A parent may be confused as to whether their baby’s stools are normal, and one common concern is the presence of mucus in the stool (‘often misspelled as mucous in the stool’).
Your baby’s stools can look different from day to day—everything from the frequency to the color, odor, and texture may change. A typical stool is usually light tan to dark brown, with a soft, loose, and seedy consistency. It’s also normal for breastfed babies to sometimes have pale yellow or dark green stools, and these may occasionally include blood or mucus. Because blood and mucus often share the same causes, they can show up together. Mucus in the stool may also contribute to diaper rash.
It’s a good idea to keep a simple record of your baby’s stools—the frequency and color—especially if you notice streaks of blood in the poop. Also, jot down your baby’s fussiness during the day, along with the foods you’re eating (if breastfeeding) and what your baby consumes. This can help you spot patterns and decide if an elimination diet might be needed. Later, when you start introducing solids, tracking the foods your baby eats will also make it easier to figure out if a food allergy is behind any issues.
First things first—mucus in baby poop is usually normal! The intestines naturally make a bit of mucus to help stools move along more easily. This can show up in your baby’s diaper as slimy strings, streaks, or even a jelly-like texture.
If your baby is breastfed, you may notice even more mucus in their stools because breast milk moves quickly through the gut compared to formula. As your little one starts eating solids after six months, this normal digestive mucus should gradually decrease.
That said, sometimes mucus can point to something else, such as:
In the first few weeks of breastfeeding, it’s common for nipples to crack or bleed. Sometimes, this small amount of blood can show up in your baby’s stool. Seeing blood along with normal mucus can understandably cause worry, but it’s usually nothing to panic about. You might even notice streaks of blood in your baby’s spit-up. Once your nipples heal, your baby’s stools should return to normal.
If your nipples are cracked or bleeding, check your latch first. A local La Leche League can also help—they can assess your situation and give advice, and their services are free.
One of the gentlest ways to care for sore nipples is unrefined coconut oil. Raw, organic coconut oil is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and packed with antioxidants. It absorbs quickly, helps strengthen the tissue, and is safe for your baby if a little gets in their mouth. ClevelandClinic – Is coconut oil good for your skin?
When your baby starts teething, they begin to make extra saliva. A lot of this saliva gets swallowed, and sometimes it can irritate the intestines. That irritation may show up as added mucus in your baby’s stool.
Sometimes, what looks alarming isn’t too serious. For example, if your baby has an anal tear—a small cut in the skin around the anus—it’s often caused by constipation. This can make passing stool very painful, and you may notice bright red blood coating the hard stool. You can read more about constipation in breastfed babies here.
If you have an oversupply of breast milk, you might notice signs of a foremilk-hindmilk imbalance. This happens when your baby gets a lot of the watery foremilk but not enough of the creamier, fattier hindmilk. Since foremilk is high in lactose, your baby’s tummy can only handle so much before it causes problems like green, explosive, mucousy stools and extra fussiness.
Sometimes, mucus in your baby’s stool can be linked to an infection or food allergy. When this happens, the intestines become irritated and inflamed.
With an infection, you might also notice a high temperature, fussiness, or green or bloody stools. A food allergy, on the other hand, can show up as fussiness, vomiting, or bloody stools.
If it’s an infection, it’s very important that your baby breastfeeds often to stay hydrated. Your doctor may also recommend medication to help lower the fever.
If your little one tests positive for an allergy, you may be asked to follow an elimination diet. For babies on formula, your doctor might suggest switching to a different type of formula.
Babies with cystic fibrosis produce extra mucus — not only in the intestines, but also in the lungs, pancreas, and liver. This mucus often shows up in the stool, which can look greasy and have a stronger smell than usual.
To help with digestion, doctors usually prescribe enzymes, and in some cases, a feeding tube may be needed to prevent weight loss and support growth.
Intussusception is a serious condition that happens when a baby’s intestines slide into each other, blocking blood flow and making it hard for stools to pass.
Common symptoms to watch for include:
If your baby shows these signs, seek help immediately. Treatment for intussusception usually involves a barium or air enema to straighten the intestines. In some cases, surgery may be needed. Quick treatment is very important to prevent complications like a hole forming in the intestines.
Malabsorption happens when a baby’s body isn’t properly absorbing nutrients from breast milk or formula. One of the signs can be mucus in the stool, although this is quite rare.
Reach out to your doctor if your baby refuses to drink, shows signs of dehydration, is projectile vomiting, or just seems very unwell.
