What causes yellow baby poop?
For a newborn, yellowish stool is considered to be normal and should not cause any concerns by itself.
Poop from breastfed babies is usually mustard-like. It’s yellow, light brown, or green in color; has a loose, somewhat watery consistency; and can be lumpy, pasty, creamy, curdy, or mushy. Unlike what you might expect, the smell is slightly sweet.
Babies who feed on formula usually have poop better-formed than poop from breastfed babies. The color ranges from pale yellow baby poop to brownish green, light brown, or yellowish brown. Its smell is similar to regular poop, though not as strong as the poop from a baby who has started eating solid foods.
Yellow watery diarrhea in babies
Diarrhea is among the most common diseases that afflict babies from time to time. It's usually the result of a short-term illness such as an infection or food poisoning. In some cases, though, an underlying medical condition may cause diarrhea.
Babies suffering from diarrhea lose a lot of body water, so it's important that you give them a lot of fluids to prevent the side effects of dehydration. In case a chronic condition is behind the baby’s diarrhea, your pediatrician can provide treatment. In any case, diarrhea in babies should be observed by a doctor.
Is yellow baby poop dangerous?
Sudden diarrhea that lasts about a couple of weeks is called acute diarrhea. If it lasts more than four weeks, it's considered chronic diarrhea. Depending on the reasons, diarrhea may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, fatigue, vomiting, and fever.
If you notice prolonged and unusual color changes in your baby’s stool — especially tarry, black, or red stool — call the doctor immediately. Such a symptom is may be a sign of bleeding in the digestive system, and too much bleeding can result in potentially life-threatening health problems. However, it will be a good idea to contact your doctor and have a consultation about possible reasons for diarrhea.