Vanessa Lin
The colour of a newborn's poop can be a source of concern for new parents, but it's important to remember that a range of colours is normal. Newborns usually have their first bowel movement in the form of meconium, which is a sticky, tar-like, greenish-black substance. Over the next few days, the stool gradually transitions to green, then to yellow or mustard-coloured poop, which is common in breastfed babies. Formula-fed babies, on the other hand, tend to have tan or yellow-tan stools. Green poop in newborns is usually not a cause for worry and can be due to various factors such as diet, mild infections, or stomach bugs. However, persistent diarrhoea or concerns about dehydration may require medical attention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Green |
| Occurrence | Occasional |
| Cause | Diet, mild infection, slow digestion, green foods in the diet of the person producing breast milk, a cold, stomach bug, food allergy or intolerance, antibiotics, treatment for jaundice, teething, vaccinations |
| Action | No action required unless the baby is losing weight or seems unwell |
What You'll Learn
Green poop is a normal colour variation for newborns
It is perfectly normal for a newborn to have green poop. In fact, green-coloured poop is a common occurrence in newborns and babies, and it is also normal for both breastfed and formula-fed babies to have green poop occasionally.
There are many causes of green poop in newborns, and they rarely indicate a serious medical issue. Most commonly, it is due to something the baby ate, a food allergy or intolerance, or an infection, such as a stomach bug.
Meconium
The first few times you change your newborn's diaper, you will likely notice greenish-black, sticky, and tar-like stools. This is called meconium, a substance that gradually filled your baby's intestines in utero. It will pass within the first day or two of life and is a completely normal sign that your baby's bowels are functioning. As the stool transitions from meconium to regular baby stool, you will often see dark green stools for a day or two.
Diet
Green poop can be caused by green foods in the diet of a breastfeeding parent, such as leafy greens, or green food colouring. Once your baby starts eating solids, green foods like peas, spinach, and beans can also cause green poop.
Iron Supplements
Dark green baby poop might be caused by an iron supplement, which is sometimes found in formula or supplements.
Slow Digestion
Green poop can be caused by slow digestion, usually because the baby has eaten more than usual.
Foremilk-Hindmilk Imbalance
Breast milk changes throughout a nursing session, going from low-fat and high-sugar "foremilk" to high-fat and high-calorie "hindmilk". If your baby tends to have short nursing sessions, has an oversupply of breast milk, or switches breasts too quickly or frequently, they may be getting more foremilk than hindmilk, which can lead to green, frothy stools.
Treatment
Most cases of green poop do not require treatment because it is a common variation of normal baby poop colouring. If your baby is eating enough and the green stool doesn't appear at every diaper change, you probably don't need to visit the doctor.
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It can be caused by a mild infection
Green poop in newborns is usually not a cause for concern. It is often due to your baby's diet or a mild infection.
If your baby is eating enough and the green stool doesn't appear at every diaper change, you probably don't need to visit the doctor. However, if the green stool looks like diarrhea or contains mucus, something might be irritating your baby. In this case, it is important to maintain your regular feeding schedule as your baby will tolerate it. Breast milk provides antibodies that promote recovery, and your baby will need to stay hydrated.
If your baby has a mild infection, it could be due to a number of reasons. Firstly, it could be caused by a stomach bug or a viral or bacterial infection. Secondly, it could be a result of teething, as the excess saliva from teething can cause green poop. Thirdly, green poop can be caused by food intolerance or allergy, although this is not typical. Most babies with food intolerances will present with blood in their stool or red poop. Finally, newborns being treated for jaundice with phototherapy can also experience green poop.
If you are concerned about your baby's health, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional.
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It can be caused by something in the baby's diet
The colour of a baby's poop can be influenced by their diet, and green poop can be caused by something in what they're eating.
Breastfed babies
If you're breastfeeding, your newborn's diet might be the cause of their green poop. Green poop can be caused by the parent eating leafy greens or green food colouring. Once the child is eating solids, green foods like peas, spinach, and beans can also be the culprit.
Formula-fed babies
Formula-fed babies can also experience green poop due to their diet. Iron supplements, which are sometimes found in formula, can cause green poop.
Solid foods
When babies start eating solid foods, their poop may turn green due to the presence of green foods in their diet, such as pureed peas, spinach, and beans.
