2 month old baby with green poop

Colored Stool and Diarrhea in Infants

Find out what color changes, diarrhea, and frequency may say about your baby's health.

Written by Lisa Zamosky

Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on March 31, 2022

New babies don't come with an instruction manual, but they do leave clues about the state of their health. Hiding in a baby's diaper is a wealth of information, and many new parents understandably find themselves spending a lot of time and energy trying to decode the messages left for them -- the amount, the color, the consistency -- and what it all means.

So what does the content of a baby's diaper say about their health? And when should you be worried about what's in the diaper? Here's expert advice.

How Much Poop Is Normal?

"A lot," says Kenneth Wible, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri and pediatrics medical director at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo.

"It depends somewhat on diet," Wible says. "Babies who are breastfed generally have more and thinner stools than babies who are formula fed. But five to six stools per day is pretty normal."

While it's a good idea to expect a lot of poop in the early stages of a baby's life, the frequency of bowel movements among children varies widely, notes Barry Steinmetz, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif.

"Some kids will go up to seven or eight times a day," he says. Other infants may go every other day.

Many parents become concerned when an infant's bowel movements suddenly drop in frequency. But particularly for breastfed babies, this is a common occurrence as a mother's milk becomes more mature.

"The mother's milk is so well balanced and the baby's digestive processes are so good, there's not a lot of residue," Wible says.

The key, Steinmetz says, is that the stool is soft and the child is eating well and gaining weight.

Consistency

There's often a large amount of liquid content in babies' stool because before six months, doctors recommend that babies get their nutrients exclusively from milk.

"It kind of looks as if you took a jar of mustard and mixed it with cottage cheese, especially for formula-fed babies," Wible says. "With breastfed babies, there is a lot more liquid and the milk curds in the stool are a lot finer and smaller."

Is It Constipation?

It's not simply the absence of stool but stool that is formed or looks like pellets that should tip you off that your child may be constipated.

Very firm or pebble-like stools require a call to the doctor. This can sometimes indicate that the child is dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration might include decreased tears, lack of saliva, and a sunken look in the eyes and the infant's soft spot. The soft spot, also called anterior fontanelle, is a space between the bones on the top of an infant’s skull. The soft spot can be present until about 2 years of age.

Most parents are concerned that the pained, red-faced look their baby gets while pooping means straining and constipation. That's usually not the case.

"A baby doesn't know how to ... contract the abdominal musculature and push," Steinmetz explains. "Plus, they don't have gravity helping them like when you sit on a commode."

By the age of 1, most kids have it worked out and lose the tortured look.

Signs of Diarrhea

When it comes to diarrhea, parents sometimes have a hard time knowing what they're dealing with because infants' stools are naturally loose. But looking for subtle changes in a baby's poop is often a waste of time, Steinmetz says.

"Blow-out diarrhea that goes up the back is not that subtle," he says. And it's just the kind of outburst that is common when diarrhea strikes very young children.

Call your doctor right away if there is diarrhea, especially with newborns, Wible advises. It can signal something more serious, such as a virus or other systemic illness dangerous for very young children.

What Does Color Mean?

Baby poop changes color and it's a constant concern for parents. But for the most part, it needn't be.

"Color has not much to do with anything except the transit time of food [in the baby's system] and the bile coming through the GI tract," Steinmetz says.

The poop color timeline works like this: Yellow means milk is moving through the baby's system quickly. When the process slows down, poop becomes green -- and can unnecessarily worry parents. Even slower, poop turns brown.

"That's why infants often have yellow stools, because they have a very fast transit time," Steinmetz says.

Colors of Concern

The main colors that should concern a parent and prompt an immediate call to the pediatrician are white, red, and black.

White poop can indicate an infection or a problem with bile, which is a fluid produced by the liver that aids digestion. Black is a sign of digested blood in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and red indicates fresh blood that could be coming from the colon or rectum.

Sometimes, however, breastfeeding newborns whose mothers' breast skin is cracking swallow their mother's blood while feeding, which comes through their stool, Wible says.

That's no cause for alarm, and your doctor may be able to perform a test to tell who the blood belongs to.

Occasionally, green, mucus-like poop can be caused by a virus commonly seen in babies. If your child has green poop and symptoms of diarrhea, fever, or irritability, call your pediatrician.

Solid Food and the Changes They Bring

When your child begins eating solid food, expect a firmer consistency and a change in the color of your child's poop, notes Wible.

