It is normal for the baby’s first poop to be dark green or black due to substances that have accumulated in the baby’s intestine during pregnancy. However, this color may also indicate the presence of an infection, a food intolerance or may be a consequence of the change of milk, or even by the use of medicines.
When green is accompanied by other symptoms such as strong crying or fever, it is recommended to take it to the pediatrician to evaluate what is going on and indicate the necessary treatment.
- Meconium is the first of the baby and is characterized by a dark green or black color.
- Which is illuminated with the passage of days.
- It is normal that the dark color remains until one week after delivery.
- At which point it begins to lighten and turn a little yellow.
- And also greenish lumps may appear.
- Learn more about meconium.
What to do: Continue feeding your baby normally, as this color change is natural and healthy.
It is normal for babies who exclusively take breast milk to have light green bowel movements. However, if the stools darken and have a frothy texture, this may be a sign that it only sucks the top of the milk that comes out of the chest, which is rich in lactose and low in fat, which does not promote its growth. .
What to do: Make sure your baby completely empties one breast before passing it on to the other, as the fat part of the milk reaches the end of the intake. If the baby is tired or stops breastfeeding, when he or she is hungry again, he or she should be given the same breast-
Children who take formulas usually have dark yellow stools, but the color often becomes green when changing formulas.
What to do: If everything goes well, after about 3 days, the color returns to normal, but it is also important to observe if other signs such as diarrhea and frequent cramps appear, as they may be a sign of intolerance to the new formula. . In these cases, you should go back to the above formula and consult your pediatrician for new information.
Bowel infection accelerates intestinal transit by causing diarrhea. As a result, bile, a greenish substance responsible for the digestion of fats, is quickly removed from the intestine.
What to do: If your baby has 3 more liquid bowel movements than normal or if he or she also has symptoms of fever or vomiting, you should consult your pediatrician.
The color of stool may also be due to food sensitivity from the mother’s diet or to the high consumption of green foods by babies who already eat solid foods, such as spinach, broccoli and lettuce.
What to do: Women who breastfeed should have a balanced diet and be alert to new foods that can cause changes in babies’ faeces, including cow’s milk, which can cause allergies in children. For babies who eat solid foods, remove green vegetables and watch symptoms improve.
Using medications such as antibiotics can change the color of stool by decreasing intestinal flora, as beneficial bacteria in the gut also contribute to the natural color of stool. In addition, the use of iron supplements can also cause dark green tones.
What to do: Observe color enhancement 3 days after treatment is complete and consult your pediatrician if changes persist or if symptoms of pain and diarrhea appear. However, if your baby’s fecal matter is reddish or dark brown, there may be intestinal bleeding or liver problems. Learn about the other causes of green stool.