Medications and supplements
Medications and supplements can also be the cause of green poop in babies. Iron supplements, for example, are necessary for healthy red blood cells and oxygen transport in the body, but they can lead to green poop.
It's important to note that while green poop can be caused by something in the baby's diet, it is usually not a cause for concern. However, if you are concerned or notice other colours like red, white, or black, it's best to contact your paediatrician or doctor.
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It can be caused by slow digestion
Green baby poop is usually not a cause for concern and is often due to your baby's diet or a mild infection. It is a variation of normal baby poop colour, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Green baby poop can occur when there is a foremilk-hindmilk imbalance. Breast milk changes throughout a nursing session. The breasts first produce low-fat and high-sugar foremilk, which gradually turns into high-fat, high-calorie hindmilk as the breast empties. If your baby has short nursing sessions, tends to switch breasts too quickly or too frequently, or if you have an oversupply of breast milk, they may be getting more foremilk than hindmilk. This can lead to gassiness and green, frothy stools.
Green poop can also be caused by slow digestion, usually because the baby has eaten more than usual. When food passes through the digestive tract too quickly, the bile doesn't get digested, leading to a greenish hue.
If your baby has green, frothy poops accompanied by gas and spitting up, they may be experiencing foremilk-hindmilk imbalance, food intolerance, or allergy. You can try to remedy these issues with the help of your doctor or a lactation consultant.
Other Causes of Green Baby Poop
- Diet: Green foods in the diet of the person producing breast milk, such as leafy greens or green food colouring. Once your child starts eating solids, green foods like peas, spinach, or beans can also tint their stool.
- Illness: A cold, stomach bug, or other viruses that trigger diarrhoea can cause green poop.
- Food allergy or intolerance: Most babies will present with blood in their stool or red poop from food intolerances.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics, either in the baby or the person producing breast milk, can cause green poop.
- Treatment for jaundice: Newborns being treated for jaundice with phototherapy can have green poop.
- Teething: Teething babies swallow a lot of excess saliva, which can promote a greenish hue in their stool.
- Vaccinations: Some parents report green poop after their babies receive vaccinations.
- Iron supplements: Dark green baby poop might be caused by an iron supplement, which is sometimes found in formula or supplements.
When to See a Doctor
While green baby poop is usually not a cause for concern, certain poop colours may indicate a problem. Contact your pediatrician if your child's poop is white, red (especially bright red), or black. You should also see a doctor if your baby is acting very sick (such as with fever, lethargy, or vomiting) and also has green poop, or if they show signs of dehydration.
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It can be caused by an iron supplement
Iron supplements are necessary for healthy red blood cell development and the efficient transport of oxygen around the body. They are also known to cause green poop in babies. If your infant is taking an iron supplement, this could be the cause of their green poop.
If you are concerned about the colour of your baby's poop, you should consult a doctor. However, green poop is usually not a cause for concern. It is often caused by something the child has eaten, a food allergy or intolerance, or an infection.
Green poop can occur when a newborn's first poop, meconium, transitions to regular baby stool. Meconium is a blackish-green colour and has a sticky texture. As the stool transitions to a regular baby stool, it will turn green for a day or two.
Green poop can also be caused by the parent's diet if they are breastfeeding. For example, if the lactating parent eats leafy greens or food with green food colouring, this can cause the baby's poop to turn green.
If you are concerned about the cause of your baby's green poop, you should consult a doctor.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is normal for a newborn to poop green. The first few times a newborn's diaper is changed, the poop will be greenish-black and sticky or tar-like. This is called meconium, a substance that gradually filled the baby's intestines in utero. Over the next few days, the stool begins to take on an army green colour, then it turns mustard yellow (if breastfeeding) or tan-brown (if formula feeding).
A newborn's poop will turn green two to four days after birth.
After the green poop stage, the yellow poop stage arrives. Breastfed babies are known for producing diapers full of yellow or mustard-coloured stools or even orangey poop. They often have a seedy consistency, too. Some formula-fed babies also have orange-ish poop, but tan or yellow-tan stools are more common.
If you see blood in your newborn's poop, call your child's pediatrician. Blood in the stools could signify bleeding in your baby's gastrointestinal tract.
