Essential guide to baby poo

Green poo

Remember baby poo is green/yellow in very early days, but after a month green stools are unusual.

Green poo is commonly an indication that a breast-feeding baby has taken in too much lactose (the natural sugar found in milk) from the foremilk, which happens if he or she feeds often, but doesn't get the rich hind milk at the end of the feed to fill them up. As the foremilk is more dilute, with more lactose and less calories, it stimulates your baby's digestive tract to move the milk along too fast producing green, often explosive, nappies!

Green poo may also be caused by overfeeding or underfeeding in both breast-fed and bottle-fed babies or is a sign that a baby has a stomach bug. If it persists contact your GP or health visitor.

Consistently green stools could also be a warning that your baby is sensitive to something such as a medicine he/she is having or mum is having (via breast milk). Typical examples include antibiotics or iron supplements. Very occasionally, a baby can become sensitive to something in his/her mother's diet that is passed to him/her through her breast milk. In this case other symptoms, such as eczema or a rash, may be present. It can be hard to pinpoint the trigger. If you suspect your baby has a food allergy or intolerance, you should talk it through with your GP or breastfeeding counsellor.

Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment is a medicine. Always read the label.