Your baby's stool might be green as it transitions from the dark, tarry meconium stools to regular baby stool.
Understanding Baby Stool Color
It's normal for a baby's stool to change color during the first few days of life. Initially, babies pass meconium, which is typically black. As they begin to digest breast milk or formula, the stool changes. Green stool can appear during this transition.
Transitioning Stool:
- Meconium: The first few bowel movements are black, tarry, and sticky. This is called meconium.
- Transition: As digestion begins, stools transition to a more loose and varied color. This is when you might see green.
- Normal Baby Stool: After this phase, stool typically settles into shades of yellow, tan, or brown.
Reference:
A newborn baby usually kicks off life on the outside with a few diapers full of dark, tarry stools known as meconium. Both breastfed and formula-fed babies produce these black stools at first. One of the most common times for a baby to have green stool is when meconium transitions to regular baby stool.
Key Takeaways:
- Green stool is often a part of the normal transition from meconium to regular baby stool.
- Both breastfed and formula-fed babies may experience this color change.
- If the green stools persist or are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or blood, consult a pediatrician.
When To Be Concerned:
While green stool is often normal, consult your pediatrician if:
- The stool remains green for an extended period.
- You observe other symptoms alongside green stool, such as:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Blood in the stool
- Changes in feeding behavior
- Signs of dehydration
