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Does Green Colored Stool In Child Indicate Infection?

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Posted on Tue, 31 Mar 2015
Question: Hello, I have twin girl babies and they are just over a month old now, we are feeding them on mostly Lactogen, each feed is almost 60ml every two hours along with mothers milk which is less than 50 ml overall per day.

The babies poop is showing green color and we are worried if they have any infection, I would like to email a picture but I don't see an option here. However the babies seem healthy and active and they are hungry all the time.

Since the mothers milk is very less we are worried that their Lactogen consumption is more and not suiting them, do we change to Dextrolac (recommended by a friend)?

Also, the babies seem to be asking for more feed freequently, we are worried and not sure how much Lactogen should be given per day.

Can you please recommend.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Greenish stools are normal in a baby of this age. No need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Congratulations on having a twin baby.

Breast milk is the best possible feed for a baby. It is produced in response to the child's demand whichi is expressed with increased amount of sucking. The more hungry the baby, more does she suck. But if external feeds are given, automatically the tendency to suck comes down and so does the amount of breast milk produced. In case you want the amount of breast milk to increase, you will have to keep this in consideration. Also ask the mother to take Lactonic granules one XXXXXXX in a glass of milk twice daily. It can help in increasing the amount of milk produced.

Generally the rule is that the baby feeds as much as it wants. No real limitations. But practically the amount suggested is around 2.5 ounces (1 ounce=30ml) per pound of body weight (1 pound=420 gm) per day. No problems if there is some variation. Increased consumption would not cause any harm. The adequacy of the feeds would be evident from the amount of urine passed. If the babies pass urine 6 or more times a day, you can take the amount of feeds to be adequate.

Let me assure you that in case of a baby of this age, green stools are absolutely normal and not a cause to worry about. It is caused due to rapid transit of the fecal matter through the large intestines and the bile pigments do not get adequate time to get converted to yellow coloured pigment of stool. Moreover, passing stool 10 times is equally normal as passing stool once in 10 days and in neither case there is a cause to worry. The child may pass stool after each feed that is normal too.It does not indicate food alelrgy on your part or on the part of your child. No medicines are required for the same.

Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence not easy for the child to digest. I would not distinguish between the individual formulae. You can give the formula of your choice. No big deal.

Hope that helps.

In case you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Does Green Colored Stool In Child Indicate Infection?

Brief Answer: Greenish stools are normal in a baby of this age. No need to worry. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Congratulations on having a twin baby. Breast milk is the best possible feed for a baby. It is produced in response to the child's demand whichi is expressed with increased amount of sucking. The more hungry the baby, more does she suck. But if external feeds are given, automatically the tendency to suck comes down and so does the amount of breast milk produced. In case you want the amount of breast milk to increase, you will have to keep this in consideration. Also ask the mother to take Lactonic granules one XXXXXXX in a glass of milk twice daily. It can help in increasing the amount of milk produced. Generally the rule is that the baby feeds as much as it wants. No real limitations. But practically the amount suggested is around 2.5 ounces (1 ounce=30ml) per pound of body weight (1 pound=420 gm) per day. No problems if there is some variation. Increased consumption would not cause any harm. The adequacy of the feeds would be evident from the amount of urine passed. If the babies pass urine 6 or more times a day, you can take the amount of feeds to be adequate. Let me assure you that in case of a baby of this age, green stools are absolutely normal and not a cause to worry about. It is caused due to rapid transit of the fecal matter through the large intestines and the bile pigments do not get adequate time to get converted to yellow coloured pigment of stool. Moreover, passing stool 10 times is equally normal as passing stool once in 10 days and in neither case there is a cause to worry. The child may pass stool after each feed that is normal too.It does not indicate food alelrgy on your part or on the part of your child. No medicines are required for the same. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence not easy for the child to digest. I would not distinguish between the individual formulae. You can give the formula of your choice. No big deal. Hope that helps. In case you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating. Regards Dr. Diptanshu Das