Loose Green Stools in Teething 13-Month-old

Updated on July 25, 2008
J.H. asks from Clermont, FL
13 answers

My daughter is cutting about five teeth right now and her stools have been changing rapidly. This morning I changed her diaper and it was this horrible green color. They've been really loose lately and I've seen green ones before, but I'm wondering if this warrents a call to the pediatrician. I HATE taking her in there because I'm afraid they'll tell me nothing's wrong, meanwhile she'll pick up some other illness while we're in the waiting room. Has this happened to anyone else and is it something I should be concerned about?

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So What Happened?

Thank you so much to everyone who responded. Your advice truly comforted me. Like most of you said I think it was a combination of diet and teething. Now that the teeth have come through all seems to be back to normal. I never called the pediatrician but I'll discuss it with her at our 15-month visit next month. Thanks again for the great advice....God Bless!

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P.E.

answers from Panama City on

GRAPE DRINKS CAUSE GREEN STOOLS, pEDIALITE OR CLEAR LIQUIDS TO STOP RUNNY STOOLS.sOME FOODS CAUS LOOSE STOOLS OTHER WILL HARDEN LOOK ON INTERNET

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S.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

Hi J.,
When my kids were little, the first time one of them had green stools I almost panicked! I called my pediatrician's office and spoke with the nurse and we deduced that it was from Kool-Aid or juice-blue I think, but I can't remember what color now. But I had to laugh the second time it happened. I mean, these stools were not just green, they were neon! It was funny (odd) and it passed (no pun intended). I would be concerned if it kept on. Then I would see the doctor.
Hang in there!
S. B.

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L.S.

answers from Gainesville on

My son is now two. He went through that all the time. Just be careful with what you feed her and give her binding foods and keep her hydrated.

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T.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

my daughter when through stool changes when she was teething too. One time it was bright green and looked like spinach. The doctor says that is normal. Unless she is showing other signs of illness I would not take her to the doctor.

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A.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

Loose BMs are part of the teething process. And as for the color well it could be just something she ate. Just keep an eye on that for now and if the BMs get looser and turn into diarrhea put her on a liquid diet for a few days. If she starts to run a fever you might want to have her checked out. Fevers are part of the teething too but could mean something else as well.
My son's BMs would turn green when he ate things with purple dyes in it or things like purple gatoraid and kool-aid.
Welcome to the fun world of teething. Hope some of this helps.

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A.D.

answers from Jacksonville on

I had the same concerns with my 16 month old last week. Have you given her anything new to eat lately? I had bought some new cereal for the kids to snack on and it turned out to be the culprit of the interesting green color from my son. Figured it's the dyes in it. As for the stools being loose, could be the teething, weird things sometimes go on during that time.. fevers and whatnot.

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T.S.

answers from Panama City on

Stools usually do change according to what she is eating and/or drinking. If there are no other issues, I wouldn't worry a bit.

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P.A.

answers from Pensacola on

Loose stools are very common in little ones, and green loose ones usually indicate a viral infection. Take her to the doctor if she is acting very sick, seems dehydrated, etc. Viral illnesses last 3 to 7 days so be patient. If it doesn't get better, then call and see if a visit to the doctor is needed. Teething should not cause sick-like stools or a fever, though low-grade fever is not unheard of...just depends on the child. In the meantime, feed her refridgerated applesause, white grape juice, rice/rice cereal, plain crackers, etc...a bland diet. Lots of water and TLC. Also, use an ointment to prevent a diaper rash because loose stools are usually very irritating.
Best wishes,
P.

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E.L.

answers from Tallahassee on

Hey, J.~ From what I've learned, nothing is unusual during teething. Obviously, be careful she doesn't dehidrate (sp?). My baby's Dr. and his nurses are good about easing my worries when I have them. Maybe just place a call to your pediatrician's nurse and just ask the nurse's opinion. We just went through a yeast infection and I got the answer as to how to proceed without having to go in. Good luck and I hope you have a good weekend!

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R.M.

answers from Daytona Beach on

You need to consider how long it has been going on. Is she having wet diaper at least one every 24 hours? Is she eating and drinking normaly? If so she may just have a virus and the isn't much the dr can do for her. Try giving her a brat diet B-Bread, R-Rice, A-Applesauce, T-Toast. This is what my ped always says to do about loose stools. Also pedialite, no juice or milk for a few days. The carrots and bananas diet always stopped my sons so that may be an option too. If there is fever then I would call and ask to speak with a nurse. They always tell me how long to expect the fever and loose stools. One of my sons had it for two weeks.
God Bless,
R.

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M.H.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

Hi J.,

Anytime there is a loose stool then a baby is losing too much water and they need hydrating. It may be because of the teething or like Mandy said just a little bug. Either way, make sure she is getting plenty of fluids and her electrolytes are balanced.

God bless!

M.

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M.R.

answers from Orlando on

Yes, you should take her to the doctor. I wouldn't worry about picking up anything in the office. Just wash your hands and hers as soon as you leave!

My daughter had that happen. She had bright green stool, it really freaked me out and kept happening. There is a bacterial infection or viral (can't remember which and I can't remember what it is called but it does exist!) that they can get that causes green stool. My daughter tested negative and the problem went away but it was weird. At least check it out!

Later I wondered if it was caused from these fruit chews she was eating. My husband got them at Costco and when I looked closely they had food coloring, so I never bought them again. It is always better to error on the cautious side with kids because you never know when something freaky can happen. Believe me I have had my share of "wasted" doctor's visits (I have 3 kids!) but I am always glad that I had them checked out anyway. Good Luck!

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M.H.

answers from Gainesville on

Generally, green stools mean that whatever she ate went through her system really quickly, before all the bile could be reabsorbed in the colon. Could be she has a virus irritating her tummy. I wouldn't take her to the doctor, but you might want to call them for advice. If they suspect it is viral, there is nothing they can do anyway, so will likely not make you bring her in. I would just let the virus run its course and make sure she gets plenty of fluids.

Also, anything with purple dye in it (grape Kool Aid is notorious for this) can make stools turn green. If she had any purple juice or posicles lately, that could be the culprit of the color, but the fact that they are also loose leads me to believe it might be an intestinal bug.

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