Dianne
<<became jaundiced, had their positioning/management improved, and went on to
do fine.  But as they were recovering from the jaundice they had one or
more *really* green stools.>>
Meconium has about 450 mg of biliruben in it that is why is that dark green
color and re absorption causes increased bili levels in the baby.  Hence the
jaundice that from poor feeding.
For the jaundiced baby most of the biliruben is eliminated through the stools
and they have a classic stooling pattern.  I tell moms that bili stools are
what we are looking for in the jaundiced baby and they are a good sign that
the bili is dropping.
Nurses describe bili  stools as looking like chopped spinach, dark green and a
little on the chunky side.  They are often very explosive as well.  Bili
stools are very irritating to the skin.  This is the only time I recommend A&D
ointment or petroleum jelly in the diaper area as a preventive measure.
Marie Davis, RN,IBCLC