A glance at your baby’s sagging diaper may confirm that it is full of poop. But wait! As you take a closer look, you notice that it is full of green poop. “Is this normal?” you may wonder while grabbing a fistful of baby wipes and preparing yourself for a battle.
The short answer to your question is ‘Yes!’ It might look a little disconcerting at first, but there are a couple of possible reasons why your infant’s poop is green in colour. The good news is that in most cases green poop in babies isn’t considered alarming, and can be resolved with a few remedial methods.
So if you are wondering “how to stop green poop in babies,” keep reading as we have got your back with a list of effective remedies and preventive measures.
What Causes Green Poop In Babies?
Green poop in babies is not always a cause for concern. But here are a few reasons your baby might have green stools.
- When the food passes through your baby’s intestines quickly, the bile in the food is not absorbed back into their body. This might occasionally happen since your baby’s digestive system is still developing and lead to dark green stools.
- If your newborn has received phototherapy for neonatal jaundice, they might have green poop as the excess bile is excreted through their stool.
- Babies who are lactose intolerant may also pass green stools after being nursed.
- Some viral infections of the stomach, such as rotavirus, may also cause diarhhoea and green stool.
- A breastfed baby may pass green stools if they are allergic to certain foods eaten by their mother. These allergies are usually accompanied by some form of skin reactions as well.
- If a mum consumes a diet rich in leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, then the baby might pass green stools. Additionally, if your baby is in solids and is given pureed peas and spinach, there is a high chance for them to pass green stools.
- An insufficient diet may also cause green poop in your baby.
Treatment For Green Stool In Babies
If your baby is eating well, has no diarrhoea, and has overall good health, then there is seldom any treatment required. Additionally, your baby’s peadiatrician may perform a thorough examination and take a detailed history of their health before suggesting any treatment. Your doctor may also recommend treatments based on the exact cause behind green poop in your little one.
- If the doctor suspects formula is the cause of green stools, they may recommend exclusive breastfeeding or may suggest changing the formula.
- If your baby has green stools due to a stomach infection, they may prescribe some medications.
- Your doctor may also suggest incorporating prebiotic-rich foods in your baby’s diet as they are beneficial in treating green poop and improving stool consistency.
- If your baby is lactose intolerant, then the doctor may suggest you switch to a low-lactose or a lactose-free formula. This can also help in weight gain in your baby and the prevention of green stool.
Prevention Of Green Poop In Babies
The prevention of green poop in your infant depends on the cause. There is no need to work on prevention if your baby is passing green poop due to the consumption of iron supplements or green leafy vegetables. But you might have to take precautionary measures for the following conditions.
- If an allergen is responsible for green poop in your baby, identify and avoid it.
- An elimination food chart might help you identify the allergen. Note down the food that you and your baby have, and correlate the item with green poop.
- Maintain good hygiene while serving solids to your baby. This can help prevent the spread of gastrointestinal infections, and prevent green stool in your little one.
We hope we answered all your questions on “how to stop green poop in babies.” One of the major reasons for your baby’s green poop is an underdeveloped digestive system, which causes more bile in their stool, giving it a greenish appearance. In some cases, it could also be due to the mother’s diet, as consuming too many green leafy vegetables can contribute to the change in colour of poop. Regardless, ensure to consult your child’s paediatrician if you suspect a food allergy or observe signs of an upset stomach.
Also read:
How to burp a baby: Learn the basics of burping your baby, the right time, and the best positions.
Newborn feeding chart: How much does your infant need to eat in a day? Find out all the details in this post.
How to stop vomiting in babies: Learn effective ways to stop vomiting in babies and soothe stomach concerns in them.
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