A Newborn Passing Greenish-Black Stool: What Does It Mean?

Understanding Meconium Stool

Meconium stool is the initial stool that a newborn passes and it has unique characteristics:
  • Color: Meconium is dark green or black in color.
  • Texture: It has a sticky, tar-like consistency.
  • Composition: Meconium comprises substances like amniotic fluid, mucus, and cells that the baby ingested while in the womb.

Transition to Other Stool Types

Meconium stool eventually transitions into different types of stool:
  • If the newborn is breast-fed, the meconium stool will be replaced by seedy yellow stools.
  • If the newborn is formula-fed, the meconium stool will be replaced by slightly formed tan stools.

Therefore, the greenish-black, tarry stool that a newborn is passing is indeed meconium stool, which signifies the beginning of the baby's digestive system functioning.

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