Finding mucus in your baby’s stool can feel worrying, but most of the time it’s nothing serious. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to check in with your pediatrician for peace of mind.
If your baby is feeding well, seems happy, and there’s only a small amount of blood or mucus in their stools, you usually don’t need to stress — it often clears up on its own within a few days.
By Joanna (Chicago)
“My baby started having blood and mucus in his stool around two months, right after his first vaccines. He was previously in the 90th percentile for weight, but it dropped to 75th. Our doctors suspected a protein intolerance, so I avoided dairy, soy, and gluten.
I also wondered if being a C-section baby might play a role. My son is C-section and vaccinated, but there’s no clear evidence linking C-sections or vaccines directly to blood and mucus in stool. Always discuss your concerns with your pediatrician.”
Answer:
It’s completely understandable to worry when you see blood and mucus in your baby’s stool. Sometimes this can be due to protein intolerance, but it could also be something minor like a small digestive upset. Just because it happened after vaccines or a C-section doesn’t mean they caused it. Keep an eye on your baby, and if it keeps happening or worsens, chat with your pediatrician—they’ll guide you through it.
By Tina
“My baby was having multiple stools with blood and mucus, sometimes up to ten times a day. I tried cutting out dairy, nuts, eggs, and beef, but nothing seemed to help.
He was otherwise happy and healthy. Our doctor reassured us that this was usually not a concern and might improve when solids were introduced. Sure enough, after starting solids, he passed stool 1–2 times per day and the blood and mucus disappeared.”
Answer:
Seeing blood and mucus can definitely be worrying, but the good news is it sometimes happens in otherwise healthy babies. Starting solids often slows things down and makes stools less mucusy. If the blood keeps showing up or happens in a pattern, it’s a good idea to check in with your pediatrician.
Anonymous
“If your baby is happy, growing, and eating well, occasional mucus in stool is usually not a concern. Many babies notice a few mucusy stools, and the sliminess often disappears after solids are introduced.”
Anonymous
“If your doctor identifies cow’s protein as the issue, breastfeeding moms can remove all dairy from their diet. For formula-fed babies, switching to a cow’s-protein-free formula can help.
Many babies are allergic to cow’s protein early in life, but most outgrow it between 6–12 months.”
By Grace’s Mommy
“My 4-month-old had yellow, liquid, mucusy stools and a persistent rash. I eliminated milk from my diet (though I still ate hard cheeses) and used sensitive skin baby products. I also gave oatmeal baths and continued prenatal vitamins.”
By “Just Another Mom”
“Introducing solids before 4–6 months can cause temporary tummy issues. True food allergies are rare, but possible culprits include dairy, nuts, fish, eggs, wheat, soy, and citrus fruits.
Before eliminating foods from your diet, consult your pediatrician or an allergist. Recent research suggests that introducing potential allergens in small amounts from around 4–6 months may help prevent allergies later.”
Anonymous
“My baby had a rash that sometimes bled. A nurse recommended a yeast infection cream and stopping other creams that might worsen yeast growth. After using the antifungal cream as directed, the rash improved.”
Anonymous
“In my baby, persistent diaper rash was actually a bladder infection. After testing and prescribed medication, the rash cleared within 24 hours.”
Anonymous
“My doctor and midwife said it could take up to 2 weeks for milk proteins to clear from both my system and my baby’s. After stopping dairy, my baby’s fussiness and reflux improved. When I reintroduced foods gradually, I noticed blood after certain dairy products, so I paused again.
Milk protein intolerance can take time to resolve, and careful tracking of your baby’s reaction is key.”
By Jyotsna (India)
“My 5-month-old, who is breastfed, had irregular bowel movements (every 3–4 days) and stools that were black, green, and yellow. Passing stool was difficult and sometimes suddenly watery.”
Answer (Lyssa):
For breastfed babies, it’s normal for stools to vary in color and frequency. A bowel movement every few days is okay. Gentle tummy rubs, “bicycle” leg movements, or sitting your baby upright can help. If you’re worried about the color or consistency, don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician.
Anonymous
“My daughter developed blood and mucus in her stool while I was breastfeeding. After trying several elimination diets, I followed a total elimination diet (rice, turkey, pears, squash), which resolved the issue within weeks.
A lactation consultant initially suspected Milk Soy Protein Intolerance, which was later confirmed. Slowly reintroducing foods after a couple of months worked well. She tolerated cow’s milk at 12 months and now eats normally.”
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