Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

7 Month Old Baby Bleeding

by Michelle
(Prospect Peoria, IL)

I have a 7 month old baby girl. I was changing her diaper and I saw she was bleeding from the inside of the vagina! Could this be an infection or another problem?

Answer:

Vaginal bleeding in infants can be normal during the first few weeks of life. This is because the mother's hormone levels may still be circulating in the baby.

However, vaginal bleeding later in infancy is NOT normal (it's not normal in childhood either - not until she begins her periods in adolescence).

It could be indicative of an infection as you were thinking. It may also indicate a foreign body that's made its way into the vagina, or other medical complications.

I feel it's important that you take your daughter in to her doctor and have it checked out. It may be a simple infection that can be easily treated, but it's far better to have a professional opinion.

Stay with your little girl the entire time to be sure that the exam is gentle and respectful of her.

Changing diapers frequently and giving her "diaper free" time every day can help reduce the risk of bladder infection or other diaper-area infection.