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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Sudden Change In Color Of Bowel Movements Of Breast Feeding Child With Strong Acidic Smell And Passing Lot Of Gas. Is He Having Colic?

Hi my 6 week old son has had a sudden change in bowel movements. For a couple of days there were green bits in his movements, but I put that down to being the salad I had eaten ( I am breastfeeding ). Then the movements had a green tinge to them and now they are back to yellow but with a very strong acidic smell. My pedeatrician says he may have colic and to wait a few days. My son is also releasing a lot of gas. Please advise
Fri, 22 Jun 2012
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Pediatrician 's  Response
hi,

babies initially have varied stool frequency and consistency.. some babies may pass stools 8- 10 times where as some may just pass once a day.. same goes with consistency and color.. varies with each baby and also depends on what the baby was given apart from breast milk.. the diet taken by the mother does not influence the stool color in the baby..

if the child is being fed with formulas, bottle feeds then this green coloration may also happen..
usually only breast milk is advised for first 6 months.. so if the child is only on breast feeds and has green colored stools there is nothing to worry as long as child is active , passing urine more than 6 times a day..
excess of mucus, foul smell, and blood tinge indicates infection and needs immediate attention by a pediatrician..

coming to issue of excess gas.. if baby is being given any top feeds please stop till 6 months just give breast milk.. and while drinking milk children often swallow a lot of air.. hence after feeds burp the child by putting him on the shoulder for 10 - 15 min.. that should make the baby comfortable..
if he is crying cause of gas then place him in prone or on tummy for 4-5 min which helps release the gases and makes the baby comfortable..
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Pediatrician Dr. Arulalan Katpadivaradarajan's  Response
hello parent,
To me this appears perfectly normal
Motions of exclusively breast fed babies have this frequency. One after every feed or once a week. both are normal.
Provided
1. the child had passed motion with in 24 hours after birth
2. The motions are moist and soft
What else is normal
1. Passing motion immediately after feeds
2. Green
3. White threads
4. Froth
5. Noise
6. Anus redness
7. Straining
8. Abdominal pain
9. Passing few drops
10. Passing mucus
What is wrong
Passing blood in stools.
Breast feed him exclusively, for first 6 months
Do not give water, but you consume that water and feed him

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Sudden Change In Color Of Bowel Movements Of Breast Feeding Child With Strong Acidic Smell And Passing Lot Of Gas. Is He Having Colic?

hi, babies initially have varied stool frequency and consistency.. some babies may pass stools 8- 10 times where as some may just pass once a day.. same goes with consistency and color.. varies with each baby and also depends on what the baby was given apart from breast milk.. the diet taken by the mother does not influence the stool color in the baby.. if the child is being fed with formulas, bottle feeds then this green coloration may also happen.. usually only breast milk is advised for first 6 months.. so if the child is only on breast feeds and has green colored stools there is nothing to worry as long as child is active , passing urine more than 6 times a day.. excess of mucus, foul smell, and blood tinge indicates infection and needs immediate attention by a pediatrician.. coming to issue of excess gas.. if baby is being given any top feeds please stop till 6 months just give breast milk.. and while drinking milk children often swallow a lot of air.. hence after feeds burp the child by putting him on the shoulder for 10 - 15 min.. that should make the baby comfortable.. if he is crying cause of gas then place him in prone or on tummy for 4-5 min which helps release the gases and makes the baby comfortable..