💩 Baby Poop Colour Checker
Select the colour and consistency to understand what your baby's nappy is telling you
How to use this tool
Select the colour that best matches your baby's stool, choose the consistency and age, then tap Analyse Nappy for a detailed explanation and action guide.
- 1Select the closest colour from the grid
Tap the colour circle that best matches what you see in the nappy. If the colour is between two options, choose the closest one. The colour swatches represent the full spectrum of normal and abnormal baby poop colours.
- 2Select the consistency
Consistency gives important additional information. Watery stools indicate diarrhoea and possible dehydration risk. Hard stools may indicate constipation. Seedy/grainy is perfectly normal for breastfed babies.
- 3Select your baby's age
Age context is critical. Black meconium on day 1 is normal. Black stool on day 10 requires urgent medical attention. A breastfed newborn having yellow seedy stool every feed is perfect. The same frequency in a 2-year-old would be abnormal.
- 4Read the full analysis
The tool gives you a complete explanation of what the colour likely means, what might be causing it, and clear guidance on whether to monitor at home, call your doctor, or seek urgent care.
Day 1-3: Black sticky meconium (normal). Day 3-5: Transition to green-yellow (normal). Week 1-6 breastfed: Mustard yellow seedy (perfect). Formula fed from birth: Tan-brown formed (normal). After solids at 6 months: Brown, smellier, more formed (normal). These changes all happen naturally.
White, clay-grey or pale stool at any age (possible liver condition). Black tarry stool after day 3. Blood mixed through the stool (not just surface streak). Stool accompanied by severe vomiting, fever, and lethargy together. Baby has 8+ watery stools in 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should my newborn poop?
Is it normal for poop to smell bad?
My baby strains and cries when pooping. Is that constipation?
Can my diet affect my breastfed baby's stool?
How baby poop colour assessment care actually works in Canada
Canadian pediatric care runs through provincial public health. Your health card covers everything: ER visits, family doctor appointments, walk in clinics. OHIP in Ontario. RAMQ in Quebec. MSP in British Columbia. Each province slightly different but the principle is the same. Pediatric specialty hospitals serve as referral centres. SickKids in Toronto. BC Childrens in Vancouver. CHEO in Ottawa. Sainte Justine in Montreal. The 811 health line is your first call for after hours triage. Available in most provinces. Many Canadians do not have a family doctor right now (the shortage is real). Walk in clinics and Telus Health Virtual Care fill the gap. Wait times are the main frustration with the system.
In Canada, call 811 for free 24/7 health advice (available in most provinces). For emergencies, call 911. Pediatric specialty hospitals (SickKids in Toronto, BC Children, CHEO in Ottawa, Sainte-Justine in Montreal) have specific after hours services. Your provincial health card covers all of this. Telus Health TM Virtual Care also provides pediatric consultations.
What Canadian moms actually deal with
Canadian parents are generally pragmatic and reasonably trusting of the medical system. Wait times frustrate everyone. The family doctor shortage frustrates everyone more. Cultural norm is to call 811 first, then decide between walk in clinic, family doctor, or ER based on what they tell you. Winter respiratory illness season is brutal in Canada. November through March, intense circulation of RSV, flu, and COVID. Babies under 6 months are at highest risk for complications. The RSV prophylaxis program (nirsevimab, brand Beyfortus) is now standard. Free through provincial programs in most provinces. Ask your family doctor or call 811 to confirm eligibility for your baby.