Is It Normal for a Baby to Have Green Stools?

Update Date: 2024-06-07 Source: Network

For novice mothers, judging the health of their babies by observing the color of their stool is a useful skill. When there is green stool in a baby's bowel movements, it can be caused by two main scenarios.

Firstly, it could be due to the introduction of vegetable purees or iron-fortified milk powder in the baby's diet. Secondly, green stool can also occur when the baby is cold or experiencing indigestion.

I. Is It Normal for a Baby to Have Green Stool?

1. It is not normal for a baby to produce dark green stool, which is often associated with symptoms such as spilling milk and green stool when the baby is cold or experiencing indigestion. In cases of bacterial infection, active treatment is necessary.

2. When a baby is not fed enough or is excessively hungry, it can cause accelerated bowel movements. This can lead to bilirubin in the intestines not having time to be converted and being expelled through the stool, resulting in a dark green appearance.

3. When digesting fat, less bile is consumed, and any excess bile is expelled through the stool, leading to green stool.

4. Some parents may give their babies iron-fortified milk powder. If the baby does not fully absorb the iron, it can cause green stool with large white particles and a foul odor.

5. When introducing vegetable purees to a baby's diet, small amounts of green vegetable matter may often be present in the stool, which can also contribute to a dark green appearance.

II. What to Do When a Baby Has Green Stool

1. If the baby's physical and mental condition are both normal, but the stool is green, it is likely due to physiological factors. For example, bile in the upper small intestine contains bilirubin and biliverdin, which can give the stool a yellowish-green color. Alternatively, it could be due to the introduction of vegetable-based foods in the diet. In such cases, no special treatment is required.

2. If the baby's green stool is due to hunger, simply increasing the amount of milk and ensuring the baby is well-fed should resolve the issue.

3. If iron absorption is poor, leading to green stool, breastfeeding mothers should focus on their vitamin intake, as vitamins can promote iron absorption. Eating plenty of vegetables and moderate amounts of fruit can help. Mothers should also aim to keep their fat intake low and ensure adequate water intake of 1300ml per day. After breastfeeding, it is advisable to give the baby a small amount of water.

4. If the baby also has symptoms such as a runny nose or other signs of a cold, the green stool may be due to exposure to cold. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a doctor.