6-Month-Old's Stool Darkened After Starting Solids: Is It the Food?

Yes, with a 6-month-old's transition to solids, stool darkening and consistency changes are completely expected. The most common reason is that, unlike breast milk or formula, solid foods leave less water in the digestive system and contain fiber. Foods like banana, apple puree, rice cereal, and carrots naturally darken and can thicken stool. If your baby is still easily passing stool, not straining, and the stool isn't hard in lumps, this is a normal adaptation process. If stools are hard, dry, and painful, this could be constipation; in that case, you can try adding fibrous vegetables (squash, broccoli) and plenty of water (a few sips a day if over 6 months), and temporarily reduce rice and banana. Darkening is not a problem on its own — it's a sign that the digestive system is adjusting to new foods.