Why is the newborn’s stool slightly green?

A newborn’s stool is the most reliable indicator of the baby’s digestive health. So, what does it mean when a newborn’s stool appears slightly green?

Causes of Slightly Green Stool in Newborns

Gastrointestinal dysfunction: Green stool accompanied by abdominal pain, poor sleep, loose stools, or even regurgitation may indicate gastrointestinal dysregulation. In such cases, timely administration of probiotics to the infant may be beneficial. Commonly used probiotics include *Bifidobacterium longum* (often marketed as “Prebiotin”), *Lactobacillus acidophilus*, and “Silenkang.” These probiotics help restore intestinal microbial balance and regulate gastrointestinal function, thereby improving green stool.

Acute enteritis: Green stool may occur alongside elevated white blood cell counts on routine stool examination—suggesting bacterial enteritis. In such cases, continued treatment with cephalosporin antibiotics is typically required. Alternatively, green stool may stem from lactose intolerance or cow’s milk protein allergy, possibly triggered by extensively hydrolyzed formula. Switching to an appropriate formula may be considered. However, if the infant shows no signs of discomfort, changing formulas may not be necessary. A typical treatment course lasts approximately seven days, during which green stool usually improves significantly. Green stool appearing within the first 10 days after birth is likely meconium—the newborn’s first stool. Most infants pass meconium and transition to transitional stool within 4–5 days and are typically discharged from the hospital around that time.

If green stool appears after meconium passage, it is most likely due to indigestion. Wishing you good health and happiness!