Green Poop in Babies: What Causes It?

If you're a new mother, chances are you're already accustomed to the various textures and colors of your baby's poop. Their developing bodies can create just about every form of poop imaginable under the sun, ranging from the small, pebble-like pellets to liquid monstrosities that may make even the most hardy moms queasy with vomit.

But nothing sets Mommy's alarm off more than green, runny poop that won't go away. Although your first instinct may be to visit the ER, hold off on that trip-green poop in babies is more common (and normal) than you think.

Green Poop in Babies: What Causes It?

Green poop in babies is caused by several completely normal things:

Cause: Too much iron.

If you regularly feed your baby iron-fortified formula, expect to see dark green to green stools in your baby's diaper. The iron causes the poop to retain a strong green shade.

Cause: Too much dairy.

Breastfeeding while consuming too much dairy can wreck havoc on the baby's digestive system, causing their poop to look light to dark green with a smelly, mucous-like texture. Some babies are sensitive to dairy, so it's a good idea to dial back your cheese addiction while breastfeeding.

Cause: Other allergies.

Green poop is also caused by allergic reactions to wheat or eggs, often accompanied by frequent crying, more spitting up, and red, painful rashes on the face. The solution? Seek advice from a doctor-he may suggest eliminating food groups from your diet to alleviate the symptoms.

Cause: Switching breasts often.

Babies are sensitive to "foremilk," the name given to new milk that leaves the breast. If you're feeding from your breast for the first time, you'll produce a thinner, less fatty liquid that may cause stomach cramping and green, frothy stools in babies. JustMommies.com recommends feeding from only one breast-you'll only produce the "good" milk here.

Cause: An intestinal virus.

A sudden intestinal virus can cause watery, green poop with a strong odor, lasting for a few days or more. A quick trip to the doctor can help alleviate the symptoms.

Cause: Teething.

The extra saliva babies produce while teething can travel down the throat into the intestines, irritating it. This causes them to produce dark green, runny stools, more recognizable by its diarrhea-like smell.

Cause: Too much green-colored food.

If you eat too many foods dyed with green food coloring, the results will show up in the baby's diaper.

Cause: Just a sign of a healthy, breast-fed baby.

It's normal to babies to produce green, somewhat solid poop if you breastfeed. The texture may look a little runny, lumpy, creamy or curdy, with little to no signs of irritation. "We shouldn't be any more surprised to see a variety of bowel movements in our babies than we would in anyone of any other age," says Dr. Jay Gordon, M.D., on his website DrJayGordon.com.

Green Poop in Babies: When to Seek Help

If you're still worried about your baby's stools, here are some situations when a trip to the doctor's office is necessary:

- If it lasts for a few days.

- If it's accompanied by more crying, spitting up or obvious irritation.

- If it looks consistently like diarrhea.

- If it contains blood.

Although green poop in babies is often not a sign of a serious condition, you should always seek medical advice if it doesn't seem normal. Going to the doctor too much won't hurt, but having a sick baby that could have been treated earlier will.

Sources:

"The 411 on Baby Poop (Infant Bowel Movements)" (JustMommies.com)
Dr. Jay Gordon and Cheryl Taylor White, C.B.E., "The Color of the Day: Solving Bowel Movement Mysteries" (DrJayGordon.com)