A 4-month-old baby showing green stool may be a normal physiological phenomenon or it could be caused by certain abnormal conditions such as exposure to cold or improper feeding methods.
In the first few months after birth, the baby’s digestive system is not fully matured, especially the discharge function of bile may not be strong enough, leading to stool being colored by bile and appearing green. This situation usually improves naturally as the baby grows and usually does not require special treatment.
However, green stool may also indicate some issues. For example, exposure of the baby’s abdomen to cold may accelerate gastrointestinal motility, causing bilirubin to convert to biliverdin, turning the stool green. In this case, warm compresses or gentle abdominal massage can help alleviate the condition, while ensuring the baby’s abdomen stays warm.
Improper feeding, such as preparing infant formula too concentrated or introducing too many different types of foods during the weaning process, may also contribute to green stool. Adjusting the formula ratio and properly scheduling solid foods usually restores the stool color to normal.
A lack of vitamin D and calcium is another possible reason. Severe calcium deficiency can affect intestinal water absorption, leading to thin stool that may be green. Doctors may recommend supplementing with vitamin AD drops and calcium carbonate granules to correct this condition.
When green stool is accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, it may be a sign of acute enteritis, usually associated with bacterial infection. In such cases, antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, such as cefaclor granules or amoxicillin capsules, are needed to control inflammation.
Additionally, other health issues like upper respiratory tract infections or gastrointestinal functional disorders can also cause green stool. In such cases, treatment should be based on specific causes, such as using probiotics powders to help adjust the intestinal flora and promote the restoration of the digestive system.
In daily care, ensure that the baby’s belly and surroundings are kept warm to avoid cold exposure, and adhere to reasonable feeding principles, avoiding overfeeding to reduce the baby’s digestive burden and prevent the occurrence of discomfort symptoms.
