The color of a child’s poop can indicate a lot about their health and nutrition. Poop that is black or very dark can be alarming for parents. However, in most cases, black poop is harmless and temporary. There are a few potential causes of black poop in children, ranging from diet to medication side effects. Understanding the common reasons for this change in stool color can help parents determine if it’s a cause for concern.
What Causes Black Poop in Children?
Here are some of the most common causes of black or very dark stool in children:
Iron Supplements
Iron supplements or multivitamins containing iron are a very common cause of black poop in kids. Iron can make poop appear black or dark green. This side effect of iron is harmless. If your child starts taking an iron supplement, expect to see a change in their poop color.
Bismuth Medications
Bismuth medications like Pepto Bismol contain bismuth subsalicylate. This active ingredient can turn poop black. If your child takes Pepto Bismol or a similar bismuth medication, black poop is an expected side effect.
Blueberries
Eating lots of blueberries or blueberry flavored products can temporarily cause black specks or stools. Blueberry skin contains a dark pigment that can pass through the digestive tract intact and appear black in the stool.
Spinach and Other Greens
Leafy greens like spinach contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that can make stool appear greenish-black. Eating large amounts of spinach, kale, collard greens or similar veggies could temporarily cause blackish poop. This side effect is harmless.
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is sometimes used to treat gas, diarrhea or poisoning. It can turn poop black or grey. If your child takes activated charcoal as a medication, expect to see very dark stool.
Bleeding in the Upper Digestive Tract
In rare cases, black stool indicates bleeding somewhere in the upper digestive tract. Possible causes include:
- Ulcers
- Injury from swallowing a foreign object
- Food allergies
- Infection
Bleeding causes poop to appear black and tarry because the blood is digested as it passes through the intestines. This requires evaluation by a doctor.
When to See a Doctor
Black poop due to diet, supplements or medications is not a cause for concern. However, black stool can occasionally signal bleeding. See a doctor if your child has black poop along with any of these symptoms:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Generally ill appearance
- Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
These can indicate bleeding in the upper GI tract that needs medical attention.
Also see a doctor if your child has black poop with no obvious cause like new medications or blueberries. Unexplained black stool with no other symptoms may warrant evaluation to check for sources of bleeding.
When Black Poop Is Normal
In most cases, black poop is harmless in children. Here are some examples of normal causes:
- Started taking an iron supplement or multivitamin containing iron
- Ate black licorice
- Drank activated charcoal for an upset stomach
- Took Pepto Bismol for nausea or diarrhea
- Ate a large amount of blueberries, spinach or other pigmented foods
As long as your child feels well otherwise, black poop from diet or medications is not worrisome. Make sure to mention it at your child’s next doctor’s visit, however.
How Long Does Black Poop Last?
If the black poop is caused by food or supplements, it should go back to normal within a day or two after stopping the culprit. For example, blueberry-induced black stool usually lasts only 24-48 hours.
With iron supplements, black poop may persist as long as your child keeps taking the iron. Once they stop the supplement, color should return to normal within a few days.
If Pepto Bismol or activated charcoal caused the black color, it should subside within 1-3 days after discontinuing the medication.
Black poop lasting longer than 3 days with no explanation warrants a call to your pediatrician to determine if any evaluation is needed.
Tips for Preventing Black Poop
While harmless black poop doesn’t need to be prevented, you can minimize occurrences through a few measures:
- Introduce new foods one at a time to detect food reactions
- Read labels to avoid multiple products with black food coloring
- Limit blueberries and dark leafy greens if poop turns black
- Choose a multivitamin without iron if your child gets black stool from iron
- Avoid giving Pepto Bismol unless your child has diarrhea or vomiting
If black poop happens due to a new medication, food or supplement, simply make a note of it without worry. But if it seems to happen often, discuss options with your child’s doctor.
When to Contact the Doctor
Consult your pediatrician if:
- Your child has black poop lasting over 3 days
- There is no clear dietary cause for the change in stool color
- Your child has abdominal pain, vomiting, fever or other concerning symptoms along with black stool
- The black poop is accompanied by diarrhea or bloody stools
Though likely harmless, black poop with no known cause needs evaluation to rule out bleeding. Call right away if additional symptoms like pain or vomiting accompany the black stool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my toddler’s poop suddenly black?
Sudden black poop in toddlers usually has a harmless cause like Pepto Bismol or blueberries. Iron supplements can also turn a toddler’s poop black. Check whether they started any new medications, vitamins or foods. Call your pediatrician if the change lasts over 3 days or happens with other symptoms.
What does pitch black poop mean?
Pitch black poop is often caused by iron supplements, Pepto Bismol or activated charcoal. Eating blueberries or spinach can also make poop look black. If your child recently started any of these, pitch black poop is likely harmless. But call your pediatrician if it lasts over 3 days or happens with vomiting, diarrhea or pain.
Can bananas make a toddler’s poop black?
Bananas do not typically cause black poop in toddlers. Bananas are low in pigment, so they are unlikely to change stool color. However, if bananas are mixed with a dark blue or purple food, the combo could temporarily make your toddler’s poop appear black until the food passes through their system.
Is black poop immediately concerning?
Black poop is not immediately concerning on its own. Many harmless causes like iron supplements and black foods can make poop look black temporarily. However, contact your doctor if the black poop lasts over 3 days, happens often, or occurs with vomiting, diarrhea or pain. Those scenarios raise concern for bleeding and need evaluation.
Should I go to urgent care for my child’s black stool?
In most cases, black poop does not require urgent care. As long as your child has no accompanying symptoms like vomiting or pain, it can wait to be evaluated at your pediatrician’s office. Go to urgent care only if your child has very dark poop along with severe pain, bloody diarrhea, high fever or other worrying symptoms, as those scenarios may require rapid testing for bleeding.
The Bottom Line
While alarming at first glance, black poop is seldom a cause for major concern in children. Ingesting substances like iron, blueberries or Pepto Bismol often cause harmless black poop. However, notify your pediatrician if your child has black stool lasting over 3 days or accompanied by other symptoms. With a few precautions, black poop is usually a temporary and benign phenomenon.