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If any of the following are present:
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
Day 1-2
1 or more today – dark green brown or black in colour and quite sticky.
Day 3-4
2 or more today-less black in colour and more green with possible brown or yellow too. Softer and less sticky.
Day 5-6
At least 2 per day – yellow/ mustard colour and very soft and may look like it has ‘seeds’ in it.
Day 7-14
Day 15 Onwards
Some babies poo at every feed and some may go twice a day. If your baby is exclusively breastfed, under four to six weeks of age and having less than two poos a day (minimum of the size of a £2 coin), then contact your midwife or health visitor.
Babies that are exclusively breastfed, after approximately six weeks of age, can go for several days without passing a stool. If your baby is feeding well and gaining weight then there is no cause for concern. Formula milk fed babies: Some babies poo more often but usually once a day as a minimum. If your baby is feeding well and gaining weight then there is no cause for concern.
It is unlikely that an exclusively breastfed baby will be constipated. However, if your baby is struggling to have a poo and is constipated, please phone your Health Visitor for advice.
Continue care at home. If you are still concerned contact your Community Midwife or call NHS 111 – dial 111
The first baby poo is thick and black/green and very sticky. There might be several nappies that look like this or just one or two.
There will still be the black poo for a couple of day but it will start to get a bit more green and less thick.
As the milk starts to travel through your baby's tummy you will start to see the poo change to a green/brown colour and it will start to have little bits that look like seeds in it.
Once the baby is feeding more you will find the poo turns a brown colour and is quite loose. It will continue to have little bits in it that look like seeds.
The poo will turn very yellow with small 'seedy' bits in it. It can be very watery in an exclusively breast fed baby which is normal.
False menstruation or pseudo menstruation is harmless. It is a very light bleed from the vagina in some baby girls. It comes from the effects of your own hormones on her system, and it soon stops.
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
You have a choice of service:
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
