Blood in the stools is an alarming sight, particularly when it affects your child. However, bloody stools are surprisingly common in babies and young children, and they don't necessarily warrant a panic-stricken trip to the emergency room, reports Ask Dr. Sears.com. Although you should consult your baby's pediatrician about bloody stools, knowing some of the more common causes of this occurrence may be comforting, and also may be useful in addressing the problem.
Cow's Milk Allergy
One of the most frequent causes of blood in a baby's stool is an allergy to dairy, specifically in the form of bovine protein, according to Breastfeeding.com. Cow's milk is not recommended as part of an infant's diet. Even if a baby has not been given cow's milk, it can be passed along through the milk of a breastfeeding mother. A nursing mother should avoid dietary cow's milk, reports Breastfeeding.com, along with beef, eggs, soy and other common infant allergens.
Constipation
Constipation is another common source of bloody stools in newborns, according to the website, "Baby Medical Questions and Answers." When your baby passes a particularly hard stool, this can cause a tear in your baby's anus, causing it to bleed. This phenomenon, also called anal fissure, usually is accompanied by other symptoms, such as straining or pain during defecation, reports UpToDate.com. The most effective way to address bleeding from anal fissure is to treat the constipation that causes it.
Infection
If your baby's symptoms take the form of bloody diarrhea, this may indicate an infection that needs to be addressed, notes Ask Dr. Sears.com. Bloody diarrhea is often caused by a viral infection, but may sometimes be linked to bacteria that can be treated through antibiotics. Dr. Sears advises that you probably won't need to contact your child's doctor on an emergency basis unless your baby's bloody diarrhea occurs every one to two hours. Other causes to seek emergency treatment are cases in which your baby's bloody diarrhea is accompanied by lethargy, pain or dehydration.
Upper G.I. Problems
When a baby's stool is black or tarry in appearance, this is usually related to bleeding that originated in the top half of the gut, and has been changed by stomach acids, reports "Baby Medical Questions And Answers." This black stool is often not related to a serious problem, and usually resolves within 24 hours. If this problem persists, your baby should be taken in to see her pediatrician.
