What's the big deal with poop?

At Milk+Honey Lactation & Infant Feeding, we want to shout it from the rooftops:

it is not normal for a breastfed baby to poop only 1–2 times a week.

Regular bowel movements are an important sign that your baby is feeding well and getting enough nutrition. While breastmilk is an amazing substance packed with everything a baby needs, infrequent stools are

not caused by “too much breastmilk” or a lack of waste.

Why You Shouldn’t Supplement with Juice or Water:

Some parents may be tempted to offer fruit juice or extra water to encourage bowel movements. We want to be clear: this is not recommended. Breastfed babies do not need juice or extra water to improve stooling. In fact, supplementation can interfere with breastfeeding and your baby’s overall nutrition.

What We Look at as Lactation Consultants:

If you notice infrequent stools, an IBCLC will evaluate multiple factors to understand the root cause, including:

• Baby’s feeding milestones and growth

• Tension or discomfort in the body

• Milk transfer efficiency during nursing

• Gut health and digestion

• Frequency and length of feedings

• Overall weight gain

• 
  

When to Reach Out:

If your baby is starting to only stool 1–2 times per week, don’t wait. Reach out to your lactation consultant — we are happy to help assess and support both you and your baby.

For providers: please encourage your families to contact an IBCLC if stools become infrequent. Proper evaluation and guidance can prevent unnecessary supplementation and ensure babies continue to thrive.

Appointments are available in Camden and Wilmington, with virtual consults also offered. Visit milkandhoneylactation.com to schedule support today.

Let’s Talk About Poop: Why Is Baby’s Poop Mustard Yellow?

If you’ve recently changed a diaper and thought, “Wait… is this normal?”—you’re not alone. Many parents are surprised the first time they see that bright yellow, sometimes seedy, sometimes runny poop.

Why Mustard Yellow Is a Good Sign

For breastfed babies, mustard-yellow poop is exactly what we expect, especially in the first few months. It’s a sign that milk is being digested efficiently and that your baby’s digestive system is functioning well. The color comes from bile, which is naturally processed during digestion.

Those Tiny Seeds? Totally Normal

The “seeds” or small curds in breastfed baby poop are simply tiny bits of milk fat. They show that your baby is absorbing the good, fatty milk that’s essential for growth and brain development.

Runny or Loose Poop? Still Normal

Breastfed baby stool can be very loose or even watery at times. This is different from diarrhea, which typically includes sudden changes in frequency, strong odor, or signs of discomfort.

When to Pay Attention

While variations in color and consistency are normal, certain signs may indicate a need for evaluation:

• Mucus or blood in the stool

• Green, frothy, or unusually foul-smelling poop

• Consistently hard, dry, or pellet-like stools

• No bowel movement in several days, especially in babies under six weeks

Poop is more than just a diaper detail—it’s a window into your baby’s gut health and milk intake. Paying attention can help you catch feeding issues early and ensure your baby is thriving.