"How it will change is unpredictable, but it will change," he says.

In general, it's a good idea to pay attention to the contents of your baby's diaper, as long as you keep it in perspective, Steinmetz says. Typical signs of an issue of real concern -- blood in the stool, vomiting blood, abdominal distention -- are hard to miss.

Still, if an issue is keeping you up at night, don't hesitate to call your doctor's office.

What does baby poop color mean? Chart and guide

An infant’s poop changes color and consistency during their first few days, weeks, and months of life, and a wide range of colors is normal. Below, learn what changes to expect as a baby grows and how to recognize unhealthy baby poop.

In infants, the main reasons for changes in stool color are age, diet, and health. The poop of newborns is almost black, while older infants tend to have yellow or brown poop.

Breast milk and formula can also influence the color of a baby’s stools.

Red or white poop can indicate a health problem. Otherwise, a wide range of colors is normal. Anyone who suspects that a baby has diarrhea or constipation should seek medical advice.

Various factors can cause changes in the color of a baby’s stools. Common colors and their causes include:

Black

In newborns younger than 1 week, black is a healthy color for stool. After this time, however, it could indicate a health problem.

During the first 24 hours of life, a newborn will pass meconium. This is thick, black stool. It comprises cells, amniotic fluid, bile, and mucus that the baby ingested while in the womb. Meconium is sterile, so it usually does not smell.

Over the first few days of life, a newborn will continue to pass meconium. The color should gradually change from black to dark green, then yellow.

After 1 week of life, stool should no longer be black. If a black color persists, it is important to seek medical advice. This color could mean that there is some bleeding in the digestive system.

Yellow

This is a normal color of poop from a baby who drinks breast milk. Their poop tends to be dark yellow, and it may have small flecks in it.

These flecks come from breast milk and are harmless. People often describe this poop as “seedy.” The so-called seeds may resemble curds in cottage cheese, but they are yellow.

Brown or orange

This is a normal color of poop from a formula-fed baby.

When a baby drinks formula, their poop tends to be light brown or orange. It may be slightly darker and firmer than stool from a baby who drinks breast milk.

Green

Many babies occasionally have green poop. Possible causes include:

slow digestion, usually because the baby has eaten more than usual
green foods in the diet of the person producing breast milk
a cold or stomach bug
a food allergy or intolerance
antibiotics, either in the baby or in the person producing breast milk
treatment for jaundice

Some infants’ poop is naturally slightly green. If the baby is putting on weight and seems content, green poop is not necessarily a cause for concern.

Learn more about green poop in children.

Red

Red is not a healthy poop color.

Poop is usually red because there is blood in it. Parents or caregivers should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

The baby may have a health problem, or they may have swallowed a small amount of blood. This could happen if the person breastfeeding them has cracked or bleeding nipples. Another cause of red poop is bleeding from the baby’s bottom.

White

White poop is uncommon, but white is not a healthy color for stool. It could indicate a liver problem.

Jaundice, for example, is highly common in newborns, affecting about 60% of full-term babies in their first few days of life. It usually goes away within the first 2 weeks.

Anyone who suspects that their baby still has jaundice after 14 days should check the color of their poop. Pale or white poop may suggest liver disease. Another sign to look for is urine that is very dark yellow or brown.

If the baby has white or pale stool, the doctor may test their bilirubin levels. Bilirubin is a compound that helps the body get rid of waste. There are two types of bilirubin, and if the levels of one type are too high, this can cause health problems.

Baby poop can also have a variety of textures and other features. Before an infant starts eating solid food, their poop is usually very soft.

Babies who drink breast milk may have quite runny or stringy poop, while formula-fed babies tend to have firmer, but not solid, poop.

Mucus in a baby’s stool is also common and rarely a sign of any health issue. However, if the baby shows other signs of unusual behavior or illness, it is important to speak with a doctor.

Dry or hard poop can mean that a baby is not drinking enough fluids or that they are ill.

After an infant starts to eat solid foods, hard poop can also be a sign of constipation. Babies commonly become constipated when they eat foods that their body cannot yet digest properly.

Very watery stool can result from diarrhea. A baby with diarrhea may also poop more often than usual or have a high temperature. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which is potentially serious for infants.

Every baby is different, and some poop more often than others. Many newborns poop after each feeding, though they tend to pass stool less frequently once they reach 6 weeks of age. Babies who drink breast milk may only poop once a week. A healthy frequency for formula-fed babies is once per day.

Learn more about constipation in babies.

As a baby grows, their poop often changes color. For example, as an infant starts to eat solid foods, what they eat may affect the color of their poop. Undigested food in stool can also cause a change in color.

Unusual colors, such as green, may not signal a health issue. Stool color may vary for a short time and then return to its regular shade.

White, red, or black are the exceptions — these colors can indicate a health problem.

Also, if a lot of mucus is present or it appears in stool on an ongoing basis, this could signal an illness.

Parents or caregivers should contact a doctor if they have any concerns regarding an infant’s health.

Newborns generally poop frequently, sometimes after every feed. Infants older than 3 weeks may poop anywhere between 8–12 times a day to less than once a day.

Healthy poop can be shades of yellow, orange, brown, or green, and the texture may be runny to fairly firm. It should not be hard or watery.

Babies often strain a little as they pass stool and may make noises or scrunch up their faces. This is normal. However, too much straining or discomfort when pooping could be a sign of constipation.

Poop color can be one way to keep track of a baby’s health.

Stool that is quite soft and earthy in color is generally healthy. However, red or white poop often signals a health issue that requires attention. Black stool from babies older than 1 week may also be a cause for concern.

Overall, as long as an infant is gaining weight and feeding as often as they need, a broad range of poop colors is healthy. Parents or caregivers should discuss any concerns with a doctor.

Baby's green stool - Articles about baby food from pediatricians and MAMAKO experts The child's stool suddenly began to look completely different, instead of yellowish, it turned out to be green. What does it mean? Why does a baby have green stools? The reason is important. Greens in the diaper can be a completely normal and harmless manifestation of changes in the intestinal microflora or a symptom of the disease.

Dark green, yellow-green, green stools with mucus, green diarrhea - when to worry and call the doctor, and when are green stools still in the "green zone"?

- Anastasia Anatolyevna, what kind of stool should a healthy baby have and what deviations are acceptable?

— Stool color differs between breastfed and formula-fed babies. If greenery appears in the stool, and its consistency and frequency remain normal, this is acceptable.

— What diseases can be a symptom of green stool in a newborn?

- Various diseases can provoke the appearance of green stools, primarily disorders in the baby's gastrointestinal tract and infections:

liver or gallbladder dysfunction;
diseases of the pancreas;
dysbacteriosis;
bacterial infections;
viral intestinal diseases;
helminthic infestation;
food allergy.

- Let's see what green stool means in common problematic situations.

Situation 1. Green loose stools in an infant

- If diarrhea occurs suddenly, accompanied by vomiting, fever, intestinal colic - this is a disease. It can be caused by enteroviruses, pathogenic fungi, intestinal bacteria. For example, staphylococci and streptococci, entering the intestines of a child, begin intensive reproduction and change the acidic environment to an alkaline one. Therefore, the color of the stool changes.

Situation 2. Green feces with dysbacteriosis in infants

— Every baby faces dysbacteriosis: it occurs during the formation of the necessary microflora in the intestines. The unnaturally green color of the stool in dysbacteriosis is due to the content of dead leukocytes in the feces. They accumulate in the intestinal area and increase the inflammatory process. The stool turns green due to fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines. Other manifestations of dysbacteriosis include bloating, gas formation, and a skin rash. The child's stool will return to normal when the microflora is fully populated.

If the child is gaining weight well, nothing bothers him, then green stool is considered normal. Other symptoms will indicate indigestibility of food.

Green stool in a baby - causes

— What symptoms should a child see a doctor against the background of green stools?

- Decreased appetite in a baby, fever, colic, abdominal pain, bloody impurities and mucus in the feces, vomiting, rash on the body - such complaints should be an obligatory reason for a visit to a children's doctor. Upon examination, he will recommend a list of studies to make the correct diagnosis.

If a green stool appeared during a change in nutrition, but the child has an adequate weight gain, good health, he is active, his appetite is normal, then there is no reason for concern. This may be a one-time manifestation that will disappear without any complaints.

Green stool in a child - what tests to pass:

blood and urine test – the presence of inflammation in the body is determined;
coprogram - the presence of an inflammatory process in the intestine is assessed,
analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis - to assess the intestinal microflora;
biochemical blood test - checking the functioning of the digestive organs;
scraping for enterobiosis - confirms or excludes a parasitic disease;
Ultrasound examination of the digestive system - to assess the functioning of the pancreas and liver.

— How to treat green stools at home?

— The child must be treated by a specialist. Therapy depends on the cause of green impurities in the feces. In case of malnutrition, a change in the diet of mother and child, a decrease in the volume of complementary foods, and the selection of the right complementary foods are prescribed.

If an infection is suspected, the child must be hospitalized in a specialized department, because adequate assistance can only be provided there.

Treatment of intestinal infection and green stool:

drinking regime - to prevent dehydration;
sorbents - to remove pathogenic toxins from the body;
antibacterial drugs - are prescribed when a causative agent of a bacterial intestinal infection is detected.

Non-infectious causes of green stools in a child - what to do:

lactose intolerance - lactose is excluded from the child's diet;
allergic reaction - determine the allergen and exclude it from the diet of an artificial child or a nursing mother;
helminthic invasion - give anthelmintic drugs;
dysbacteriosis - correct the intestinal microflora with pre- and probiotics.

— What can be considered the best prevention of green stool?

- Timely and correct introduction of complementary foods, nutrition without overeating, dietary compliance by the mother, individually selected milk formula will contribute to comfortable digestion in a small child.

There are many reasons leading to green stools in babies. Green stools can appear in both breastfed and formula fed babies. Whether the change in the color of the stool is caused by infectious diseases, your pediatrician will help you figure it out, who will select the right treatment.

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Green feces - causes, what diseases it occurs in, diagnosis and treatment

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Green feces: causes of occurrence, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Definition

Greenish stool in people of any age can be both a normal variant and evidence of serious changes in the body.

Feces is a waste product of the body, formed in the large intestine, consists of 80% water and 20% solids. The dry residue includes undigested food (40%), almost completely non-viable intestinal microflora (30%), secretions of the glands of the intestinal wall (mucus) and dead cells of the intestinal mucosa (30%).

The composition and nature of feces are determined by nutrition, the state of the digestive system, intestinal microflora, and the presence of concomitant diseases.

The composition of the normal intestinal microflora includes a large number of bifido- and lactobacilli, E. coli, bacteroids. They are useful because they perform a protective function and inhibit the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Enterobacteria, enterococci, clostridia, staphylococci, streptococci, fungi of the genus Candida are present in a smaller amount in the intestine. With uncontrolled reproduction, they can cause unpleasant symptoms.

Varieties of green stool

Green stool occurs in normal and pathological conditions. With the pathological nature of the stool, the general well-being of the patient changes, the frequency of defecation, the consistency of the stool, its smell, impurities of mucus, pus, and blood may appear.

Possible causes of green stools

The most common cause of green stools without changing its other characteristics is the consumption of green plant foods - spinach, sorrel, lettuce, etc., as well as foods containing green food coloring. In this case, the color of feces normalizes on its own within one to two days after stopping the use of these products.

Another normal variant is meconium, the first feces of a newborn. It is viscous, sticky, dark green in color, consists of dead cells of the intestinal wall, mucus, amniotic fluid, bile.

The intestines of a newborn baby are gradually colonized by microorganisms. At the same time, the composition of the microflora of a breastfed baby, despite the predominance of lacto- and bifidobacteria, is more variable than that of a formula-fed baby.

Some bacteria can affect the color of stool and turn it green. With good health, appetite and the absence of other symptoms, these phenomena are considered a variant of the norm.

Persistent disturbance of the composition of the intestinal microflora (dysbacteriosis) is considered a pathological condition that affects the color of feces.

When taking tableted and encapsulated iron preparations, excess iron is excreted naturally, the feces acquire a dark, greenish, up to black tint.

Kal completely restores its characteristics after the end of the course of medication.

Possible causes of green stools include infectious and inflammatory diseases of the stomach, small and large intestines.

Diseases that cause green stool

Lactase deficiency is a congenital or acquired condition in which the activity of the lactase enzyme and the ability to digest lactose are absent or reduced. Congenital lactase deficiency begins in early childhood and persists throughout life; transient deficiency develops against the background of immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of a newborn (occurs at 3-6 weeks of life and decreases as the child grows and develops). Secondary lactase deficiency is a consequence of a previous disease, accompanied by damage to the cells of the intestinal wall.

The main symptoms of lactase deficiency are severe bloating, intestinal colic, loose frothy stools after drinking breast or whole cow's milk.

