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Is green poop ok for a baby?

Yes, green baby poop is almost always completely normal and not a cause for concern.

Green color typically comes from bile and is common in both breastfed and formula-fed babies, especially in the first months of life.

Strength of evidence

Strong

Backed by multiple national pediatric guideline sources (AAP, NHS, Raising Children Network) plus a large observational cohort study confirming green stool is common and not linked to poor health.

What the evidence says

Green poop is one of the most normal colors a baby's diaper can be. It usually comes from bile, a digestive fluid, and shows up more often in formula-fed babies, though breastfed babies get it too. A large study following over 1,000 healthy infants found that nearly half had green stool as the main color for at least a week sometime in their first four months, with no difference in weight gain or overall health compared to babies without green stool.

After the newborn period's dark green-black meconium clears, shades of yellow, brown, and green are all considered acceptable. Diet, formula type, and how fast food moves through the gut can all shift the color toward green.

The colors that actually need medical attention are red (possible blood), black (after the newborn period), and white/pale/gray (possible liver problem). If green stool is also watery, very frequent, or your baby seems unwell, unsettled, or is feeding poorly, check in with your doctor or health visitor just to be safe.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked July 27, 2026

Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and no doctor-patient relationship is created by using this. Founded Parent has not examined your child and does not know their history, so this may not apply to you. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. What Founded Parent cannot do

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