I have a four month old child that has been passing black tar like stool for over a week now.?She has a bowel movement about every 12-15 hours but they are black. Up until she was 2 months old , she screamed everytime she had a bowel movement. She was on prosobe at the time. Her pediatrician switched her to Nutramigen and the problem stopped immediately. She is taking 5-6 ounces every 4 hours or so with 1-2 teaspoons of cereal. She has been on cereal since 3 months old. The black stool start a little over a week ago and has persisted. She is cranky alot but has not run any sort of fever at all. She is not vomiting. There are no signs or sickness other than the black stool. I keep reading about something called Melena, which is upper digestive tract bleeding. All the sources state to take to the emergency room, yet I want to make sure before I do. If anyone has experienced this or has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate the help. Thanks.
Posted by Kathryn L
Black stools often accompanied by constipation
This is the result of iron supplementation. Iron fortified infant foods and infant vitamins can cause constipation. A healthy breastfed baby does not need iron supplementation. The iron in breastmilk is much more bioavailable than any other form.
Posted by Amber E
You have let this continue for a week? The tarry stools are bloody!!!! That's a SERIOUS sign that something is wrong! If you don't take her to the ER at least call your doctor. I hope your little one is ok.
Posted by Jenn
Sometimes an iron suppliment might cause this. If the formula your are feeding has a lot of iron and same with the baby food maybe it is too much for her. I would call her dr and talk them about what you are seeing and they will tell you what to do. Most have someone to call over the weekend. This would be best for your daughter and then maybe monday you could take her in and they could check her. Best wishes
Posted by Boy #4 due in July! ;-)
Yes, take her or at least call the Dr on call. Black stool can mean blood and should be taken seriously, the tar constancy can mean digestive problems.
Posted by sns1985
stop with the cereal for a few days and try feeding her prunes. step 1 gerber prunes and that will help her out a lot. also sweet potatoes. we started feeding my son cereal at 4 months but if her poop is like that she needs something different with her diet. you can get some prune juice even. 1oz of water and 1oz of prune juice. My son's ped recommended hat with his 4th month checkup b/c he always is constipated and it helped wonders and now feeding him more fruits and veggies and he is going 2-3 times a day now. Yay!!! lol
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