Urine and stools of the newborn
Urine
A baby who is drinking enough will urinate regularly. Their pee is pale yellow and has no detectable smell. During the first week of life, they urinate more and more often. By day 5, they will be wetting at least six diapers a day.
During the first couple of days, you may notice orange spots (urate crystals) in your baby’s diaper. These crystals are normal and not dangerous. But if they are still present two days after birth, it may be a sign that your baby is not drinking enough (see Is your baby drinking enough milk?).
Is your baby urinating less often than usual? Does their urine look darker and have a distinct smell? It may be because your baby is too hot and isn’t drinking enough, which leaves them a little bit dehydrated.
What to do
If your child is urinating less often and their urine looks darker and has a distinctive smell:
- Remove a layer or two of clothing
- If your baby is breastfeeding, increase the number of feedings.
- If you’re using commercial infant formula, ensure that it is properly prepared, because a mistake during mixing (dilution error) can result in dehydration (see Handling commercial infant formula). Make sure they are drinking enough milk. You can give them a little water between feedings.
If the situation persists, call Info-Santé (8-1-1) or consult a health professional.
A baby with a fever may also have darker urine that has a smell. You may need to check their temperature (see Fever).
Stools
If your baby’s stools are red or black, call Info‑Santé (8-1-1) because this may indicate the presence of blood. If the stools are discoloured (white, grey, or beige), seek medical attention promptly because it could be a sign of a serious liver problem.
During the first 2 or 3 days, your baby will eliminate the residue remaining in their intestines from before birth. The stools will be very dark and sticky: this is meconium. Afterwards, if your baby is drinking enough, their stools will be yellowish, greenish or brownish. The stools will be liquid or very soft (see Is your baby drinking enough milk?).
During the first 4 to 6 weeks, you baby may have 3 to 10 bowel movements per day. If your baby doesn’t have at least one bowel movement per day, they might not be drinking enough.
After 4–6 weeks, some breastfed babies will have fewer bowel movements even if they are drinking enough (e.g., one bowel movement every 3 to 7 days). If your baby is having infrequent bowel movements, but the stools remain soft, it’s not a problem.
In the first year, the frequency, consistency and colour of the stools will vary depending on what your baby is fed. You will gradually learn to recognize your child’s normal stools.
If your baby’s stools suddenly become more liquid, it may be a sign of a transient issue (see Diarrhea). If your baby is healthy, continue to feed them normally. If you think your baby is sick, call Info‑Santé (8-1-1) or consult a health professional.