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Baby Poop Not Seedy Anymore (Plus 5 Concerning Baby Poop Colors)

Baby Poop Not Seedy Anymore (Plus 5 Concerning Baby Poop Colors)

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Medically reviewed by

Dr. Nicole Nabatkhorian
Dr. Nicole Nabatkhorian

MD / PGY-2 Pediatrics

Disclosure: Some of our articles contain links to recommended products or services in which we may receive a commission if you make a purchase.

As a new parent, you may spend a lot of time examining the contents of your little one’s diapers, and “seedy” is a term you quickly become familiar with. But what does it mean when something is off, like when that seedy yellow poop changes suddenly or the poop isn’t seedy anymore?

The seedy texture in newborn baby poop is undigested milk fat and is more common in breastfed babies than formula-fed. Seedy poop gradually disappears over time, normally after the first six weeks when the newborn digestive tract matures. As long as your baby is gaining weight steadily and seems content, there is no reason to worry.

There are a variety of factors that influence baby poop. From color to smell, there are plenty of normal variations and several indicators for concern, so be sure to know what to look for and when to contact your pediatrician. Is your baby poop not seedy anymore? Read on to find out more about baby poop variations and when to expect baby poop to change.

Baby poop not seedy anymore

Your baby’s poop will naturally change in texture and color as they get older and their digestive tract develops. However, if your baby’s poop was seedy before and now it looks different, it’s normal for you to wonder if everything is okay. 

The absence of seedy poop is actually a good sign. It means your little one is processing every bit of nutrients, but if there are seeds, it isn’t a cause for concern. Some milk has more fat than can be digested and is filtered out as waste. 

At about six weeks, your newborn’s digestive tract starts to mature, which usually causes a shift in the consistency of poop. This is typically when you’ll notice fewer seeds or no seeds at all. 

What are the seeds in baby poop?

As a parent, you will learn quickly that your baby can produce a wide variety of poop. It can be stringy, chunky, and even foamy

Tiny seeds in poop, normally the size of rice or sunflower seeds, in yellow or brown poop is simply undigested milk fat found in breastfed babies. Breastmilk notoriously causes very little waste, as it is specially designed by nature to nourish your little one. In breastfed babies, the seeds are usually found in a yellow-orange runny poop that has a sweet smell.

Formula-fed babies may also have seeds in their poop too, as undigested milk fat can happen for any little one. However, formula-fed baby poop typically has a thicker consistency and is more odorous. It will also be a darker yellow-tan, tan-green, or brown color, which can vary from day to day.

Mom giving baby a diaper change

Does baby poop have to be seedy?

Whether your baby is formula fed or breast milk, you may wonder if their poop has to be seedy. The answer is no, it doesn’t have to be seedy to be normal. It is just a natural variation in the wide world of baby poop.

The seeds aren’t anything to worry about, but they can be startling to see for the first time if you aren’t expecting them. Both breastfed and formula-fed babies can have seedy poops or non-seedy poops. It isn’t a cause for concern either way.

Don’t forget that all babies are different; just because one baby has seedy poop doesn’t mean all of your babies will!

Shades of baby poop

Normal coloring of poop can shift as well, from yellow to orange to brown. It depends on what you’re eating or what nutritional supplements you may be giving to your baby.

If you add iron supplements to your baby’s routine, the poop may change to a greenish hue naturally, so that usually isn’t a cause for concern. Even flecks of red are often seen in breastfed babies, as the mother’s nipples may have cracked and bled as the baby nurses, however, red in baby’s poop could mean something is wrong. Let’s look at what colors are a cause for concern. 

Parent preparing diaper for baby's diaper change

Poop colors for concern

While seedy poop is not a cause for concern, there are several changes in your baby’s poop that you should look out for.

If you notice one of these in your baby, you should contact your pediatrician:

  • Green poop can indicate a stomach bug or a cow’s milk allergy
  • Frothy green poop can indicate too much foremilk from a breastfed baby
  • White poop can indicate a problem with your baby’s liver and should be addressed immediately
  • Bloody or bright red poop could indicate a serious issue in the digestive tract and should be addressed immediately
  • Black poop may be a sign of blood in the GI tract and should be addressed immediately

If you are concerned that the color or consistency of your baby’s poop just isn’t right, trust your gut and take a dirty diaper with you to your pediatrician’s office. It won’t be the first time they’ve examined poop. They can also give you expert advice and address your concerns, especially if the odd poop coincides with colic or other symptoms of your baby’s distress.

Formula-fed baby poop not seedy anymore

Normal formula-fed baby poop is usually a thicker consistency, sort of like peanut butter, and has a yellow-tan to green-tan color. You don’t have to be concerned if your formula-fed baby’s poop isn’t seedy because this is means baby is digesting all of that fatty goodness in the formula.

Likewise, don’t be concerned if it is seedy, as some milk just has more fat than others and the body filters it out as waste.

Formula-fed baby poop may never be seedy since the milk fat from cows in formula is different than that in human breastmilk. There is no way to make an exact copy of human breastmilk, so formula-fed babies must rely on cow’s milk or other milk variations, such as soy or goat milk. In addition, extra amino acids are added to cow’s milk in order to try to match human breastmilk, but the newborn’s digestive tract breaks this down and converts it into undigested fat, often producing seedy poop.

If your baby seems to be unhappy after feedings or isn’t gaining weight, please contact your pediatrician for advice. Or if your baby seems unhappy around the same time the seedy poop vanishes, talk to your pediatrician.

Only your trusted healthcare provider can check your baby to ensure they’re healthy and digesting the formula normally.

Dad changing baby's diaper

Breastfed baby poop not seedy anymore

Breastmilk is nature’s way of keeping your baby nourished and healthy, and the milk adapts over time to the baby’s needs. Scientists have found over 1,000 different proteins in human breastmilk on top of the many other nutrients and components that make it perfect for newborn babies.

It’s okay if your breastfed baby doesn’t have seedy poop, since this usually means your baby is absorbing all of the fat in your breastmilk. For the first six weeks, your baby’s digestive tract is developing. Post-six weeks, the poop consistency will shift as the digestive tract is more readily able to absorb and process those nutrients, so don’t be alarmed if the seedy poop disappears at that point.

If you have any concerns, your baby is unhappy after feedings, or isn’t gaining weight, please contact your pediatrician.

In addition, if these behavior changes occur at the same time that the seedy poop vanishes, contact your pediatrician.

FAQs

When does baby poop stop being liquid?

You’ll notice for the first few months of your baby’s life, their poop is more like liquid. This is especially true if they’re breastfed, since formula fed baby poop tends to be thicker. You will notice a change in the texture, consistency, and smell of your baby’s poop once they start solids around six months. For breastfed babies, this is typically when their poop will become more solid.

Why is breastfed baby poop watery?

Breastfed baby poop is usually more runny than formula fed baby poop. This is because your baby absorbs most of the nutrients from the breast milk, leaving little waste. However, this can make it hard to distinguish between normal breastfed baby poop and diarrhea. 

It’s important to look for consistency when checking your baby’s diaper. If your baby’s poop changes suddenly and is runnier than normal, or they’re pooping more frequently than normal, it may be diarrhea. Be sure to contact your child’s pediatrician if you have any concerns.

Joshua Bartlett
Joshua Bartlett

My name is Joshua Bartlett I run this blog with my wife Jarah. We have more than 11 years of parenting experience including three girls and one boy. I started this blog in late 2018 when I realized that I was dealing with baby-related issues on a constant basis…please read more about me here!