More green poo - hv says overfeeding

[Zaft]

Sorry if this topic has been done already but have heard conflicting advice and wondered if anyone could shed any light.
DS is almost 7 weeks and ebf. He has gone from a birthweight of 6lb9oz to 10lb12oz. He does occasional green poos - about one every other day (no mucous, same texture as normal just green) - other poos are normal mustard. I have read on here that green poo can be a foremilk/hindmilk issue, however hv at clinic said it indicates either over or underfeeding. If overfeeding the green is apparently caused by the pancreas producing more bile to help digest the excess milk (and given weight gain more likely to be over than under feeding). However, I have also read on here and been told by another hv that you can't overfeed a breastfed baby as they regulate milk supply themselves. Who is correct? Any input appreciated.

Pretty sure your HV is talking nonsense. Is not possible to 'overfeed' a BF baby.

DS often had green poo as a baby, I was told it was nothing to worry about. (I always did worry about it, of couse, but he's a big healthy 4 year old now )

Your Ds's weight gain is great - you're doing a fantastic job - Congratulation.

At the frequency you describe I wouldn't worry about it, although I'm assuming it's interspersed with lots of yellow ones.

I think your HV is just a bit confused and actually means he could be taking too much foremilk. This could happen if you offer a different side each time and there is a small gap inbetween feeds. If this is the case you could offer the first side again at the next feed (block feeding) or alternatively practice switch feeding. So when he's done with the second side (assuming he takes a full second side at each feed) offer the first side again instead of assuming he's done.

However, if my first sentence is right, I wouldn't worry about it. We don't need people making things more complicated than they are. I think a lot of us just accepted the odd green one as physiologically normal.

My DSs often had poo that looked like spinach. Was also told it was a foremilk issue too and I did have issues with over supply. I rang the NCT BF helpline and she recommended oak feeding.

It sorted itself put eventually. It sounds lime you are doing a great job :)

That should be block feeding not oak.

Bloody iPhone

Yes, my understanding is green poo + happy baby = not a problem.

My understanding is that it is related to formilk/hind milk issues as well. Ds2 (now 8 and very healthy) used to have green poops fairly frequently. I did find that there was a connection with his feeding frequently for short spells and the colour so put it down to lack of hind milk... I am happy to be corrected but wanted to say that it seems highly unlikey that you are overfeeding a breastfed baby. It sounds as though you are doing brilliantly.

Here is a link that I found via Kellymom about possible reasons for green stool: www.mother-2-mother.com/cc-baby-A.htm

hth

Thanks for your responses. As a ftm I'm amazed at how much conflicting parenting advice there is, even from hv and doctors. I think really all I need is the confidence to trust my instincts. Will give the block feeding a go and see if it makes a difference, am not going to worry too much though. Thanks again - am new to MN and impressed at how quickly you have all responded. Reading the talk forums helps keep me awake during night feeds (haven't mastered the art of feeding lying down and not smothering him with my rather large breasts!).

Unless the green poo is making him unhappy, I wouldn't bother with block feeding either - it's better to just let babies regulate their own intake rather than enforcing one thing or the other on them. Block feeding is used to correct oversupply when a baby is struggling but it doesn't sound like you have a problem.

If your baby is content and gaining weight then you're doing everything fine.

Zaft - MN is a lifesaver during nightfeeds! (in fact, I talked DH in to getting me a netbook when DD was born to keep in bed . I classified it as a necessary breastfeeding purchase )

No need to block feed - this could create problems of its own. Am really surprised this was suggested on the NCT line, unless there were other problems.

No need to do anything.

Green poo is on the normal spectrum.

It is not necessarily a foremilk-hindmilk 'issue' , it is not necessarily 'under or over feeding'. It usually reflects 'intestinal hurry' - milk is going through the system a tad more quickly (could be any one of several reasons) and that does not matter a bit if the baby is healthy and happy.

Have never heard of it indicating 'over feeding' by the way.

tiktok the poster who mentioned the NCT line said she had over-supply.

Ah, yes, you're right, Moon :)

Hi - I would agree with all other responses Zaft. My dd2 had green poo (horrid mucosy ones too) for about the first 3 months! Its only in the last 4 weeks or so that they have turned yellow. I did loads of research, had weird HV advice like you (one of them mentioned overfeeding and bile too - you don't live in herts do you?) and stopped eating dairy. Not sure any of it really made a difference.

i think it is/was a mixture of her having an immature tummy (she still gets through 10+ nappies a day and wakes up to do tremendous farts! and back to back colds with a bit of teething thrown in!

(and I also agree with MN being essential for night feeds!)

Ok, thanks all. Will carry on as normal. He does do a lots of poos, usually just after feeds, which would maybe support the idea of his intestines being in a hurry. Nope, not in Herts - there must be more than one hv with the bile idea!

My ds was a 10 times a day poo-er for months, I'm always jealous of these breastfed babies who only poo once a week

I know this is a super old post. But I’m curious if anyone has an answer. My son is 5 months. He’s EBF and always had approx 3 poo’s a day and normal colour poo but it’s now more green and he poo’s Upto 8 times a day. He’s healthy and otherwise happy. Could it be teething ? Any advice appreciated. Thanks!