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Diaper

Why is my baby's poop green?

1 min read

Green poop is almost always normal and, on its own, is not a reason to worry.

Green stools are common in both breastfed and formula-fed babies, and green is one of the perfectly acceptable colors. Sometimes the digestive process slows down because of foods that take more effort to digest, such as large amounts of cereal once solids begin, and the stools turn green. Color shifts in general are expected as your baby's digestive system matures.

What matters more than color is how your baby is doing overall: feeding well, gaining weight, and passing soft stools. A few poop colors, though, always deserve a quick call to the doctor.

What you can do

  • Treat occasional green stool as normal, not an emergency.
  • Watch your baby's feeding, weight gain, and comfort instead of just color.
  • Note that supplemental iron can turn stool dark brown.
  • Call your pediatrician for white/pale, black (after meconium), or bloody stool.

Based on AAP guidance. Always consult your pediatrician for personalized advice.

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