Natural Baby Life logo (480 x 130)
Baby Blueberry Poop (What to Expect when baby eats them)

Baby Blueberry Poop (What To Expect When Baby Eats Them)

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

Introducing a baby so solids also introduce parents to a wide world of crazy diapers, and blueberry poop is one of the weirdest of all. Antioxidant-rich blueberries are a healthy addition to your baby’s diet but is it normal for them to turn your baby’s poop colors and leave chunks of blueberries in their diaper?

It is completely normal for blueberries to turn your baby’s poop dark blue or even black if they’ve had more than a handful of blueberries. It’s also common to find chunks of whole berries in their diaper as they are likely to pass through your baby’s intestines pretty quickly limiting the amount of time they are exposed to digestive enzymes. 

Read on to find out what other changes you can expect to see in your baby’s poop after eating blueberries as well as what actions, if any, you need to take after noticing these changes to your baby’s bowel movement patterns.

Parenting feeding infant baby food

Can blueberries affect baby’s poop?

Blueberries are known to change the color of bowel movements to a dark blue or even black hue, especially when eating more than a handful. You might see undigested blueberries in stools or blueberry skins visible in their diaper.  This is because food rarely sits in a baby’s colon for any significant length of time.

Since food passes through their intestines so quickly there is little time for digestive enzymes to do their job. There is no reason to be alarmed if you notice any of these things. Simply avoiding blueberries for 48 hours should return your baby’s bowel movements to their normal color and texture.

Another reason blueberries can affect your baby’s poop is that they contain 3 grams of fiber per ½ cup which is 12% of a 1-3-year-old’s recommended daily allowance of dietary fiber.

If your child is complaining of any other digestive issues such as abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, or diarrhea your child may be eating too many blueberries. Reducing the number of blueberries eaten per day should ease your child’s discomfort.

Are blueberries safe for babies to eat?

According to the CDC, whole berries, such as blueberries, should be avoided until your baby is around 12 months old when they are a little more practiced at eating and chewing.

If you are giving blueberries to your baby at an earlier age, make sure the blueberries are cooked to soften them or give them to your baby in puree form.

When eaten in moderation, blueberries are a healthy, nutrient-dense option to feed your child.

Smiley face toast made with blueberries, strawberries, and oranges

Can babies digest blueberries?

Eating blueberries can cause a bit of an upheaval in the appearance of your little one’s bowel movements.

You may notice a blueish tinge to your baby’s poop or even chunks of whole blueberries in their diaper. This can happen in foods that are high in indigestible fiber as they can be hard to break down.

It can also occur when food isn’t properly chewed up prior to swallowing. 

Can babies be allergic to blueberries?

Any time you introduce a new food to your baby there is the potential for an allergic reaction.

Make sure to only introduce one food at a time and give it a few days before introducing another one. This gives you time to observe your baby to make sure they aren’t exhibiting any signs of an allergic reaction.

Here are some signs of an allergic reaction:

Skin symptoms:

  • Hives
  • Itchy skin rashes
  • Swelling
  • Breathing problems
  • Sneezing
  • Wheezing
  • Tightness in the throat

Stomach symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Circulation symptoms
  • Pale skin
  • Light-headedness
  • Loss of consciousness

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, seek prompt medical attention.

How does eating blueberries affect a baby’s poop

It seems crazy that something as innocuous as blueberries could wreak such havoc on a baby’s diaper, but they sure can give you a surprise at diaper change time.

It’s not uncommon for your baby’s poop to turn blue or black in color. You may see whole blueberries in their bowel movements or even just the skin of the blueberries. 

Do blueberries change baby’s poop

Blueberries, especially when eaten in excess, can dramatically alter your baby’s poop.

From turning blue or black in color to changing the texture, you never know what you will find when it’s time to change a diaper.

Let’s look a little more closely at how eating blueberries can affect your baby’s poop.

Blue or black baby poop

Just eating a blueberry or two isn’t likely to alter the color of your baby’s poop. However, eating more than a handful of blueberries may change the normal brown appearance of your baby’s poop to a dark blue or even black color. While this may look alarming, there is really no need to worry.

Some foods are notorious for altering the color of poop, one of those being blueberries, especially when eaten in large quantities. 

Forty-eight hours after eating blueberries, your baby’s bowel movements should return to their normal color

Blueberry skins

You may notice some blueberry skins mixed into your child’s poop in his diaper. Strange as it may seem, this is not entirely uncommon.

Your baby is still mastering the art of chewing his food and his digestive system is still maturing. Plus, food generally doesn’t sit for very long in the intestines of small children as they poop when they feel the need to go whereas adults and potty-trained children usually only go around 1-2 times per day.

The digestive enzymes of the colon don’t have a lot of time to break down food as it passes through.

Entire blueberries

It’s not uncommon for some babies to pass whole blueberries in their bowel movements. This could be due to several reasons.

Blueberries are high in indigestible fiber which could mean that your baby’s intestines weren’t able to break down the fiber in blueberries. 

A handful of blueberries on an open countertop

Another reason why it’s not uncommon to see some whole foods like blueberries in babies’ bowel movements is that food generally doesn’t stay in their colons for very long so the digestive enzymes don’t have as much time to work on breaking food down.

The last reason it may not be uncommon to find whole blueberries in your baby’s stool is that some babies don’t yet chew their food thoroughly before they swallow it especially if they were fed purees before finger foods.

Do blueberries cause diarrhea?

Just a ½ cup of blueberries contains 3 grams of fiber or 12% of a one-year-old’s recommended daily allowance.

While moderate consumption of blueberries provides a vast range of nutritional benefits, consuming an excessive amount could prove detrimental by causing stomach discomfort, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Lay off the blueberries for a day or so and your baby’s bowel movements should return to normal.

Do blueberries cause diaper rash?

Blueberries, like other fruits, have a high acidity that may be irritating to your little one’s behind.

This is especially true if large amounts of blueberries are consumed or if your child is suffering from diarrhea as a result of eating too many blueberries. The longer the poop sits against their delicate skin, the worse the rash may be. 

If you notice an increase in diaper rashes that correlates to the number of blueberries your baby is eating, try cutting back on the blueberries for a while or monitor the amount being eaten. The Honest Co.’s All-Purpose Balm is a great natural way to help soothe the rash and prevent further irritation in one.

Do I need to worry about baby’s blueberry poop?

Your baby’s blueberry poop is completely normal and no major cause for concern.

If your baby is having any other digestive issues like excessive gas or diarrhea, they may be getting too much of a good thing so just limit the number of blueberries your baby eats. Your little one’s bowel movements should return to normal 48 hours after the last blueberry was eaten.

Conclusion

Blueberries are a great source of nutrition for babies, so don’t let a few chunky or dark diapers scare you away from providing them.

If you’re worried that something more serious is happening, withhold blueberries and other darkly pigmented foods for a few days to see whether those diapers return to normal.

 

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!

Related Posts