Reasons for dark green stools in babies

In fact, babies are not very familiar with the surrounding environment when they are just born. In this case, you will feel that your baby's bowel movements and even all aspects are not normal. In fact, after a while, they will slowly return to their true state. Let us understand the reasons why baby's stools are dark green.

main reason:

1. Neonatal meconium: The main component of meconium is water, accounting for about 72%. It is composed of epithelial cells shed from the fetal intestine, bile, concentrated digestive juices and swallowed amniotic fluid. It is first excreted within a few hours after birth (usually within 10 hours). It is dark green and a little shiny, much like the asphalt melted by the scorching sun on the road in summer. It turns dark green when rubbed and has no odor. It gradually transitions to normal baby feces within 2 to 3 days after feeding.

2. Breastfed baby poop: Breastfed babies’ poop is yellow or golden yellow before adding complementary food, and is pasty, sometimes slightly watery or green, with a slightly sour taste. They have 3 to 4 bowel movements a day. There are many normal parasitic bacteria in the baby's intestines, such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, etc. They help break down food in the intestines, promote absorption, and create an acidic environment in the intestines. Intestinal pathogenic bacteria are most afraid of acidity, so it is difficult for them to survive and cause disease in the intestines. After adding complementary foods, the frequency of bowel movements gradually decreases to 1 to 2 times a day.

3. Artificially-fed baby poop: Artificially-fed baby poop is light yellow or earthy gray (lighter than breastfed baby poop), with a harder texture. Because the milk powder contains more protein, it has an obvious odor of protein decomposition. It occurs 1 to 2 times a day, sometimes with milk lumps. If starchy foods are added at the same time, bowel movements will not be frequent, but the volume will be larger, dark brown in color, and the odor will be stronger.

4. Baby poop after adding complementary foods: After adding complementary foods, the baby’s main food is no longer milk-based, but a transition to adult food. Rice, noodles, vegetables, meat, soy products, etc. all become the baby’s food. The stool is now banana colored.

The above article gives you a detailed introduction to the reasons why baby stools are dark green. I believe you already have a preliminary understanding. So if your child has such a situation, it is best to go to the hospital for a more detailed examination.