<< Lactose does not vary from the beginning of a feed to the end of a feed. In
 the absence of true lactose intolerance (very rare) Green stools may be a
 result of rapid gut emptying from a strong MER or sometimes viral induced
 damage of the intestinal brush border and, as you say, are temporary and of
 no consequence.
 >>

But it is MY understanding that what IS important is that the higher fat
content of hindmilk will slow gut motility, and thus the rate at which the
lactose moves through the small intestine.

When it moves through more slowly, it is better digested and absorbed.  When
it moves through more quickly, more undigested lactose ends up in the large
intestine, where it draws water back INTO the stool, and normal bacteria
there can use it as fuel, producing "gas".  Also, the green color is bile
that doesn't have the chance to be reabsorbed because it moved through too
fast...whatever the reason.

Kathy Leeper, MD
(The Pediatrician in Lincoln, NE
working on opening up a Breastfeeding Support Center)

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