My son 6 months old and has just gone onto cows milk as he wasn't taking his formula milk anymore. He has been on it for a couple of days and has a morning and evening bottle of 6oz's. He has started having trouble going to the toilet and when ichanged his nappy earlier there was spots of blood in his poo and his bum was bleeding. The poo wasn't that hard but was a very pale mustard colour! He is quite a happy baby and only cries when he is trying to go for a poo.Should I take him to the doctor?

Yes take him to the doctor if you are ever in doubt! Its better to have him checked out than it be something serious and not have it checked until it gets really bad!
If a baby is constipated or having loose stools specaily bloody ones its time to have him checked out, but it could just be his little belly not ajusting to the new kind of milk

Thank you, It might have something to do with the cows milk but when he's was on formula he was being sick and not drinking it.

I strongly urge you to take him to the doctor...

It may be something very simple or serious... no one on line can say what exactly is causing the bleeding...

I will be ringing them tomorrow or should I ring the hospital instead and get him checked tonight?

If there was a lot of blood I would see someone tonight...

What colour was the blood?

The bleeding has stopped now, but it was quite a bit. It a bright red colour, I have finally managed to get him to sleep I am just worrid, don't think ill get much sleep tonight

If its bright red its fresh,and he could be still bleeding,asleep or not I strongly advice you to take him to the doctor or e.r...

Maybe ring them first let them know your coming.

Thank you, I have just called NHS direct and they are getting a doctor to call me back asap. Ill keep you posted,

I would not at all question this over the internet. If I saw my baby bleeding in any way I would be in my car on the way to the emergency room. That's blood, from your baby. There should be no question. If he is crying when trying to go potty then its hurting him enough there is blood. Stop this and bring your baby in. Possibly there is an allergic reaction or worse.

Thank you, i have just called NHS direct and they are getting a doctor to call me back asap. ill keep you posted,

Keep us posted after your home and your baby is fine. Not until then.

I agree with everyone. Go to the doctor. Blood in the stool is an indication of gastric issues, constipation or some sort of an allergic reaction to the milk.

What causes blood in stool (poop, poo) in babies and toddlers (http://www.baby-medical-questions-and-answers.com/blood-in-stool.html)

I thought that your comments above were a little harsh, I had already spoken to a doctor on the phone, he advised me that it was urgent to bring him in and to wait till today which I did. He has been put on laxitive and cream to help his poo soften.

Thank you to everybody else expect the last post as feel this is slightly out of order

Glad everything is OK.. and yo udid the right thing getting him help straight away...

To be fair to the posts,sometimes people who post questions on a serious matter don't do anything at all,the post you think is harsh was just trying to give you a sense of urgency and I'm sure meant no offense...

Well done you!

I thought that ur comments above were alittle harsh, i had already spoken to a doctor on the phone, he advised me that it was urgent to bring him in and to wait till today which i did. He has been put on laxitive and cream to help his poo soften.

Thank you to everybody else expect the last post as feel this is slightly out of order

If he is on a laxative then he is constipated and it falls under the gastric catigory I guess, I didn't think it was out of order. I guess I am wrong :). I mentioned that it could be "one" of the "possibilities".

I provided a link in support of what I said?

:confused: Sorry

Hes not consipated as he is going everyday the are just really hard at least that's what the doctor said!! Don't worry just had a bit of a bad day. Thank you for saying sorry. x:D

Firstly, a 6 month old should not be on cow's milk. I disagree with your doctor. This can actually cause lactose intolerance. The digestive system of a 6 month old is not capable of digesting cow's milk.

If he is on a laxative, then he is constipated. If the poo is hard, he only needs a stool softener.

My question is was it you or the dr that said you should be giving him cows milk? A infant should not be given cows milk until year 1

Firstly, a 6 month old should not be on cow's milk. I disagree with your doctor. This can actually cause lactose intolerance. The digestive system of a 6 month old is not capable of digesting cow's milk.

If he is on a laxative, then he is constipated. If the poo is hard, he only needs a stool softener.
That's what I thought... I didn't think I was out of order or being overly harsh when I said that it could be gastric issues and/or constipation. I really want to help because I kind of went through something similar and I know how bad those days can get :(. Usually the doctors give a laxative when baby is constipated (or so I thought)... hard poo is considered constipation even though baby is still going regularly right?

From personal experience, my daughter could only take Simulac Iron Fortified after I stopped breast feeding (had some issues with it but I stuck it out as long as possible) and my son was lactose intolerant. I had to go under special formula once off the breast milk (which went on for 3 months... I was really sad when production slowed due to contraceptives) and I had to go on a guideline (not drinking cows milk or have dairy products) as per the pediatricians advice - I went to 3 different doctors until I found someone who could actually help and did. I went through other symptoms like gas, diarrhea (explosive) upset stomach, spitting up and colic. I also found Oval very helpful.

I didn't start my daughter on milk until she was over 12 months on Homo Milk or Whole Milk because their digestive systems aren't ready. Plus baby needs iron and other nutrients in the breast milk or formula for developmental reasons (which cows milk lacks) especially for the first year. When you introduce new foods (solids) you should try them out for at least a week before switching on something else... like one type of Stage 1 cereal for infants or solids like carrots and apples for a week. Not to mix it up different solids at once in case there is a reaction... allergic reaction - then you can identify what the baby is allergic to. If it's all good then bring in the mixed vegetables and fruits... after veggies and fruits I started slowly introducing the meats the same way... my son has no reaction to any solids. There is a really helpful guideline for this when you go to the clinic for vaccinations... there are so many pamphlets... I kept all mine and collected more... I think I have a small garbage bag of them now. For milk it should be 12 months for the child's age and even then try to introduce it slowly so it does not upset the babies stomach (small ounces at a time), if there is no reaction then do a bottle milk to a bottle of formula (smooth transition). After about 2 weeks then do the full switch if everything is good. I kind of do things by the procedures health professionals have provided me with and read recommend sources referenced/recommended by them. Still reading on other things now! It never stops :).

I really found the "What to Expect When Your Expecting", "What to Expect the First Year" and "What to Expect with Toddlers" really, really, really helpful and it answers a lot of FAQ's you might have along with plenty of really accurate information... what to do in almost every situation.

Here is a link for this book:

chapters.indigo.ca: What To Expect The First Year: Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee Hathaway: Books (http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/What-Expect-First-Year-Murkoff-Eisenberg-Hathaway/9780761129585-item.html?s_campaign=goo-NF-Fam-What_To_Expect_The_First_Year&s_kwcid=TC|5777|what%20to%20expect%20the%20first%2 0year||S||3735600092&gclid=CNy2l7fRg54CFRESawode1iFpg&pticket=zdrmzabjddndrzqa0omw302vvjgabQkntn7UfA4O%2 faFSl8WXUEo%3d)

Xox and I am sorry if I seem harsh again... it really isn't my intention - just letting you know hardships I went through too. Your not alone Mama... take care. Xox

My doctor said that this was OK, I was on cows milk at 6 months and so was my niece, what am I meant to do when when won't take formula milk? He only drinks about 1oz of it? So I tried him on cows milk and he drinks the whole bottle? A baby needs there milk right? Sorry this is my first baby and still learning.

There are follow on milk formulas that may not be as harsh as cows milk... you might need to sit down with a nurse and doctor and explain your position...

Babies are hard work,and it's a worrying time when there not in good form.

You really need to discuss this with your pediatrician. A baby's digestive tract cannot handle cows milk. There are other formula options out there.

Giving a baby cows milk before they are one year old can lead to quite a few problems including lactose intolerance and certain allergies.