Would You Call the Doctor?

Hi E.,

I would contact the doctor, because black stools can be dried blood. If you are not changing anything in his diet and you can not account for this color change, I would call the doctor. Granted too much milk, cheese, and things that could constipate an individual could make the stool darker. Green makes me think of his veggies, but if he isn't changing anything in his diet, this could be something else, like bile, so I would call. Good luck.

Ali

Is the "texture" of the stool the same?? If it looks like coffee grounds in any way...that warrants a call to the doctor since it could indicate blood in his stools. Grape juice could be the culprit...if he has had that in excess lately. I would say that this at least earns a call to your pediatrician to check in with a real expert!!!
R. Ann

I agree with the Grape Juice comment, my kids would have green stools with the purple drinks.
Then call your doctors office or if you have an ask a nurse option with your insurance.

I know that stool color can change even with out a change in our solid food diet it can also change with what we drink.Has he ingested anything other than food?If it is black I would call the dr. just to be on the safe side but more than likely if he has no symptoms i'm sure he's fine.

Our daughter's is that way when she eats raisins or grapes.

I agree with the others, about texture, frequency, etc. But something to think about is sometimes in adults, when they are having problems with their gall bladder, the stool will get dark green/almost black and kind of tar-like, it could mean for some reason he has too much bile or acid in his system right now.

Did he eat anything blue?

It really is nothing to worry about. Just watch him for any other symptoms. If nothing else happens, the BM's should return to normal in a few days or less.

Hi E.! Has your son had regular bowel movements since posting? It could be iron reserves (little ones tend to collect iron in the liver, then release when they have too much)...which can cause dark or green poop. Frankly, I have a public health degree, I would go see the doctor, to ensure his iron count is on target and have a stool sample taken. There are all sorts of germs that can cause a change in color of poop, due to bile changes. I wouldn't be panicking, but do have it checked out for you peace of mind.

E.: If contacting your doctor will put your mind at ease, then by all means do it! I'm not sure about babies, but in adults green or dark green/blackish stools simply means a lot of iron in the diet. As a teenager I was anemic and had to take an iron supplement. It turned my stools green. Of course I panicked which in turn caused my Mom to panic and we called the doctor immediately. He told us to relax, it was just the iron supplement. If your child has been eating a lot of iron rich foods (dark green leafy vegetables, liver, children's vitamins, or the like) then that's probably the reason. I'm sure it won't hurt to call your doctor regardless.

Hi E., I would call the dr. just incase. That way you know for sure what's going on. I hope that everything turns out ok. God bless you and your family.

Call the doctor immediately-why fool around while your child might be ill.

Good Morning E., has he eaten alot of gr beans, peas, broccoli lately? or any type of dark leafy veggies? I know it sounds strange but what we eat sometimes changes stool color. If ya don't want to be really Scared Don't eat Red velvet cake... ;) *Laughing* Hubby came running out of the bathroom years ago, I am sick.. somethings wrong with me!! I asked what was wrong and he said he had red stool so he had to be bleeding. ( blood is black in stool and it floats)
I smiled I couldn't laugh cause he was so serious, I told him he was ok as I had the same thing. It was from the food coloring in the cake we had the day before! Dr. RedBirds Red Velvet cake.
You will poop red for days.
Zane is 23 months and his poop goes from yellow green, marbles, to orange, in a few days. Corbin 4 has multi colored in one movement.
If you are worried about it do call your Dr. They can check a stool sample, or put your mind at ease as it's ok..

Good Bless you E.
K. Nana of 5

a lot of times that can be caused by dyes in foods or juices. things like fruit flavored cereals or snacks or fruit punches that arent 100% juice can cause that because the dyes arent absorbed and then are excreted, so they stain poop and make it seem dark green or black. if he hasnt had anything like that, i still wouldnt worry too much unless he has diarrhea or something. even just having harder bowel movements means that they can be darker colored because they have been in there longer to absorb more fillers and stuff. as long as he is acting fine, i wouldnt worry too much!

L. C.
http://www.PerfectWorkForMoms.com