Help...Distended stomach/Green Poop

Updated on July 12, 2010
J.R. asks from Riverdale, NJ
9 answers

Jr got dropped off today, mom said he has been having green poop the past couple days. He cried to me that "dont feel well" and "tummy hurt, poop please". I sat him down to poop and it seems he is constipated, he passes a small green pebble poop. Dad and I also noticed that his stomach is hard (distended). He won't eat anything either. He is 2 1/2. We gave him V8 and Apple Juice to help him pass his stools easier. He has been home for about a half hour and he said that he felt better after the apple juice. Any ideas what this could be from? Should we take him to a Dr or can it wait til the morning and see if the symptoms are any better?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks. i kinda figured it might be constipation but i wasn't sure since it doesn't happen normally. mom said she couldn't get him to eat anything but pb&j and oatmeal all weekend and that his poop was green. i guess we'll wait to see if his bowl movements go back to normal after giving him clear liquids and making sure he eats more fruits this week. if it doesn't go away after a day or two though we'll go to the dr.

***day 2 his stomach wasn't distended anymore. since his diet (and preference) was limited to oatmeal and pb&j we didn't offer it for the week and by the end of day 2 he was eating whatever we gave him. by the morning on day 3 he was having normal BMs again and it was like nothing was wrong. we didnt have pear juice, but the apple juice seemed to work. thanks for all the advice. im glad it passed so quickly

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.S.

answers from Detroit on

I would take him to the ER; if he's in that much pain, and having that many problems, there could be something seriously wrong. Good luck!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.S.

answers from El Paso on

Sounds like normal constipation to me. My 21/2 yr old daughter gets constipated a lot because she does not eat fruits and vegetables like she should. Her poop is like small green or black pebbles and it makes her feel uncomfortable and she does not eat much. Cut his milk intake, dilute it with water. Give him plenty of liquids, pear juice works for my dd., and fruits like fresh plums , apricots, oranges, etc. These work well for my dd. As soon as he has a normal bowel movement he should be back to normal. If not, take him to his Dr.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.O.

answers from New York on

Give him pear juice, or if you think he will eat them prunes or prune juice. V8 is not a dieuretic at all and apple juice is a low grade dieuretic at best.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

PB8 works amazing for my kids and it's just a great probiotic. I open it up and dump whatever I think they need, into their mouths and some of my friends mix it in their kid's food.

Green poop is usually a food allergy/sensitivity, unless he ate something green.

D.K.

answers from Sioux City on

Sounds constipated to me. Try getting him to eat high fiber foods.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.S.

answers from New York on

Give him a warm bath - just look out though b/c the warm water usually gets things moving. The other thing to try would be a warm compress on his belly - we used to use a hot water bottle for my daughter. You can even try some warm water in a ziploc. We were just in the e/r w/my 6 yr old for constipation & they told us to give her mirilax - i would check w/ur dr first though - maybe try applesauce - or raisins/grapes. The e/r dr told us that a lot of it has to do w/the children not drinking enough water w/the heat & all. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

When was the last time he had a normal bowel movement. That is the first thing any one is going to ask. I feel like an expert on constipation. My son has gone as much as 9 days. I have done suppositories, enemas, laxatives -- you name it, I have done it -- my poor son.

First, the green isn't that big a deal, that can be cause by dye in something he ate. If it has been less than three days since his last normal poop, I'll be surprised if anyone thinks this is a big deal. Unless he has a fever and/or is in pain. Pain and fever can mean something serious. If he is in pain and/or fever take him to the ER.

However, one thing you may want to try is a bath with baking soda in it -- like 2 or 3 tablespoons. That will only work if it is close to coming out. If he is up for it your could do a glyserin suppository, that isn't really a drug, it just helps make it smooth to come out, but he isn't going to like it. If the poop is hard that will just make the hard stuff come out, which isn't great either. I would talk to a doctor, and see about getting something to make it softer. I could tell you what we use, but it woudl be better to talkto your doctor. If your real worried call the on call doctor and have the kid near the phone so they can hear him cry if he is. This is tough, but he'll get through it, and so will you. I hate it.

BTW -- Apple juice is good, but you want the opposite of the BRAT diet -- in other words avoid bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast. You want liquids to help soften it up -- "p" fruits, pears, plums, peachs are good. Also if he doesn't want to eat don't force him. As long as he is drinking, and popcicles count as fluid if they have enough of them, my son's gastroenterologist told me that.

Take him to the doctor tomorrow and good luck getting through the night.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.A.

answers from Binghamton on

Pear juice always worked for my son.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.P.

answers from Salt Lake City on

My daughter had constipation Dr. said Miralax softens the poop but doesn't "make" her go. She is 4. We give her 1/2 dose in the morning and it seems to work fine. Dr. sadi 1/2 dose in morning and night but if we do that she gets diarriha. Dr. also gave me a paper with things to try. Pears are especially helpful. A "dieuretic" rushes water through. You don't want that because that will not allow enough time for the moisture to be absorbed making the poop soft. I would get some recommendations from your pediatric dr.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions