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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Green Stool In A Breastfed Infant?

My 3 week old grandson stool has turned green, he is breast fed and has had yellow stool since birth. He had 5 green loose stools before noon today. His stool color has changed over the last 36 to 48 hours to this green color. My daughter in-law was diagnosed with C-diff after she was discharged from the hospital she has been put on an antibiotic that is suppose to be safe for the baby while breast feeding. Should we be concerned about his change in stool and the number of episodes?
Tue, 7 Mar 2017
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for trusting HCM for your health related queries.
I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns.
Green stool is quite common among in exclusively breast fed infants and nothing to worry in it,It will resolve and color gradually revert to normal in few weeks.
The most common cause for green poops is improper breast feeding techniques,in which baby getting too much fore milk from the start of the feed and not enough of the richer milk that comes later.The fore milk which is richer in lactose might alter the color of stool causing green poops.It can be easily solved with help from a breast feeding Councillor who can teach her proper breast feeding methods.
If mother is on antibiotic therapy or taking iron supplements,can cause stools turn green.It will resolve once she stop taking those drugs.
In most cases, green stool is nothing to be concerned about.If your breastfeeding baby is healthy and gaining weight no need to worry at all.
If the green stools persist after eight weeks and sign of growth failure or recurrent infections are present please consult a pediatrician for detailed evaluation.

Hope I have answered your query.
Regards.
Dr.Shinas

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What Causes Green Stool In A Breastfed Infant?

Hello, Thanks for trusting HCM for your health related queries. I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns. Green stool is quite common among in exclusively breast fed infants and nothing to worry in it,It will resolve and color gradually revert to normal in few weeks. The most common cause for green poops is improper breast feeding techniques,in which baby getting too much fore milk from the start of the feed and not enough of the richer milk that comes later.The fore milk which is richer in lactose might alter the color of stool causing green poops.It can be easily solved with help from a breast feeding Councillor who can teach her proper breast feeding methods. If mother is on antibiotic therapy or taking iron supplements,can cause stools turn green.It will resolve once she stop taking those drugs. In most cases, green stool is nothing to be concerned about.If your breastfeeding baby is healthy and gaining weight no need to worry at all. If the green stools persist after eight weeks and sign of growth failure or recurrent infections are present please consult a pediatrician for detailed evaluation. Hope I have answered your query. Regards. Dr.Shinas