; call the doc ASAP.

WHITE. Call your doctor immediately if your tot's BM is chalky whhite; it may indicate a liver or gallbladder issue (don't worry, this is very rare!).

YELLOW. Mustardlike poop is the "gold" standard for breastfed babies, though green is normal, too. depending on the mom's diet.

Source: BABYTALK MAGAZINE