Project Red

Hey, baby.

You might not be able to tell us how you’re feeling just yet, but your nappy? It’s been doing some serious talking. Your pee and poop are like little clues about what’s going on inside you. It’s your incredible body’s built-in early warning system. From hydration to digestion, your nappy can be one of the first places where something important shows up.

Knowledge is power (even when it’s kinda gross).

That’s why we’re helping mom and dad learn how to read your nappy. Because when your grown-ups understand what your pee and poop are trying to tell them, they can help you feel better, faster.

It might seem like just a messy moment, but the colour in your nappy can say a lot.

Here’s what it might be trying to tell us:

Brown poo normal if you’re formula-fed.

Yellow poo normal if you’re breast-fed.

Green poo totally normal.

Black poo normal if you’re a newborn. Not so much if you aren’t.

Grey poo could be a liver ordigestive issue.

Red poo could be blood.

You might not think much of it, but your pee is actually full of info. Each one you do is like a tiny health update.

Here’s what it might be trying to tell us:

Yellow pee means you’re optimally hydrated.

Orange pee means you’re mildly dehydrated.

Brown pee means you’re super dehydrated.

Red pee could be blood.

Green pee could be a urinary tract infection.

If your pee or poop looks a little strange, it’s time for your grown-ups to get you checked out, just to make sure everything’s okay.

When you’re a newborn, your first poops are usually thick, black, and sticky. That’s called meconium, and it’s totally normal for the first couple of days. But if your poop is still black after a week, it could be a sign of bleeding in your digestive tract, so mom and dad should check in with a doctor.

Once your tummy settles into feeding, things change. If you’re breastfed, your poop will be soft, yellow and sometimes even a little runny. That’s your body saying, “It’s all good over here!” If you’re a formula-fed baby, your poop should be brown or tan, a little firmer but still healthy. Make sure your parents look out for red poop. That might be blood. It could just be from a small tear or even an allergy, but it’s still something that needs to be looked at right away.

If your poop ever turns white or grey, or your pee goes super dark, that’s your incredible little body waving a red flag. See, your liver and gallbladder are two tiny organs with big jobs. They help your body digest food and get rid of waste. But if something’s not working quite right – like if there’s a blockage, an infection, or even a condition you were born with – your body can’t clear out all the stuff it needs to. That’s when your poop might look pale or chalky, and your pee might go dark brown or even black.

That’s a sign, baby, that it’s time for your parents to take you to a doctor. The earlier they spot it, the sooner you can get the help you need and go back to feeling like your bright, bubbly self.

If your parents notice any of these signs, it’s time to head to the doctor, baby. You might need a little medicine to help clear things up, and that’s okay. The earlier we catch a UTI, the better you’ll feel.

Hey baby, if your pee is looking a little off, or you’re having lots of watery poops, your body's probably telling us you're getting a bit dehydrated. Don’t worry. Your mom and dad have a simple, powerful way to help you feel better: Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS).

ORS is a quick, easy, and super effective mix that helps put back the fluids and minerals your little body loses when you’re dealing with diarrhoea. Given in the right amount, it can even save your life, baby.

If you have more than three watery poops a day, mom or dad should start giving you ORS to avoid dehydration.

Approximate amount of ORS to give in the first 4 hours*

Under 4 months / Less than 5 kg: 200 – 400 ml

4 – 11 months / 5 – 7.9 kg: 400 – 600 ml

12 – 23 months / 8 – 10.9 kg: 600 – 800 ml

To 4 years / 11 – 15.9 kg: 800 – 1200 ml

*USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program https://www.ghsupplychain.org

Once you’ve had some of that special rehydration mix, you should be able to go right back to feeding like normal. Mom and dad should keep offering you little sips of the mix between feeds, to help your body catch up on fluids. They should also keep an eye on your pee and your poop, giving you the mix until your tummy feels better and your pee goes back to its usual colour.

You can’t tell us yet, baby, but the contents of your nappy kinda can.

Hey, baby.

Knowledge is power (even when it’s kinda gross).

Let’s talk about when poop gets serious, baby.

Sometimes pee gets serious too, baby.

Your first poops, explained (because they’re kinda a big deal).

When things look off, baby, it could be your liver talking.

Too many watery poo💩💩, baby? This can help.

When should ORS be given?

Approximate amount of ORS to give in the first 4 hours*

Diarrhoea usually stops in three to four days. If it doesn’t, seek urgent medical care.

All About Diarrhoeal Dehydration by Lynne Bluff

Delicate Newborn Care

First Aid Courses

You can’t tell us yet, baby, but the contents of your nappy kinda can.

Hey, baby.

Knowledge is power (even when it’s kinda gross).

Let’s talk about when poop gets serious, baby.

Sometimes pee gets serious too, baby.

Your first poops, explained (because they’re kinda a big deal).

Green poop, baby? Let’s check in on your tummy.

When things look off, baby, it could be your liver talking.

UTIs can be sneaky, baby.But we’re onto them.

Too many watery poo💩💩, baby? This can help.

When should ORS be given?

Approximate amount of ORS to give in the first 4 hours*

Diarrhoea usually stops in three to four days. If it doesn’t, seek urgent medical care.

Diarrhoeal dehydration is responsible for approximately 20% of deaths in children under five.

All About Diarrhoeal Dehydration by Lynne Bluff

Delicate Newborn Care

First Aid Courses

Knowledge is power (even when it’s kinda gross).