Expert: ruth kraft - 2/27/2009

Question
My breast fed 2 month old's poop has went from bright yellow to a dark
greenish color and very smelly. He also poops less frequent. He is getting
over a cold( no medications) cold the cold be the reason?

Answer
its possible the cold could be changing it some. but its more likely that the less frequency and thickness is because he is 2 months old. it likely started when he was around 6 weeks being less and less frequent. the colostrum that was in the milk until 6 weeks works as a laxative, so after 6 weeks, it isn't there and the go less frequently, and of course its thicker and more smelly but not usually very foul. ( like it will be when you add solids to his diet )  because its greenish, you may try nursing only on one side. Sometimes babies who nurse not long enough on one side, the poop turns greenish, so if you nurse him on one side, and he comes off and you burp him etc, for that feeding, offer him the same side. for the NEXT feeding, offer him the other side, for that whole feeding. and see if that doesn't fix the problem. It likely will.

I hope that helped!
Ruth Kraft
www.honoringwomen.com