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What Causes Green Stool In Infants After Feeding Formula Milk?
Question: Hi dr
I am a mother of twins who are 4.5 months, their stool color is green and has very bad smell to it. They are bottle fed as initially I was unable to produce Milk due to being born at 34 weeks. I felt like literally killing myself as drs and family members strongly insisted that I breastfeed both and it was impossible for me to do so and they cried so loud that they even rolled onto their tummy and back at 5 days of age. Is this black stool due to bottle-feeding? I'm using enfamil formula. They were 2 kg, now boy 5.5 kg and girl 4 kg. Girl always vomits up after burping and cries till she goes back to sleep. I'm hesitant to go to doctor as they scold me for bottlefeeding. Any suggestions and treatment are appreciated. Any food we can try now?
I am a mother of twins who are 4.5 months, their stool color is green and has very bad smell to it. They are bottle fed as initially I was unable to produce Milk due to being born at 34 weeks. I felt like literally killing myself as drs and family members strongly insisted that I breastfeed both and it was impossible for me to do so and they cried so loud that they even rolled onto their tummy and back at 5 days of age. Is this black stool due to bottle-feeding? I'm using enfamil formula. They were 2 kg, now boy 5.5 kg and girl 4 kg. Girl always vomits up after burping and cries till she goes back to sleep. I'm hesitant to go to doctor as they scold me for bottlefeeding. Any suggestions and treatment are appreciated. Any food we can try now?
Brief Answer:
Continue feeds as usual
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for asking on this platform
I have gone through the query and do understand your concern.
There is nothing to scold and you have my deepest sympathy.
As we all know mother's milk is the best for babies and one should try her best for breast feeding.But there are conditions where it is really difficult for a mother to breast feed her baby.In that condition formula feed can be given after taking all the necessary precautions.
The weight gain of both of your babies is normal(twice of their normal weight till 5 months of age).But there is a difference in weight gain with clear history of regurgitation in the baby girl.
So here I would like to rule out any regurgitation disorder.I request you to get her examined by a pediatrician and also to assess the need of medication if any.
Regarding green colored and foul smelling stool I would like to mention that since both of the babies have same symptoms,there is no associated fever and also there is no recent change in formula;you may just wait for two or three days as this may occur transiently even without any infection.If this persists get the stool test done and if this persists consult your pediatrician for the treatment.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more doubts.
Regards
Continue feeds as usual
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for asking on this platform
I have gone through the query and do understand your concern.
There is nothing to scold and you have my deepest sympathy.
As we all know mother's milk is the best for babies and one should try her best for breast feeding.But there are conditions where it is really difficult for a mother to breast feed her baby.In that condition formula feed can be given after taking all the necessary precautions.
The weight gain of both of your babies is normal(twice of their normal weight till 5 months of age).But there is a difference in weight gain with clear history of regurgitation in the baby girl.
So here I would like to rule out any regurgitation disorder.I request you to get her examined by a pediatrician and also to assess the need of medication if any.
Regarding green colored and foul smelling stool I would like to mention that since both of the babies have same symptoms,there is no associated fever and also there is no recent change in formula;you may just wait for two or three days as this may occur transiently even without any infection.If this persists get the stool test done and if this persists consult your pediatrician for the treatment.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more doubts.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you dr, can we give cerelac or ragi in semiliquid form at 4.5 months?
Brief Answer:
I won't recommend you to start complementary feed now
Detailed Answer:
Hi
thanks for follow up
Exclusive breastfeeding feed should be given till 6 months of age.Actually the concept behind starting the complementary feed at 6 months is that baby starts mouthing (try to put all the things in mouth),teeth starts erupting at 6 month and baby's gut is not mature enough to accept the cereals.
If practicing the recommendation one should not give complementary feed till 6 months.As babies are gaining weight adequately the current feed is appropriate.
Regards
I won't recommend you to start complementary feed now
Detailed Answer:
Hi
thanks for follow up
Exclusive breastfeeding feed should be given till 6 months of age.Actually the concept behind starting the complementary feed at 6 months is that baby starts mouthing (try to put all the things in mouth),teeth starts erupting at 6 month and baby's gut is not mature enough to accept the cereals.
If practicing the recommendation one should not give complementary feed till 6 months.As babies are gaining weight adequately the current feed is appropriate.
Regards
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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