Hi moms, sorry for the poopie question but here goes. My son just turned 9 months yesterday and has had a few black poops with an almost powdery substance with it in the diaper. His doc said the only poop to worry about is black poop, not very dark, hard or loose poop, only black poop. I really think it was black so I am scared. I read that it could be intestinal bleeding or else high iron. I have been keeping a close eye on the baby and he has had several other color/textured poops since. He did have a fever a couple days but I thought it was from teething, though it could have been that stupid summer virus or other bug. He is mostly acting normally except when his teeth hurt him. He gets clingy and crabby and sleepy here and there but is generally a happy playful kid. He has been crawling and trying to pull himself up, eating well, sleeping terribly (but we all know that happens) so I know he is growing, teething and gassy here and there. SO, should I run to the doc or do you think he is ok? I really hate getting worried so I thought you could help ease my mind. Thanks!
The black poop is gone, it must have been the iron in his diet. I was giving himm cereal twice a day and I think that is what did it. The iron built up from the cereal and the other foods he ate. His poop is perfect again and we are feeling much better. Thank you mommies! Now on to the next question...on sleeping habits coming soon.
Hi E.,
I daugther had the same problem. I found when she had a 8 oz. of water through out the day it was easier for her to go.
Hi!
I would save one of his black poopies in a bag and bring it to the dr. with you. They can analyze it for you. Good Luck!
How funny,
LOL
MOM he's fine, it was probably something he ate,
one or 2 black poos here or there would be normal, its consistent black poops,
more than likely it was something he ate,
M
Hi E.,
Has your son eaten anything new or started any new medications? I remember the first time my daughter tried bananas I was frightened by all the little black "strings" in her poop. Blueberries might turn the poop a dark color.
Good luck!
Is your son eating a lot of blueberries? When my son eats a lot of blueberries, his poop looks black. But it's pretty loose. Maybe see what you're feeding him. If his eating habits haven't changed, then I would take him to the doc.
be on the safe side...go to the doctor
Hi E. -
I looked some things up - these are the things that would have kept me up at night when my dgtr was 9 mos old too!!!
I found this on one site:
***Black poop
Black poop can be seen from iron supplementation. If your baby is taking an iron supplement or is on iron-fortified formula, he may have black or dark colored stools. Black stools, on the other hand, can also be of intestinal bleeding. If your baby has black tarry looking stools you should call your pediatrician. (from justmommies.com)***
One other site also described the poop when there is an intestinal bleed as "black, tarry stool", which differed from just 'black stool'.
So - it seems that black stool could be from iron or diet changes. Have you just gone from breast to formula? I know you are adding more solids into the diet - that will change things also. If it is an intestinal bleed - chances are - you wouldn't see other colors of poop since - the bleed would continue and so would black tarry stools. Was he constipated before that? It may have just looked darker b/c of that. What color is the powdery substance?
If he seems happy - and not in pain and his poops are well formed - it may just be another lovely color to look at when you change his diaper! It seems though that blood in the stool would make it look more like the meconium when he was first born - but that is my inference on black, tarry stools as they describe them both the same way.
Hope everything is fine - but if you are worried - call the doc!
Please take your precious baby to the doctor. You are obviously concerned, as any good, attentive parent would be...ease your mind by having him checked out. All the wonderful mommies in the world cannot possibly tell you your little boy is fine, unless one of those moms happens to be your pediatrician.
E., it's true that one of the common reasons for a person, whether chid or adult, to have black bowel movements is internal bleeding. There are other causes too. But wasing time on the internet isn't going to tell you what the cause of your son's black bowel movements is. I am going to come down hard on you here, as a mom of 13 years. When there could be a serious health concern with your child, you call your healthcare provider, you don't turn to an internet group who can't tell you what's wrong with your child and can't help him. If it is internal bleeding, heaven forbid, you have wasted precious time. Internal bleeding is not a minor issue, it can be fatal if not attended to very quickly. Not calling your doctor because you are afraid is not going to make your son better, but if it is internal bleeding not getting him to medical care could have extremely serious consequences. In the time that you've spent waiting for responses, your son has been denied medical care. I sincerely hope that the change in bowel movement was caused perhaps by something dietary, change in vitamins, etc and that there is no medical cause, and that no harm has come to him. Good luck.
Well, At the very least give them a call, but I would go in.
I say,,your son is only 9 months old, there is no shame in going to your Pedi' to check on something like that. They are there for you! A simple test will give the answer you need so why not. You're not a worry wart, You are genuinely concerned, so it's better to be safe don't ya think? :) when my son was little, I thought I saw a couple black myself.. but it turned out to be really dark brown and usually a reflection of a new food.
Ask yourself how often it happens? is one black one then a bunch of normal? etc.. and if it's been going on a while I'd bring him in. if it's only 3 times and theres a bunch of normal looking stools too, then maybe i'd call to fill them in and see if they think it merits a visit.
good luck
honestly, i always get a second opinion when i am not satisifed that the physician has looked closely enough at the problem (in my own healthcare, as well as the kids'), or if i just have a hunch that there is more to the story. if for no other reason than to put your own mind at ease. so before you assume that this is your own worry, get a second opinion. can't hurt. let us know the outcome! best, B.
Call your doctor right away! If it is a serious problem it could be life threatening.
if would rather take my kid to the dr for themto tell he is fine than to worry like this! that is what health isurance is for! i have taken my kids in knowing deep down they were fine but i wanted it confirmed!
so make the appt go and put your mind at ease!
hi E., i would call the doc. i call over every freakin thing, and they never make me feel stupid, its one of the reasons i love them. believe me, you are going to have a million questions over the years, if your doc ever makes you feel bad for calling or coming in, you might as well get a new doc now. as of now, i am probably going to bring in my baby for what is probably a mosquito bite, but i just dont like the way it looks or feels, its just big and nasty and not quite like a mosquito bite. and im sure they (hopefully) will tell me its a mosquito bite and send me home, and thats just fine with me, peace of mind for a $20 co-pay! its always something. they know that. and just because you are calling and/or going in doesnt mean you are a worrier. you're just not a doctor :)
I am not a poop expert but if you're concerned enough to ask for advice here, maybe you should call the Doc that knows your baby and get yourself some medical advice. What would it hurt and you would at least gain some peace of mind.
Good luck!
E.
PS. If you have a Doc that's impatient with your concerns and makes you feel like an over reactive Mom then maybe you could find a new one.
usually at this age their poop color and texture reflects what they eat. but if he continues to do black poop then bring his diaper to the doc, he'll analyse it. hope it nothing to worry about.
Think of what he's been eating. Any blueberries or dark foods? It could just be his diet.
Do you trust your doctor?
If you do, then listen to the doctor and call the office. If you don't, then call the office anyway (just in case) and then find a doctor you can trust.
Black poop could be many things, including intestinal bleeding. Don't guess. Follow your doctor's advice and call.
