Hi all,

Do you know if there is a number you can ring about your babies health?

Can you ring NHS Direct about a baby? Scarlett is 13 weeks today and has for the last 2 days been having jet black poo. I've looked into it on the net and it could be too much iron (she's on hypoallergenic formula that doesn't appear to have any added iron) or internal bleeding. I don't want to rush up to the childrens if I'm being stupid.

I'd rather speak to a Dr first then go up if they recommend it. She doesn't seem really ill, just a bit cranky but I think thats due to the change in her formula (she went on it on tues)

Any idea's?

Yes you can - Do whatever you think is best.

I rang NHS direct for my son some months ago, he's 6 but he was screaming in pain in the night. As I spoke to the doctor after he'd been at it for hours, he burped the biggest burp ever and went straight to sleep. The doctors didn't think I was wasting their time, that's what they are there for.

you can phone your doctors surgery or the hospital or a health visitor and get advice.

Hi all,

Do you know if there is a number you can ring about your babies health?

Can you ring NHS Direct about a baby? Scarlett is 13 weeks today and has for the last 2 days been having jet black poo. I've looked into it on the net and it could be too much iron (she's on hypoallergenic formula that doesn't appear to have any added iron) or internal bleeding. I don't want to rush up to the childrens if I'm being stupid.

I'd rather speak to a Dr first then go up if they recommend it. She doesn't seem really ill, just a bit cranky but I think thats due to the change in her formula (she went on it on tues)

Any idea's?


Ring your Doctors and have a word with the practice nurse, if she is concerned she will fit you in to see the Doctor, I hope your baby girl is OK, keep us informed

Ring your GP first. If it's getting on a bit, there's the GP collaborative at the Hallamshire, to which you will need to be referred...do this by ringing your GP's number and the answering machine will either give you another number to call or put you straight through.

NHS Direct will absolutely deal with babies, but the caveat is, they will generally send you to the hospital, as they will not take any chances.

Don't be afraid to speak to someone, no-one will mind, I promise!

i've phoned our GP's the receptionist is going to ask one of the Dr's to ring me. I'll let you know how we get on.

i've phoned our GP's the receptionist is going to ask one of the Dr's to ring me. I'll let you know how we get on.

Thats great, bet you feel a bit better nah

yeah I do although our receptionist is witch! she said are you giving her spinich? thats got a lot of iron it, it might be that. lol. She couldn't comprehend she's 13 weeks old and no spinich is in her diet!

Some receptionist think they are the "doctors" and give the practice a bad name,

yeah I do although our receptionist is witch! she said are you giving her spinich? thats got a lot of iron it, it might be that. lol. She couldn't comprehend she's 13 weeks old and no spinich is in her diet!

Did the Doctor get back to you?

I hope everything is okay anniec.

Let us know how she is Annie, feel as though I have missed loads due to not being at Jellys today, back Monday for definate.

We missed you :)

Hope all is well Annie, give us an update ASAP.

Hi all,

The Dr did ring us back and said he thinks she may have some internal bleeding to take her straight to the childrens. He said he's never heard of Neocate causing black stools and was 99.9% sure it was a coincidence that it's happened since the change over.

After waiting what felt like a million hours at the childrens I saw the boss of the gastroenteroligist that we saw on tuesday and she said she knew all about Scarlett as the Dr was talking about her and how sweet she was :), anyway, she said whilst very very rare the Neocate can cause black stools, she wanted to keep her in to see one of the nappies but as she only goes at tea time it'd be a long wait. So we were allowed home at midnight. She gave me a slip granting us "open access" to the childrens and her over the weekend and said if I'm at all concerned or just want them to have a look in her nappy tomorrow then just come straight back up.

She asked loads of questions and is really confident that there is no internal bleeding. So I'm feeling calmed now and can safely say the childrens hosp. is a fab place.

Thanks for all your concerns.

Anne and Scarlett xx

I'm really pleased all is well and I'm highly amused by the offer to investigate the nappy :D That's the funniest thing I've seen today, as a parent I applaud anyone who is willing to investigate a nappy.
Anyway, keep well, babies are such a worry to their parents but that's only because we love them and we're doing the right things and protecting them and looking after them.
Good job well done Annie, even if it worries you sick at times :)

Ah, hugs, annie, that must have been scary.
I've generally been pleased with the children's hospital...just the one time when they insisted cosycub stay until he pee, when i'd brought him in for dehydration partly because he wasn't peeing. Still, I've generally had excellent experiences there.

Firstly I'm glad things seem better.

The way I look at things is I don't care if the docs or hospital think I'm wasting thier time, I'll get babycamrat in at the first sign of anything!

I've got nothing but praise for the quality of care we've had from the Childrens Hospital. Sometimes I don't think we realise how lucky we are.

Glad everything turned out to be OK.

The children's are fab... we skip the Gp out of hours now and would always go striaght to the walk in at the children's if its not within our GP's opening hours. We've been with various infections and rashes and they're so thorough and specialist... def. one of the bonuses of living in Sheffield!!

Glad everything is well anniec.