Newborn Pee & Poop: What to Expect During the First Week

Sep 6

4 min read

One of the most common questions we hear from new parents is:

“Is my baby peeing and pooping enough?”

In those first few days, diapers can actually give you some really helpful information about how feeding is going. Your newborn's diaper output will change quickly throughout the first week as they begin taking in more milk and transitioning from colostrum to mature breast milk or a larger volume of formula.

While every baby is a little different, here's a general guide for what you can expect during the first week.

Day 1: 1 Wet + 1 Dirty

During the first 24 hours, we generally look for:

💧 At least 1 wet diaper

💩 At least 1 stool

Your baby's first stool is called meconium. It is thick, sticky, and very dark green or almost black.

Don't be surprised if it looks nothing like what you expected a baby's poop to look like! Meconium is made up of things your baby accumulated while in the uterus, including mucus, amniotic fluid, and intestinal cells.

Colostrum is produced in small but mighty amounts during these first days, and its natural laxative effect helps your baby pass that meconium.

Pro tip- SLATHER on coconut oil or a petroleum based butt cream to help remove the meconium from your babes bum!

Day 2: 2 Wets + 2 Dirty

By the second day, we're looking for approximately:

💧 2 wet diapers

💩 2 stools

Your baby's urine output should begin increasing as they take in more fluid.

Their stools will also start transitioning away from meconium. You may notice that the poop becomes lighter in color and less sticky, moving from dark green/black toward greenish-brown.

Day 3: 3 Wets + 3 Dirty

Around day three, we're looking for approximately:

💧 3 wet diapers

💩 3 stools

This is also around the time many parents notice a bigger change in feeding and diaper output.

As milk volume increases, your baby's urine should become more plentiful, and their stools should continue transitioning in color and consistency.

For breastfed babies, stools may begin changing from greenish-brown to yellow and become looser and more “seedy.”

Day 4: 4+ Wets + 3–4+ Dirty

By day four, diaper output should continue increasing.

💧 At least 4 wet diapers

💩 Several stools

For many babies, this is when we start seeing the more familiar yellow, loose, seedy breastfed stool.

Formula-fed babies may have stools that are thicker and more tan, yellow, or brown.

Days 5–7: 5–6+ Wets + Several Dirty

By the end of the first week, we're generally looking for:

💧 At least 5–6+ wet diapers per day

💩 Regular stools

A healthy, well-fed newborn will typically have frequent wet diapers by this point.

Breastfed babies often stool several times a day during the early weeks, although there can be some variation. Formula-fed babies may stool less frequently.

A Simple Way to Remember It

During those first few days, a helpful rule of thumb is:

Day 1 → 1 wet + 1 stoolDay 2 → 2 wets + 2 stoolsDay 3 → 3 wets + 3 stoolsDay 4 → 4+ wets + several stoolsDays 5–7 → 5–6+ wets + regular stools

Think of it as “one per day of life” for the first few days, with wet diapers increasing as your baby's intake increases.

When Should I Call My Baby's Provider?

Diaper output is one piece of the feeding puzzle. We also want to consider your baby's feeding behavior, weight, jaundice, alertness, and overall well-being.

Reach out to your baby's pediatrician or feeding professional if:

Your baby has fewer wet diapers than expected for their age
Your baby is not stooling or their stools are not transitioning as expected
Your baby is very difficult to wake for feeds
Your baby is consistently struggling to latch or transfer milk
Your baby is feeding very frequently but never seems satisfied
You notice worsening jaundice
Your baby has signs of dehydration, such as very dry lips or mouth or significantly decreased urine output
You simply feel like something isn't right

When it comes to a newborn, you never have to feel silly for asking.

Remember: Diapers Are Data!

Those tiny diapers are giving you valuable information.

During the first week, we want to see your baby's output gradually increase as feeding progresses. Keeping track of wet and dirty diapers can help you and your baby's care team identify feeding concerns early.

And remember: one diaper does not tell the whole story. We're always looking at the baby as a whole — feeding, output, weight, behavior, and clinical signs — rather than relying on a single number.

If you're ever unsure about whether your newborn is getting enough to eat, reach out to your pediatrician, lactation consultant, or newborn care professional.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your baby's pediatrician or other qualified healthcare provider.

Every baby is different, and newborn feeding, urine, and stool patterns can vary. If you have concerns about your baby's feeding, diaper output, weight, hydration, jaundice, or overall well-being, please contact your baby's healthcare provider directly.

Simply Sleep by Sasha and its team do not provide medical diagnoses or replace your baby's medical care. When in doubt, reach out to your pediatrician.