With insufficient processing of lactose in the gastrointestinal tract, the processes of fermentation and decay begin, which cannot but affect the composition of the microflora. With a pronounced imbalance of microorganisms, green stools may appear.

Violation of the ratio of normal and pathogenic intestinal microflora is called dysbacteriosis . This condition can occur against the background of a sharp change in nutrition, with insufficient consumption of plant foods and dairy products, due to inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, gastric and duodenal ulcers, infectious lesions of the small or large intestine, after taking a course of antibacterial drugs, against the background of a decrease in immunity .

Symptoms of dysbacteriosis include constipation or unstable stools, impaired processing and absorption of beneficial nutrients, bloating and pain in the abdomen.

Among intestinal infections, which are characterized by the appearance of green stools, dysentery, giardiasis, salmonellosis, and rotavirus are distinguished.

Dysentery is caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella, which are excreted in the stool by an ill person or carrier. Shigella enter the body through dirty hands, and after 2-3 days, the development of the disease begins. Bacteria multiply in the large intestine, irritating and damaging its wall.

Symptoms of dysentery are false painful urge to defecate, as well as frequent, scanty liquid stools of dark green color with impurities of blood, mucus, and pus.

The patient's general health worsens, he is worried about weakness, body temperature rises. At the same time, due to light stools, the risk of dehydration remains low, but perforation of the intestinal wall is possible.

Giardiasis is caused by protozoa - Giardia. The transmission mechanism is fecal-oral, infection is possible through direct contact with a sick person or through contaminated water and food. It takes up to four weeks from the moment of infection to the onset of symptoms. More often sick children and adults with low acidity of gastric juice.

The simplest cause symptoms of inflammation of the small intestine: nausea, bloating, pain in its upper and middle thirds, around the navel, frequent (up to 5 times a day) liquid, profuse, frothy, foul-smelling green stools.

Extraintestinal manifestations are also possible - skin rashes, pronounced allergic reactions.

Giardia

Salmonellosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Salmonella. They enter the human body through poorly thermally processed eggs, dairy products and meat. The period from infection to the onset of the disease lasts up to two days. The symptoms of salmonellosis include spasmodic pain in the upper abdomen and near the navel, nausea, vomiting (up to 3 times a day), as well as frequent (up to 15 times a day) plentiful, liquid, frothy, fetid stools of the color of marsh mud.

The disease is dangerously severe intoxication, dehydration, possible entry of salmonella into the blood and dysfunction of many organs and systems (sepsis).

Rotavirus is spread by food, water, airborne droplets, household. Perfectly preserved in the external environment, resistant to most disinfectants. For the development of the disease, it is enough for just a few viral particles to enter the mouth. It begins with symptoms of an acute respiratory viral infection - fever, redness and sore throat. Then frequent profuse vomiting and frequent (5-15 times a day) loose stools, which can be of different shades, including yellow-green, join. Against this background, dehydration quickly develops.

Which doctors to contact

If there are signs of an intestinal infection, especially in a child, it is best to call an ambulance team, which, if necessary, will take the patient to the infectious diseases hospital.

Otherwise, please contact therapist general practitioner, pediatrician gastroenterologist.

Diagnostics and examinations in case of green stool

To determine the causes of green stool, the doctor conducts a thorough interview and examination of the patient, clarifies the mode and nature of nutrition, finds out concomitant diseases and conditions.

For a more complete understanding of the picture, a number of laboratory and instrumental research methods may be required:

complete blood count with an expanded leukocyte formula;

What to do if green stool appears

You need to see a doctor, get an examination and follow the recommendations of a specialist.

To prevent the occurrence of green stools, you should eat a balanced diet, observe personal hygiene, take care of the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

Treatment for green stools

Treatment is not required only in one case - when the green color of the stool is associated with dietary errors.

Adults with lactase deficiency are advised to follow a diet low in whole and powdered milk. Breastfed children are prescribed lactase preparations, and artificially fed children are prescribed low-lactose or lactose-free mixtures.

With established dysbacteriosis, diet and medications that normalize the intestinal microflora are required. In rare cases, drugs are prescribed that inhibit the growth and development of a certain type of microbe.

In intestinal infections, the main task is to maintain water balance (if necessary, fluid is administered intravenously) and to remove intoxication.

If there is a drug that specifically affects the causative agent of a particular disease (antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.), it is recommended to be taken. At the same time, measures are taken to restore the intestinal microflora.

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