Grit/sand Texture in 4-Month Old's Poop?

Updated on February 17, 2011
H.A. asks from San Francisco, CA
5 answers

Hi there,

If you are past the poopy diaper phase or are easily grossed out, you might want to stop reading now...

My 4-month old has produced some black gritty sand like substance in his poopy diaper. It is the size of cracked pepper, but feels like sand. Have any of you seen something like that before? He did another poop immediately after that was watery and mucusy and a little frothy, poor guy! He's exclusively breast-fed and I'm with him all the time, so I don't think it's anything he could have put in his mouth. It started a tiny bit Saturday, but there was quite a bit more today. 

I wasn't able to reach his pediatrician today but I spoke to a back-up (I'll call the office again tomorrow). He said it was probably blood that resulted from the trauma of his birth. But that was 4 months ago! Sounds improbable to me.

If you've seen this before please let me know. Thanks!

Just want to add: it was just a tiny bit on Saturday and happened today for the second time. He's otherwise been just fine and happy.

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More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Topeka on

Black stools grainy or coffee grounds texture means something serious..

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would suggest taking him to the doc and get his opinion about this. I got worried when I saw my son's poop was green one day(he is my first, so it was new to M. ) .His doc told M. the only thing to be concerned about is if the poop is black in color or has blood in it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

DIDN"T the Doctor tell you to take him in?

Keep a diaper of his, for a sample.

Take him to the Doctor.
Or ER.

So for 4 days... he's had this weird poop?
I'd take him to the Doctor by now.

Black grainy poop, can mean a lot of things.
Usually, dried blood.
Then the question is, why or from where?

Take him to the Doctor.
For a proper diagnosis.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Kansas City on

If you don't get your answer her, I would contact Le Leche League- certainly someone there must have come across this before.

I also might add, is there a possibility that he is allergic to something you have eaten- and have your nipples been bleeding? Perhaps it is your blood? I would make an appt with the doctor, and get him in as soon as you can because of the mucous, but I wouldn't take him to the ER if he isn't having any other symptoms

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

This does sound odd, and black poop can be scary and I agree that it's strange he thinks it was from his birth 4 months ago. If it is only happening a little bit I would wait to hear from his pediatrician. If there is a lot of it, I might call an ask-a-nurse hotline to a local hospital. I suppose you could do that anyway just for peace of mind. Can you call his Dr.'s office and talk to a nurse there? I wouldn't panic or probably rush him to the ER just yet, but this is weird for sure.

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