Green Poop in Babies: Causes, When to Worry, and What Parents Should Know 

Introduction

During the first few months of life, babies go through rapid changes in feeding and digestion, affecting their stool pattern and colour.  

While yellow or light brown stool is most common, green coloured poop may also occur. A large study following over 1,000 healthy infants found that nearly half experienced green-coloured stools at some point within the first 17 weeks, regardless of whether they were breastfed or formula-fed¹.

Often temporary, green poop is usually linked to normal variations in bowel frequency and digestion. For parents, however, the sudden sight of green stools in infants can be concerning. Therefore, understanding what is typical and when it may indicate an issue can help reduce unnecessary worry and guide timely consultation with a doctor. 

Is Green Poop Normal?

Most of the time, your child’s poop will be a familiar shade of brown, which signals healthy digestion. But poop that looks very different in colour can sometimes be a cause for concern. For example, red streaks on toilet paper may simply come from wiping too hard, a small tear, or vaginal bleed in early life, but red-coloured stool itself could point to issues such as intussusception or internal bleeding that need medical attention. 

In babies, however, stool colour can change a lot as they grow. In the first week of life, it often starts off dark green-black and sticky, then turns greener, and later shifts toward yellow, orange, or brown as breast milk or formula feeding continues².

Green baby poop is common in babies and usually associated with feeding and digestive changes. While usually it is nothing to worry about, it’s important to note if the green poop is associated with any other symptoms. A green- coloured poop with good weight gain of infant is typically considered normal. Although, a green poop with fever or vomiting may suggest a gastro-intestinal infection (mostly parasites), while that with blood and mucus is indicative of protein allergies (Cow Milk Protein allergies)³.

However, these issues may become more prominent as the baby grows and usually in newborns, green poop may be considered normal. At this stage, what parents should watch for instead are pale, white, grey, or very light-yellow stools (especially in a baby with jaundice), which do require prompt medical advice. 

Common Causes of Green Poop

Seeing green baby poop can be surprising, but in most cases, it is perfectly normal. Babies’ stools go through many colour changes in the first few months of life as their digestive system develops and as feeding patterns shift. While brown and yellow shades are most common, green stools often occur and are usually harmless³. Some common causes include: 

• Slow digestion: Foods that are harder to digest, such as large amounts of cereal, can slow digestion. This may result in green stools³. 
• Breastfeeding factors: Two types of milk come during breastfeeding, one is foremilk (milk that comes at the beginning of feeding) and the other is hindmilk (milk that comes at the end of feeding). An imbalance may lead to green, frothy stools⁴.
• Diet changes: In older babies and children, green vegetables (like spinach or peas) or foods with artificial colouring/dyes can cause green stools⁵.
• Formula feeding: Iron-fortified formula often gives poop a greenish tint⁵. 
• Certain medical conditions: Illnesses like diarrhoea, stomach infection, malabsorption syndromes, food allergies or some medicines (like antibiotics) may change the stool colour to green⁵.

Green Poop by Age Group

Green poop can vary depending on age, diet, and digestive development. Therefore, understanding how green stools typically present in different age groups can help parents and caregivers know when it is harmless and when medical advice may be needed. 

• Newborns (0 to 1 month): Babies’ first stools, called meconium, are dark green or black and sticky. As feeding begins, stools often turn green, especially in breastfed infants who get more foremilk than hindmilk³.
• Infants (1 to 12 months): Green stools are common as babies transition between breast milk, formula, and the introduction of solid foods. Certain foods, like iron-fortified cereals or green vegetables, can make poop green⁵. Gastrointestinal infections causing green poop may also occur in this age group⁶.
• Toddlers and Young Children (1 to 5 years): Diet has a bigger impact. In this age group, eating large amounts of green vegetables, foods with green colouring, or certain snacks can turn stool green. Mild infections or changes in gut bacteria may also contribute⁵. Malabsorption syndromes may become more prominent⁷.
• Older Children and Adults: Green poop is usually related to diet, such as eating leafy greens, artificially coloured/dyed foods, or taking iron supplements. Additionally, rapid intestinal transit due to mild diarrhoea can cause stools to appear green⁵.

When is Treatment Needed?

Most of the time, green baby poop is harmless and does not require treatment. However, you should consult a doctor if your child has: 

• Persistent green stools with diarrhoea or a change in consistency 
• Blood in the stool or black, tarry stools (after the newborn stage)⁴ 
• Pale, white, or grey stools⁴ 
• Signs of illness such as fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, poor feeding, or dehydration⁶

Note: Treatment, if needed, will depend on the underlying cause, such as an infection, digestive issue, or dietary adjustment. 

