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Original poster

Green poo, 10 wks, advice please!

16 replies

bluegrey · 19/03/2008 22:37

My 10 week old daughter has had 3 isolated incidents of green poo, the latest being this afternoon. As it's happened before I feel I should check this out (again) with the doctor. What are other people's experiences? Can green poo occur every now and then in breastfed babies for no apparent reason? If it's related to babies not getting enough hindmilk, does anyone have any tips for making sure my daughter feeds for longer (although I'm convinced she's feeding for long enough on the majority of feeds, but she's started having a 10 minute snack at the start of each day and then not feeding again for a good 3 hours)?
She also has regular diarrhoea and I've changed my diet to try to prevent this and now include far fewer fruit and veg on the advice of health visitors. Any related experiences on this would also be useful to hear about... Thanks!

OP posts:

fuzzymummy · 19/03/2008 23:03

No expert but I have heard in breastfed babies it is the too much foremilk thing . You have to try to make sure that she finishes one breast before you start the other one . Have had this with my son who is now 14 weeks . I have also had issues with what I eat . Brassicas , raw or lightly cooked onions , peppers ,grapes and chocalate all produce colicy symptoms in him . Enquired with breastfeeding counsellor and she advised the situation will probably continue until he is 6 months . I would advise you to consult a breastfeeding counsellor rather than a health visitor on this issue as they tend to have no personal experience .

lackaDAISYcal · 19/03/2008 23:06

If it is an oversupply issue then feeding on one side for two feeds before swapping over should sort it, but you need to be sure this is the case before dpoing this, as it might muck up with your supply if it isn't.

I think the odd green poo isn't anything to be concerned about.

More info on Kellymom

fuzzymummy · 19/03/2008 23:07

BY the way breastfed babies normally have what might be construed as diarrhoea by someone who is used to bottlefed babies . I have breastfed 3 babies now and until you wean the poo is very runny and that is normal . Your health visitor should have known that . Look on the web for your nearest breastfeeding counsellor.

lackaDAISYcal · 19/03/2008 23:08

keep this bumped tomorrow for the lovely tiktok or one of the other BFing counsellors on here.

Dalrymps · 19/03/2008 23:10

I think it's quite common to get the odd green poo, I wouldn't worry to much, had quite a few with ds (20 wks), i've heard that as long as it's not green for days on end it's nothing to worry about, if it's just now and again should be fine. As with anything though, if you're concerned the best thing to do would be to speak to doc/hv/bfc

S1ur · 19/03/2008 23:11

Green poo can occur every now and again with bf babies.

It is usually an indication that the milk has passed quickly through their systems. So tinged. But as long as it isn't all the time it isn't an issue. If you baby is feeding well and having lots of wet nappies and putting on weight I wouldn't be overly concerned about hindmilk/foremilk distinction. Some babies feed often and quickly others are attached for hours. Mine were both quick suckers and fed for less than 10mins on one side.

Nothing you said makes me concerned.

Except what do you mean by diarrhoea? I would be concerned for your diet if you are limiting you fruit and veg...

BTW with my first I worried she didin't feed long enough and used to try and tickle her feet, change her and offer again blah balh, it really didn't work because she'd just had enough at that point.

fuzzymummy · 19/03/2008 23:11

Enjoy your baby and breastfeeding . Try to get advice from someone who has breastfed themselves . You can't learn these things properly from a book !

Original poster

bluegrey · 19/03/2008 23:14

Thanks for both of your advice. The idea of feeding twice from the same breast is an interesting one. The whole BFC vs HV is a tough one - within the space of 2 hours one day I'd spoken to both and got different advice and I found it so distressing and it completely suppressed any sense of being able to trust my instincts. I have been following the idea of doing 25 - 30 mins on one side and swapping to the other side for the remainder of the feed, but I reckon I should stop doing that now and go back to the original advice I got about draining one side completely. How can it be so complicated!

OP posts:

kikid · 19/03/2008 23:19

Bf babies poo is generally runny and orangy coloured.
I can't say i saw green poo,with mine.
I would talk to a dr at baby clinic if you can, if your baby is well, I would'nt worry.

bandgeek · 19/03/2008 23:25

I found my dd had green poo if I ate certain foods....

I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as it isn't every poo that is green.

S1ur · 19/03/2008 23:26

Relax. First your baby is doing well yes? Gaining weight and alert, happy?

The odd green poo is fine. Lots and lots of green poo needs addressing.

I'd be more concerned about diarrhoea. But you've addressed that yes?

Back to poo then. The idea with foremilk and hindmilk is more of a continuim, in that the longer they feed the thicker, richer more fatty the milk is. Some people can have an overabundant supply you might ntice this if you were a frequent leaker, or spurter, or your baby was a big gainer of weight. It isn't a problem but might be a time to consider double feeding, ie feeding twice on one side. I wouldn't do this if you didn't have other indications though.

Chances are it is just she gulped that feed down and it passed through quickly. I'd feed as normal.

And I'd always take advice from the bfc above the hv personally, (I do have a crap hv!)

Gah, why did hunkermunker take a break eh? Don't worry tiktok usually checks these threads and will be able to refute my rubbish advice give proper advice when she does in morning

MadamePlatypus · 19/03/2008 23:27

My first bit of advice would be don't look up 'green poo' on the internet - there are some very odd sites.

DS had 2 or 3 instances of green poo when he was very small. It didn't seem to bother him, although we were a little shocked.

Original poster

bluegrey · 19/03/2008 23:51

Slur, the diarrhoea is ongoing really. It happens every few days and then only once, but I have always had a bit of a dodgy stomach and the doctor doesn't seem worried by it because she's otherwise healthy. Maybe I should insist it's looked into more?

OP posts:

fuzzymummy · 20/03/2008 00:09

Honestly breastfed babies poo is runny . It is never formed or in any way thick , and that is normal . I suspect your baby is normal. Try to find some other local breastfeeding advice .Remember if your GP has not breastfed herself she may n ot be the best bperson to advise . IF your daughter is gaining around 4 ounces per week at this stage I think everything is okay .

mears · 20/03/2008 00:28

It is not unusual for babies to have green poo - do not stress over it at all.

Breastfed babies have loose nappies - almost chicken korma consistency is a good description. There is no need for you to restrict your diet.

Let your baby feed on one breast until she finishes herself. Wind her and offer the other breast. She may or may not want it. I do not think, that from what you have posted, that you have an oversupply issue.

Just enjoy your baby

S1ur · 20/03/2008 01:13

Yes bf poos are very loose naturally. Would not expect formed stools. Diarrhoea in bf is more unusual and looks more like snotty muscy stuff I think.

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