Reasons Your Baby May Have Green Poop

Parenthood is a journey that’s no less than a rollercoaster ride, full of surprises, joys and, sometimes, even concerns. You have a whole new life that you created, that depends on you to simply be alive. This is why as a new parent, you will find yourself constantly checking up on your little one’s every move, be it a cry, a cough, a sneeze, a reflex and most important, the poop. In the early days of an infant’s life, the colour of your baby’s poop or stool is a great indicator to know if all is well. And, upon closely examining your baby’s diaper, among the various colours and consistencies, you may also notice green stool. Now that can seem surprising, almost alien-like, and importantly, worrisome.  

But much to your relief, you can rest assured, as, in most cases, green poop in infants is quite normal and not a cause for alarm. Let's take a closer look at why newborn poop is green, what could be its possible reasons and what you can do about it. 

 Reasons Your Baby May Have Green Poop

For the first few days and weeks after birth, the baby's digestive system is still learning to adapt to feeding patterns and nutrient absorption. It is normal for the newborn's poop to be green during this time. The initial stool passed by a baby, called meconium, is usually dark green or almost black. As your baby starts to digest breast milk or formula, he or she will transition from the initial dark green infant poop to mustard yellow, if breastfed and dark brown if formula-fed. 

Causes of Green Poop in Infants 

1. Meconium 

Meconium is a thick, sticky substance that fills the baby's intestines during pregnancy. It is usually dark green to black and passes out within the first few days after birth. This is a normal and expected occurrence as infants begin their feeding and digestion process.  

2. Dietary Factors 

Diet plays a significant role in the colour of your baby's stool, both in breastfeeding and formula-feeding babies. In breastfeeding babies, an imbalance of foremilk and hindmilk may cause greenish stool. Foremilk is the milk that your baby drinks at the beginning of a feeding and hindmilk is the milk that comes after. Foremilk is rich in lactose and low in fat and it passes through the digestive system quickly, sometimes causing green, frothy stools. Ensure that your infant gets enough hindmilk—allowing them to empty one breast before switching to the other as it helps maintain balance.  

3. Formula Composition 

Infants on formula diets may also change their stool colour because of iron or a specific component in the formula. This may lead to dark green infant poop. If the green poop persists, you can talk to your paediatrician and have the formula changed.  

4. Changes in Mothers' Diets 

If the lactating mothers eat a lot of green leafy vegetables or foods that contain artificial food colouring, there is a possibility that the baby might get green poop. This is nothing to worry about but merely a nutrition cycle that sometimes manifests itself as a diaper surprise.   

5. Illness or Infections 

Gastrointestinal illness may sometimes affect an infant's stools and turn it into a greenish colour. While green stool is normal in most cases, frequently passing green stool in newborns, accompanied by some other symptoms of diarrhoea, may suggest a viral or bacterial infection at times. Parental awareness and urgent paediatric care are important if such symptoms persist.  

6. Excess Bile 

Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile gives stool its green colour. In the case the food is moving through the intestines too quickly, the bile will not be fully broken down. It's quite common in infants as their digestive system is still developing.  

7. Iron Supplements 

Iron is necessary in babies for healthy red blood cells and the transport of oxygen around the body. However, it can also lead to green poop in infants. If your paediatrician has put your baby on iron supplements, it is possible that you might notice dark green infant poop.  

8. Food Intolerance 

Sometimes, green stool may be a sign of food intolerance. If the baby is intolerant to a certain component in breast milk or formula, it may cause digestive problems, including green stool. The trigger food needs to be identified and avoided to relieve symptoms. 

Prevention And Treatment For Green Poop In Infants 

Understanding when green stool is a normal process and when it requires intervention is important for the child's health and your peace of mind. Here are a few ways you can prevent and treat green poop in your infant. 

• Balanced Feedings 

For breastfeeding mothers, ensure that your infant is feeding long enough on each breast to receive both foremilk and hindmilk. This can help mitigate the fast digestion of lactose-heavy foremilk, a common cause of green stool in infants.  

• Formula Changes 

If your baby is formula-fed and tends to have dark green stool very often, changing the iron level or switching to a different formula may help. Sometimes, a different formulation would be better for your baby's digestive system.  

• Attention to Diet 

Mothers who are breastfeeding should pay attention to their diet. It is important to know that some foods may temporarily change the colour of stool without any adverse effects on the baby's health. Maintaining a food diary can help determine if specific dietary items are associated with changes in stool colour.  

• Monitoring Other Symptoms 

If green poop is accompanied by symptoms such as fever, fussiness or signs of dehydration, consult your child’s paediatrician. They can determine whether an infection or allergy is the underlying cause and suggest appropriate treatment or testing. 

When To Seek Professional Help 

Generally, green stool alone is not a reason for alarm. However, you should contact your paediatrician if you notice: 

• Persistent diarrhoea-like symptoms with green stool. 

• Symptoms of dehydration. 

• A drastic change in the colour or consistency of stools other than just the typical hues of green. 

• Symptoms like rash, prolonged fussiness and vomiting. 

Summing It Up 

In conclusion, while green stool in newborns and infants can be unexpected, understanding the underlying causes and knowing when to act can alleviate much of the concern. Being informed and prepared allows you to focus on the joys of parenthood, leaving the concerns of diaper surprises as manageable as possible. Remember, your paediatrician is your partner in navigating these early days, ready to assist whenever you have concerns about your baby's health and development.