The nappy count your midwife is really asking about
What to expect from wet and dirty nappies in the first four weeks, how the colours change, and when to call for advice.
Quick answer
In the first day or two, a newborn usually has 1 or 2 wet nappies and passes dark, sticky meconium. By days 3 to 4 expect at least 3 wet nappies and at least 2 poos that are turning greenish. By days 5 to 6, look for at least 5 heavy wet nappies and soft yellow poos, and from the end of the first week the NHS and UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative guidance expects at least 6 heavy wet nappies and at least 2 soft yellow poos a day for the first few weeks. Fewer wet nappies, dark urine, or meconium still appearing after day 4 or 5 are reasons to speak to your midwife the same day.
Nappies are one of the simplest ways to tell whether a baby is getting enough milk, which is why midwives and health visitors ask about them at nearly every early visit. Because what goes in comes out, the count climbs day by day as your milk comes in and your baby's feeds grow. Knowing the expected pattern takes a lot of guesswork out of those first weeks.
heavy wet nappies a day expected from the end of the first week (NHS and UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative)
soft yellow poos a day are expected in the first few weeks for breastfed babies (NHS)
feeds in 24 hours is usual for breastfed babies in the first weeks (NHS)
1 to 2
3 or more
5 or more
6 or more
Source: UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative breastfeeding assessment guidance, as used by NHS midwives. Bars show the lower end of each range.
Days 1 to 2: meconium and the first wees
Your baby's first poos are meconium: thick, dark green to black and sticky, a bit like tar. Expect at least one in each of the first two days, alongside 1 or 2 wet nappies a day. Small feeds of colostrum are normal at this stage, so a low nappy count is expected. Cotton wool and plain warm water make it easier to clean off.
Days 3 to 4: changing poos and more wet nappies
As your milk comes in, poos start to change from black to greenish brown and become looser. Look for at least 2 a day and at least 3 wet nappies, with the wet ones feeling heavier. Some babies pass tiny orange or pink crystals in the first days, called urates. They can be normal very early on, but mention them to your midwife, especially if you still see them after day 3, as they can be a sign that a baby needs more milk.
Days 5 to 6: yellow poos and 5 or more wet nappies
By now, breastfed babies usually have soft, runny, mustard-yellow poos, sometimes with a seedy texture. Expect at least 2 a day and at least 5 wet nappies that feel heavy. If your baby is still passing meconium or dark green poos at this point, contact your midwife.
Day 7 to 4 weeks: 6 or more heavy wet nappies
From the end of the first week, the pattern settles: at least 6 heavy wet nappies and at least 2 yellow poos a day, often more. A heavy wet nappy feels like about 45ml of water poured into a dry one, which is a handy way to check if you are unsure. The NHS notes that after the first few weeks some breastfed babies poo less often, which can be normal if they are feeding well, gaining weight and still wetting plenty of nappies.
Breastfed vs formula-fed babies
| Sign | Breastfed | Formula-fed |
|---|---|---|
| Wet nappies from day 7 | 6 or more heavy a day | 6 or more heavy a day |
| Poo colour | Mustard yellow, runny, may look seedy | Paler yellow to brown |
| Poo texture | Soft and loose | Thicker, more like paste |
| When to call | Fewer wet nappies, dark or strong-smelling urine, hard pellet poos, or any blood | |
When to get help
Contact your midwife, health visitor or GP the same day if your baby has fewer wet nappies than expected for their age, dark yellow or strong-smelling urine, is still passing meconium after day 4 or 5, has pale or chalky white poos, or seems very sleepy and hard to wake for feeds. A sunken soft spot on the top of the head alongside very few wet nappies needs urgent advice from NHS 111 or your GP, and if your baby is floppy, unresponsive or seems seriously unwell, call 999. Trust your instincts: you know your baby.
Keeping track without losing count
By day four, most parents cannot remember whether that was the fifth wet nappy or the sixth. Jotting each one down next to the feed time makes it easy to answer your midwife's questions and spot a drop early. We compare the two most common ways of doing this in baby feeding tracker apps vs a printable feeding log. For what a typical feeding rhythm looks like, see our newborn feeding schedule by week, and if you are packing for those first outings, the nappy bag checklist has you covered.
A simple sheet for feeds, sleep and nappies
The Mumma Glow Newborn Tracker is a printable log with columns for feeds, sleep, and wet and dirty nappies, so the day's count is in one place when your midwife or health visitor asks. One-time $8, no subscription, print as many pages as you need. Use code GLOW20 for 20% off. See the Newborn Tracker.
Frequently asked questions
How many wet nappies should a newborn have a day?
Usually 1 to 2 on days 1 and 2, at least 3 on days 3 and 4, at least 5 on days 5 and 6, and at least 6 heavy wet nappies a day from the end of the first week, according to UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative guidance used by NHS midwives.
How many dirty nappies should a newborn have?
At least 1 meconium poo a day in the first 2 days, then at least 2 poos a day that change to soft yellow by days 5 to 6. Breastfed babies often have more than this in the first weeks.
When should meconium stop?
Most babies have finished passing meconium by day 3 or 4 as their poos turn greenish and then yellow. If you are still seeing dark, sticky meconium after day 4 or 5, contact your midwife.
What does a heavy wet nappy feel like?
A useful comparison is a dry nappy with about 45ml (3 tablespoons) of water poured into it. Disposable nappies hide wetness well, so feel the weight rather than relying on how it looks.
Is it normal for a breastfed baby to go days without a poo?
In the first few weeks, fewer than 2 poos a day can be a sign of not getting enough milk, so speak to your midwife. After about six weeks, the NHS notes some breastfed babies poo less often, which can be normal if they are feeding and gaining weight well.
Sources: UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, breastfeeding assessment guidance (wet and dirty nappy expectations by day); NHS, Breastfeeding: is my baby getting enough milk?; NHS, Your baby's nappies and poo; NHS, Dehydration.
This article is general education, not medical advice. Mumma Glow is not affiliated with the NHS, UNICEF or any organisation named here. Every baby is different and results vary from mum to mum. If you are worried about your baby's feeding, nappies or health, contact your midwife, health visitor, GP or NHS 111, and see a women's health physiotherapist for your own recovery.