Patient's question:
The child just born doesn't know what's going on, there are always red spots on their body, and they are spitting up milk. Please ask what is the reason for green baby stool, is it normal?Doctor's answer:
Breastfed babies: Stools are golden yellow, soft, uniform in consistency, resembling soft butter. Occasionally, they may be slightly thin and greenish, with a slightly sour odor but no strong smell, averaging one to four bowel movements per day. If the baby normally has four to five bowel movements, or even seven to eight, but is generally in good health and gaining weight, this should not be considered pathological.Formula-fed babies: Stools are light yellow, drier, and more abundant, with a faint odor and sometimes mixed with curds. If the baby has only one to two bowel movements per day, it may indicate constipation.
The above information is referenced from Dr. Xu Jide's Pediatric Internal Medicine, 3rd Edition. The color of stool is related to the chemical changes of bile. In the upper small intestine, due to the effects of bilirubin and biliverdin, the stool appears yellow-green. As it reaches the colon, biliverdin is reduced to bilirubin, turning the stool yellow.
Breastfed babies' stools are slightly acidic, which can convert bilirubin to biliverdin under the action of oxidative bacteria, so their normal stools may appear slightly green. In contrast, formula-fed babies' stools are alkaline, which can further reduce bilirubin to colorless stercobilin, making the stool color lighter. If a formula-fed baby has green stools, it may indicate accelerated intestinal motility or intestinal inflammation, a sign of diarrhea. If a baby's stool was previously yellow but has now turned green, it may suggest diarrhea.
Diarrhea: Characterized by an increase in bowel movement frequency and changes in stool consistency (e.g., loose stools, watery stools, mucus, or blood, color changes, etc.). If a baby's original stools were formed but are now pasty, this is also diarrhea.
Common causes of diarrhea in babies include indigestion and intestinal inflammation. Generally, if a baby's stool is frothy, it often indicates indigestion. Only when a baby's digestion is poor and food residue increases can the intestines ferment it, producing gas that makes the stool frothy. Additionally, frothy stools may also be related to excessive air swallowed due to prolonged crying.
If a baby also has vomiting, with the vomit having an acidic odor or containing undigested milk curds, or if the baby has abdominal distension (the abdomen is higher than the chest when lying flat), and the stool is frothy, without mucus or blood, but the frequency of bowel movements increases, and the stool remains yellow or slightly greenish and mushy or watery, it is likely indigestion. In this case, you can give the baby digestive water to help, or probiotics like "Mama's Love" to regulate intestinal flora, or anti-diarrheal medication like Smecta.
If the baby also has severe vomiting, even vomiting immediately after eating, or intermittent crying that can be relieved on its own, with significant changes in stool consistency (e.g., resembling egg drop soup or watery, with mucus), it may indicate intestinal inflammation, which requires immediate medical attention. A stool test can help diagnose this condition.
If a baby with diarrhea also has persistent crying and poor spirits, and the stool resembles tomato juice, it may indicate intussusception, and if the stool has a very foul odor, it may suggest necrotizing enterocolitis. Some babies may also develop diarrhea after drinking cold tea. If the baby has indeed consumed cold tea before the diarrhea, the likelihood is higher, and it is recommended to avoid giving them excessive cold tea in the future. Additionally, improper introduction of solid foods (e.g., adding too quickly, too much, or too early) can also cause diarrhea.
In terms of care: Since diarrhea affects digestion when the baby has intestinal inflammation, you can give them pepsin or digestive water, such as "Food " digestive water. If the baby is breastfed, the lactating mother should follow a light but nutritious diet, avoiding greasy foods, and can take "Changlekang" to help the baby recover, as I advocate "treating mother and child together" for diarrhea treatment.
Additionally, since frequent bowel movements can cause discomfort to the baby's buttocks, it is recommended to avoid wrapping the baby's buttocks too tightly, especially when ensuring they are not exposed to cold. When cleaning the buttocks, use water instead of a cloth, and gently press instead of rubbing to avoid irritating the baby's delicate skin, which may cause severe crying. If the baby cries uncontrollably, check if their buttocks are red, as this may indicate discomfort.
To prevent diaper rash, you can apply a layer of ointment, such as tetracycline ointment or eye ointment, after each cleaning.
Does this answer your question?