Black Poop

Hi Everyone,

I know that black poop is a sign of high iron content. However, I have not changed DD's formula and she has just done a poo with black streaks (kinda looked like licorice ;)). She is on solids but all she has had is farex (not for over a week now though), pumpkin (same as farex), apple (last night) and apple and custard (yesterday morning). Any ideas? Is this normal?

TIA

MG

possibly just a change in diet. If solids are reasonably new it could still be her body adjusting

If it happens again i would get it checked out by a dr (actually take the dirty nappy in) I know that in animals black poo can be a sign of blood in it but i'm not a doctor so please dont take me for gospel. I would just see how she seems within herself and as i said, if you notice it again get it checked out!

Good luck with it, im sure it will be fine though

Not had any banana at all? The banana seeds look like black streaks or worms. Could just be a variation in colour due to what her body is doing with the food (better digested the pumpkin than the custard, hence colour change). If she seems otherwise well i wouldn't be concerned.

Bec

I agree with Cindy - Black streaks can actually be blood and it is best to take the nappy in to the Doctor to have it checked.

Has the Farex got extra iron in it? perhaps it's that?

Good point Bec. Yes, those first banana poos are scary. I know heaps of people who have rushed bub straight to the MCHN or doc when they see it. If she's had banana that's what it will be.

I took Annika to the doctor once when she had a black poop. Turned out to be nothing, and just a result of her diet. It's only meant to be a true cause for concern if the whole stool is black. Before I showed the doctor the nappy, he said it could be intestional bleeding and he might have to run some blood tests. Hope this helps!

Hmmmmmm, thanks girls. She hasn't had any banana at all. The Farex she hasn't had for AGES (because she hates the stuff). She has been sick for about 3 weeks and seems to FINALLY be kicking it (touch wood!) and has had demazin, panadol and neurophen for it. The poo happened about 24hrs after her last dose of any of those meds. She is otherwise well - although possibly teething. About 10 minutes after the black poo she did another poo which was her normal green and mustard colour.
The poo in question only had intermittent thick strips of black which was very dark - not what I would expect for dried blood. I guess I will just watch the next few and see what happens... maybe it was a once off...

Thanks again girls!

MG

MG - if the bleeding occurs higher in the intestinal tract/stomach, it turns it black when it goes through the digestion process. Whenever Aidyn has big nosebleeds he has very dark black tarry poos from all the blood he has swallowed.
The only other thing I can think of that hasn't been suggested, is that Nurofen 'can' cause intestinal bleeding (would be rare though) as it is apparently quite harsh on the stomach, which is why it needs to be taken with food. However that sounds pretty extreme and I doubt it is that! Probably much more likely to be diet related.

However if it was only a once off in Abbey's nappy I wouldn't be too concerned... just keep an eye out, as I know you are doing!