Poop can tell you a lot about a kid’s digestion and overall gut health. While poop habits vary, healthy stools should be easy to pass, well-formed, and a consistent brown color.

What Does Healthy Poop Look Like?

A healthy poop is medium to dark brown, shaped like a soft log, and passed without pain or straining. Kids should poop at least once a day or every other day, with stools that are neither too hard nor too loose.

Signs of Healthy Poop

• Passed easily without discomfort

• Soft but holds its shape

• Moderate smell, not overly foul

• No mucus or undigested food particles

Signs of Unhealthy Poop

Some poop changes are occasional and harmless, while others indicate digestion problems. Hard, dry stools suggest constipation, while loose, watery stools could signal a gut imbalance or food sensitivity.

When to Be Concerned

• Pooping less than three times a week

• Straining, pain, or bloating after eating

• Unusual colors like pale gray, black, or red

How to Support Healthy Poop

Encourage hydration by offering water throughout the day to prevent dry stools. Include fiber-rich foods like bananas, oats, and avocados to improve digestion. Add prebiotics and probiotics to support gut bacteria balance and ease digestion.

Summary

Healthy poop should be well-formed, brown, and easy to pass. If your kid experiences hard stools, diarrhea, or frequent tummy discomfort, adjusting fiber intake, hydration, and gut-friendly foods can help improve digestion.