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What Causes Greenish Stools In A 3 Week Old Infant?

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Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015
Question: My baby is 3 weeks old , feeding Nestle Nan pro 1 since birth , baby is passing green potty since last 1 week , having milk & passing urine , sleeping normally ,feeding 70-90 ml after 2 Hrs gap, gaining weight born 3 kgs now 3.7 kg,
Why green potty ?
Kindly help
Thx
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Green stools are normal for this age.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Let me assure you that greenish stools are normal in a child of this age. It is caused due to rapid transit of fecal matter through the large intestines where it does not get adequate time for the bile pigments to convert into the yellow pigment of stool. It is not a cause of concern and does not need to be treated. Moreover, passing stool several times a day or even after each feed is normal too.

Breast milk is the best possible feed for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. It would be appreciable if you can express your breast milk and refrigerate it for later use if you are away to for some reason. If that is not feasible, giving Nan Pro 1 would be fine. Let the child feed on demand.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 hours later)
My paediac is saying that we should switch to lactodex from Nan pro 1 , should we
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I find no justification in changing the formula.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks again for writing back.

As I have already explained, greenish stools are NORMAL for this age. So you need to understand what really are we trying to achieve. Had this been due to lactose intolerance, there would perhaps been justification to change over to a lactose free formula. But, I find no justification for changing the formula (unless you try to change over to breast milk). Most formula milks are cow milk based and more or less equally difficult for a child to digest anyway.

If you found my answer helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
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. Pradeep Vitta
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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What Causes Greenish Stools In A 3 Week Old Infant?

Brief Answer: Green stools are normal for this age. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Let me assure you that greenish stools are normal in a child of this age. It is caused due to rapid transit of fecal matter through the large intestines where it does not get adequate time for the bile pigments to convert into the yellow pigment of stool. It is not a cause of concern and does not need to be treated. Moreover, passing stool several times a day or even after each feed is normal too. Breast milk is the best possible feed for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. It would be appreciable if you can express your breast milk and refrigerate it for later use if you are away to for some reason. If that is not feasible, giving Nan Pro 1 would be fine. Let the child feed on demand. Hope that helps. Regards Dr. Diptanshu Das