How to Prevent Green Poop

Parents often wonder how to stop green poop in babies and maintain normal stool colour.  

So, let us have a look at some home remedies that can help support healthy digestion and reduce green stools naturally: 

1. Ensure Proper Hygiene

Wash hands properly. Ensure to use clean utensils and properly sterilised feeding bottles⁸. 

2. Monitor Feeding Patterns

For breastfed babies, ensure a proper balance of foremilk and hindmilk during feeds. For formula-fed infants, follow recommended preparation guidelines. 

3. Keep Them Hydrated

Adequate fluid intake helps digestion and keeps stools soft. This may help reduce changes in colour due to rapid transit. 

4. Introduce New Foods Gradually

When starting solids, introduce new foods one at a time and continue the same food for at least 2-3 days to observe any effects on stool colour and digestive comfort. 

5. Ensure a Balanced Diet

Include a mix of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your child’s diet as they grow. Make sure to avoid excessive amounts of foods that could turn stools green, like spinach or iron-fortified cereals.

6. Maintain Good Gut Health 

Introduce regular, age-appropriate meals and snacks, along with probiotics (only if recommended by a paediatrician) to support healthy bowel movements. 

7. Watch for Underlying Issues

Persistent green stools with other symptoms may signal an infection or digestive problem. Therefore, in such cases, seek medical advice promptly². 

When to Call the Doctor

After birth, medical staff monitor your baby’s first urination and bowel movement. The first stools, called meconium, are dark green or black and very sticky. If your baby has not passed meconium within 48 hours, further evaluation is needed to check for possible bowel issues³.

While green baby poop is usually harmless, you should consult a doctor if you notice persistent changes accompanied by diarrhoea, blood in the stool, worms in stools, pale or grey-coloured stool, or other unusual symptoms. 

Conclusion

Green stool in infants and children is usually harmless and often linked to diet, feeding patterns, or the speed of digestion. Fortunately, in most cases, it does not require treatment. However, persistent changes, blood in the stool, pale or grey stools, or other warning signs should prompt a medical evaluation.  

Remember, supporting healthy digestion through proper hydration, a balanced diet, and careful monitoring can help maintain your child’s digestive health. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Children’s Health Queensland. What is your child’s poo telling you? [Internet]. Children’s Health Queensland; [cited 2025 Sep 17]. Available from: https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/about-us/news/feature-articles/what-does-my-childs-poo-mean 

2. Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The Scoop About Poop [Internet]. Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services; [cited 2025 Sep 17]. Available from: https://dphhs.mt.gov/assets/BHDD/DDP/MedicalDirector/TheScoopaboutPoop050224.pdf 

3. Altmann T, et al., editors. Basic infant care. In: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. 7th ed. Bantam [Internet]. American Academy of Pediatrics; [cited 2025 Sep 17]. Available from:https://www.aap.org/Caring-for-Your-Baby-and-Young-Child-Birth-to-Age-5-8th-Edition-Paperback?srsltid=AfmBOoqEeMmDJZ383UOeN9nOB6qZnsFVcBIg7wozh9xeMKbbb8KVgc3Y 

4. Jana LA, et al. Poop happens. In: Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality. 4th ed. [Internet]. American Academy of Pediatrics; [cited 2025 Sep 17]. Available from: https://www.aap.org/Heading-Home-With-Your-Newborn-5th-Edition-From-Birth-to-Reality-Paperback?srsltid=AfmBOoquIxjXbrxKt3RtTa9BN0SnRLlA7jYFL_k_7AvQDUdt77x7pY1s 

5. National Guideline Alliance (UK). Signs and symptoms of serious illness in babies: Postnatal care [Internet]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE); [cited 2025 Sep 17] Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571555/ 

6. Solasaari T, Korpela K, Lommi S, Hyvönen S, Gardemeister S, Merras-Salmio L, Salonen A, de Vos WM, Kolho KL. Bowel function in a prospective cohort of 1052 healthy term infants up to 4 months of age. Eur J Pediatr. 2024 Aug;183(8):3557-3565. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11263225/ 

7. Zuvarox T, Goosenberg E, Belletieri C. Malabsorption Syndromes. Treasure Island [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; [cited 2025 Oct 24]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553106/ 

8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding Items: Frequently Asked Questions [Internet]. CDC; [cited 2025 Oct 24]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/faq/index.html