Blood in Poo

During your baby's first few months of life (0-3 months or newborn stage), you will probably notice different coloured poo in their nappy, including yellow, green and even streaks of blood. This may be frightening to see, but it is relatively common in babies and is usually not a sign of a serious problem.

Blood in Poo
& CMPA

Why does my baby have blood in their poo/stool?

Straining when passing a hard poo/stool, for example, can cause small tears in the area around the bottom, also called anal fissures, which can result in blood streaks in your baby’s nappy.

Could it be Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?

Blood loss or blood streaks in your baby’s nappy can result from irritation in the gut and can be associated with CMPA. However, babies with CMPA usually experience more than just one symptom and these symptoms can be very different from one baby to the next. Therefore it is always best to discuss it with your baby’s doctor/GP. They will look at the symptoms in detail and often use a symptom scoring system to decide if it is related to CMPA.

Keep a diary of when your baby feeds and of any symptoms that occur during or after feeding. Be sure to note down the time e.g., in minutes, hours or days, and when the symptom/s happened.

If your baby is breastfed, then mum should also record everything she is eating and drinking, as well as timings of symptoms after feeding. It’s a good idea to keep this diary for at least 1 week before seeing your doctor/GP.

What to Do Next?

If you are worried that your baby has symptoms related to cow's milk, you should seek advice from your doctor/GP. Whilst you are preparing to visit your doctor/GP, it can be a good idea to record your baby's symptoms over a few days.