Green Poop in a Newborn — Is It Normal? When Not to Worry

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This video is a consultation about a 25-day-old baby who is passing green coloured potty, and the mother is worried. The doctor explains why it happens: our bile comes out from the gallbladder and reaches the intestine, and it is green in colour. In the intestine its colour changes to yellow. If your baby is only passing green potty, there is nothing to panic about — provided there is no fever, the baby is not passing loose motions repeatedly, the stomach is not bloated, the baby is not vomiting, the baby is gaining weight properly, feeding is going fine, and there is no blood, no mucus and no foul smell. If it is only green potty with no other problem, there is nothing to worry about. It is natural and settles on its own with time. Relevant for: parents of newborns and small babies passing green stool; parents worried whether green potty means infection or something serious; parents wanting to know which warning signs to watch for — fever, loose motions, bloated stomach, vomiting, poor weight gain, feeding problems, blood, mucus or foul smell in stool; and parents asking about the role of bile in stool colour. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your pediatrician if your baby has fever, repeated loose motions, vomiting, a bloated stomach, poor weight gain, or blood, mucus or foul smell in the stool.