Did you know that the color of your child’s stool can tell you a lot about their health? First, it’s important to know that many factors can influence the normal color of stool—some of them are harmless, such as breastfeeding, diet, or even certain medications, while others may signal a possible medical issue.

By understanding what your child’s stool color means, you’ll be better equipped to monitor their health and make the right decisions at the right time.


Stool Color and What It Means

A child’s normal stool color typically ranges from shades of brown—light brown, dark brown, yellow, or even green. It’s also normal for stool to occasionally shift between these colors. However, certain colors—like black, red, or white—may require more attention, as they could indicate an underlying health issue. Still, keep in mind that sometimes these colors are caused by food or other harmless factors. (1)


  • Yellow or Green Stool: This is common in infants. Breastfed babies typically have mustard-yellow stools, while formula-fed babies may pass yellow-brown stools that can also have greenish tints. (1)
  • Red Stool: This could simply be due to eating beets, red-colored foods, or certain medications. However, red stool may also be a sign of blood—possibly caused by constipation, an anal fissure, or more seriously, bleeding in the colon or rectum. (2)
  • Black Stool: Black stool can sometimes be a sign of internal bleeding in the upper digestive tract—usually the stomach or small intestine—where the blood turns black by the time it passes in stool. But this doesn’t apply to newborns; it’s completely normal for a newborn's first stool (meconium) to be black. (1)
  • Just like beets and food dyes can turn stool red, some foods and medications—like licorice, blueberries, or iron supplements—can turn it black. (3)
  • White or Pale Stool: This may indicate a problem with the liver or gallbladder. It occurs when the body isn’t producing enough bile—a digestive fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder—which gives stool its natural brown color. (2)


As your child starts transitioning from breastfeeding to solid foods, the color, texture, and smell of their stool will change. The more solids they eat, the firmer and thicker their stools become—eventually resembling adult stool.


When to Call the Doctor

You should contact your child’s doctor as soon as possible in the following cases: (4)

  • Your child passes white or pale gray stool two times or more.
  • The stool remains red or black for more than one day without a clear cause (like food or medication).
  • The red or black color continues for more than two days, even after stopping the suspected food or medicine.




Consulting a doctor is always the best choice if you have any concerns about your child’s health or stool color. Book an appointment now with the Pediatrics Department at Al-Ahli Hospital — we’re available around the clock to provide the support and care you need.




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