What Green Poop Means in Babies
Green Baby Poop: What Ontario Parents Need to Know
Seeing green in your baby's diaper can definitely catch you off guard, but most of the time it's completely normal. Green poop happens for lots of innocent reasons, from what you're eating (if breastfeeding) to how quickly food moves through your little one's system.
What's going on?
Baby poop comes in more colors than a rainbow, and green is actually pretty common. Your baby's digestive system is still figuring things out, and poop color can change based on what they're eating, how fast their digestion works, and even which breast they nursed from last.
For breastfed babies, green poop often happens when they're getting more of the watery "foremilk" at the beginning of a feeding rather than the richer "hindmilk" that comes later. This can happen if you switch sides too quickly or if you have an oversupply of milk.
Formula-fed babies might have green poop because of the iron in their formula, or if you've recently switched formula brands. As babies start solid foods around 6 months, green veggies like peas or green beans can definitely turn things green.
What you might notice
- Bright green, dark green, or greenish-yellow poop
- Normal consistency (not too hard or too watery)
- Your baby seems comfortable and happy
- Regular wet diapers
- Normal eating and sleeping patterns
- Maybe some gas (totally normal for babies)
What helps at home
If you're breastfeeding and seeing lots of green poop, try letting your baby finish one breast completely before switching sides. This helps them get more of that creamy hindmilk. You can also try different feeding positions to help your baby get a deeper latch.
For formula-fed babies, stick with the same formula brand if possible, and make sure you're mixing it correctly with the right water-to-powder ratio.
Keep doing what you're doing with diaper changes and keep track of wet diapers. A happy baby with regular wet diapers and normal eating is usually just fine, even with colorful poop.
When to worry
Head to the emergency room if your baby has green poop along with vomiting, fever, seems very fussy or lethargic, or isn't having wet diapers.
Text your doctor or Arlo if the green poop comes with mucus, blood, or if it's very watery for more than a day or two. Also reach out if you're worried about your baby's weight gain or if they seem uncomfortable after eating.
The takeaway
Green poop is usually just your baby's digestive system doing its thing. You're doing great, and this too shall pass (literally).
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References
- [Infant Feeding: Breastfeeding](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/breastfeeding)
- [Your baby's bowel movements](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=309&language=english)
- [Breastfeeding: Common concerns](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/breastfeedingcommonconcerns)