Green poop in a child can be associated with many reasons, including those that do not affect the he alth of the baby. When observing such an unusual phenomenon, it is extremely important to pay attention to the frequency, duration of bowel movements, the consistency of feces, as well as the presence of certain impurities in it.
If green poop in a child occurs very often, and it worries you a lot, then it is better to consult a pediatrician and do not use medicines on your own.
Basic information
Why does the baby have green poop? This color of the stool is typical for many newborns, especially for 3-4 days of life. This period is called the transition period. It was at this time that the digestive system of the baby gradually gets used to a different type of food.
Pediatricians say that green poop in a child is a variant of the norm. But if a number of other signs are added to this symptom, then you should definitely look for the cause.
Baby nutrition
Green poop at the monthlythe child can be provoked by his food. Therefore, do not panic in advance. It is better to keep track of after what meal the color of the baby's feces changes.
Breastfeeding
According to experts, green poop in a child can occur if he ate only the so-called foremilk. What is it connected with? The fact is that, unlike the back, the fore breast milk is low-fat, as a result of which it is absorbed quite quickly. Sometimes such a chair is called “hungry” by pediatricians. This is due to the fact that, without sucking the breast and not reaching the fatty nutritious milk, the baby almost always remains hungry.
It should also be noted that if a child poops green poop, this indicates a high content of bilirubin in his blood. For a newborn baby, this indicator is the norm (excess bilirubin is excreted from the human body along with feces).
Also, the green color of the stool is often given by the diet of a nursing mother or breast milk hormones. A large amount of plant-based foods in a woman's diet makes her baby's stool greener.
Feeding formula
Why does the baby have an unnatural color of feces (baby 2 months old)? Green poop in formula-fed children of this age is considered a physiological norm. Such a phenomenon in a newborn may occur due to an increased amount of iron in purchased mixtures. By the way, when switching to another food, the color of feces can instantly change, whichtalks about an allergic reaction of the baby. In this regard, such actions should be coordinated with the pediatrician.
Begin feeding
By six months, babies begin to gradually feed. During this period, the baby receives regular food, and his digestive system actively adapts to the absorption and digestion of "adult" foods. In this regard, there may be malfunctions in the digestive tract. They usually show up as regurgitation, constipation, or green diarrhea.
If a baby has green poop, you should also remember that the feces left on the diaper oxidize rather quickly. Therefore, such an unusual phenomenon may be an elementary consequence of the oxidation of the stool when it interacts with air.
Lactase deficiency
It is no secret to anyone that the amount of enzymes, as well as their activity, directly affect the quality of the child's gastrointestinal tract. The green color of feces in a newborn baby is often associated with a deficiency of these same enzymes. First of all, it concerns the lack of lactase. This substance is designed to break down the carbohydrates in breast milk, or lactose.
If the baby sucks only foremilk, then the level of lactose in the stool increases significantly. This process can quite easily lead to the development of bloating and colic. With lactase deficiency, the consistency of the child's stool becomes more liquid. The color of the feces is greenish.
It should also be noted that with artificial feeding inthe child is also at risk of developing such a pathological condition. In this case, the pediatrician may recommend the use of low-lactose formulas.
How to help a child with lactase deficiency?
To diagnose this condition, doctors recommend examining the feces for the amount of lactose. Next, the pediatrician prescribes enzymatic agents. The terms of their application are usually short. The baby's body should only be helped a little, but in no case should you do all the work instead of him. This is due to the fact that enzymes can become addictive rather quickly. It should also be noted that such drugs can cause allergic reactions, constipation or diarrhea.
Diarrhea and green stools
Green poop (baby year old) accompanied by profuse diarrhea, out of the norm? In this case, the reasons for this color of feces can be:
- Dysbacteriosis. With this diagnosis, in addition to green stools, the baby may experience swelling, colic, skin rashes, as well as redness around the anus. As a rule, in such cases, the baby is prescribed probiotics, that is, a group of beneficial microorganisms in the form of lactic bacteria and yeast.
- Intestinal infection. The causative agents of such a disease can be bacteria, viruses, microbes and fungi. In acute forms of the disease, the baby may have a fever, anxiety, vomiting, colic, lethargy and refusal to eat.
- Viral infection. The child's immune system is immature. It is in the process of formation, and also depends onthe state of the microflora of his intestines. If the baby sucks breast milk, then he is almost completely immune from a viral infection. As for artificial babies, in this regard it is more difficult for them.
- Allergy. Changes in the color of the baby's stool may depend on the mother's diet, change of formula or medication.
When observing a baby with green stools and diarrhea at the same time, you should immediately consult a doctor. After all, such a phenomenon is a particular danger to the child.
Examination and treatment
If green stool worries parents more than the baby, it is better to immediately visit the hospital. To identify the causes of this condition, doctors recommend doing a bacteriological analysis of feces, as well as sowing on the intestinal microflora. Such examinations should be prescribed only by a doctor. You can take tests at a regular children's clinic.
In the event that the culture and other tests are normal, and the baby's condition confirms this, then you should not worry about the green stool. If during the examination any pathogenic pathogens are detected, then the pediatrician is obliged to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Helpful tips for parents
In order to prevent the development of serious diseases in the baby, experts recommend more carefully monitoring the frequency of his stool, smell and the presence of various impurities (for example, mucus, foam, blood, etc.). If such phenomena occur against the background of a poor condition of the child, then it is better to immediately seek medical advice.help.
If your baby has green stool, then don't worry ahead of time. The main indicator of a he althy state of the child is his behavior and mood, but not the unusual color of the stool.
