Our son had to go under lights for two days in hospital.He came home yesterday.He's breastfed.He's still very sleepy.We get it hard to get him to feed.He feeds on and off for 14 minutes every 3 hours .Have you had a similar experience? How long will it take to clear up completly.The hospital said he'll be ok but we worry about him.does he need future tests to make sure it's completly cleared up?
2007-03-01 00:34:10 · 9 answers · asked by assertive5 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Apyleyden,The hospital told us everything would be ok.We were not given any follow up appointments to have him checked.Is this usual?
2007-03-01 00:53:54 · update #1
hi lady,
Facts About Jaundice
Most jaundice in newborn babies is a normal event and is not serious. In most cases, this jaundice will disappear after a few days, often without any special treatment. Also, once this type of jaundice disappears, there is no evidence that it will appear again or that it has any lasting effects on the baby.
What does the word "jaundice" mean?
Jaundice comes from the French word jaune, which means yellow. When it is said that a baby is jaundiced, it simply means that the color of his skin appears yellow. Jaundice in the infant appears first in the face and upper body and progresses downward toward the toes. Premature infants are more likely to develop jaundice than full-term babies.
What causes the skin to appear yellow?
The yellowish coloration is caused by an excess amount of bilirubin in the baby's skin. Bilirubin is a yellowish-red pigment. Normally, small amounts of bilirubin are found in everyone's blood. When too much bilirubin is made, the excess is dumped into the bloodstream and is deposited in tissues for temporary storage.
Why would a baby have excess bilirubin in his blood?
Bilirubin is formed and released into the bloodstream when red blood cells are broken down. Newborns have a high red blood cell volume; this increases the bilirubin load. The bilirubin is then carried to the liver where it is processed and eventually excreted from the body.
Commonly, neonatal jaundice occurs for two reasons:
1. Infants have too many red blood cells. It is a natural process for the baby's body to break down these excess red blood cells, forming a large amount of bilirubin. It is this bilirubin that causes the skin to take on a yellowish color.
2. A newborn's liver is immature and cannot process bilirubin as quickly as he will be able to when he gets older. This slow processing of bilirubin has nothing to do with liver disease. It merely means that the baby's liver is not as fully developed as it will be, and thus, there is some delay in eliminating the bilirubin.
Physiologic jaundice:
Most babies with jaundice have physiologic jaundice. This is the type of jaundice that is caused because of the natural process of breaking down red blood cells.
Other factors:
Occasionally there are other factors that cause jaundice in an infant. Two of these causes are conditions known as ABO Incompatibility and Rh Incompatibility. Both of these conditions result in a very fast breakdown of red blood cells. Also, jaundice may appear in infants with physical defects in the organs that work to eliminate bilirubin from the body. If the baby's jaundice is caused by either of these (or other) conditions, expect additional details from the doctor or nurse caring for the baby.
What happens when a newborn baby has jaundice?
Physiologic jaundice is usually seen around the second or third day of life. The nurse or doctor caring for the baby will notice it and may request a blood test. Based on the results of the test and based on the general condition of the baby, the doctor will decide whether treatment should be started. If no treatment is felt necessary, the jaundice will usually decrease after a week and disappear within two weeks. If treatment is required, commonly a Bililight is used. This treatment is also known as phototherapy. Another name for the light is a Bilirubin Reduction Light.
What is a Bililight and why is it used?
A Bililight consists of a series of fluorescent lights that are placed over the baby's bed. The light helps the baby to get rid of bilirubin found just beneath the surface of the skin. It does this by changing the structure of the bilirubin, thereby making it easier to be excreted by the liver.
How is the Bililight used? How long is it used?
The Bililight is placed over the baby's bed, which will be either an Isolette or a radiant warmer bed. The baby is undressed to provide maximum skin exposure; the baby's skin will not darken or burn under this light. The baby may be under the light for several days. Laboratory tests and physical appearance guide the doctor in his evaluation of the baby's progress. The light will be discontinued at the earliest possible time.
How is the baby cared for during phototherapy?
Masks are placed over the baby's eyes to prevent exposure to the bright light. The baby's position is changed frequently to assure that all areas of the baby's skin are exposed to light and also to assure the baby's comfort. The baby may be fed under the light or may be taken out for the feedings, according to the doctor's instructions.
How do babies tolerate the light?
Each baby is an individual and, thus, unique in his response to this treatment. Some babies are very fussy because they miss being wrapped tightly in their blankets. Other babies sleep very contentedly.
While under the light, the baby usually has frequent and loose bowel movements. In some circumstances, his stools are greenish in color. This is temporary and should stop when treatment is discontinued.
The medical staff at the hospital knows that you are concerned about your baby and realizes that having your baby underneath the lights limits your contact with the baby. Remember, this treatment lasts only a few days. In no time at all, you and your baby will be ready to go home.
LINKS
American Academy of Pediatrics, June 2004, Questions and Answers: Jaundice and Your Newborn.
American Academy of Pediatrics, July 2004, Management of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Newborn Infant 35 or More Weeks of Gestation.
Department of Neonatal Medicine at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, May 2003, Jaundice.
Dr. Moshe Ipp, Ontario Association of Pediatricians, Jaundice and Dehydration in the Early Discharged Healthy Term Newborn.
La Leche League International, January-February 1993, Learning About Jaundice.
Postgraduate Medicine, November 1999, Neonatal jaundice.
DR.JAGAN
2007-03-01 00:43:25 · answer #1 · answered by jaganp_dr 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son had very bad jaundice too. We went back to the hospital a week after he was born and were there for two days under the lights. It was hard to see him like that. It will get better very soon. I know its worse in breast fed babies. We did not have any follow up visits for the jaundice but his doctor asked a few questions at his regular checkup. My son is now 11 months old and I forgot what he was like till I look at pictures and see how yellow he really was.
2007-03-01 09:42:57 · answer #2 · answered by Carmen M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As it clears, you'll start to notice a change in his color. The doctors will probably notice it as well (right now you are on what, weekly visits or biweekly visits?--they'll check for this). I think we went to the doctor five times in the first few weeks.
You might also want to contact a lactation consultant to see if the breastfeeding is going properly. He might just need more food. They might give you some suggestions on how to improve his eating.
With our baby, we had a bit of weight loss with the jaundice, so the doctors said "breastfeeding is nice, but this guys needs more to eat" so we supplimented a bit with formula and went to the lactation folks. Th formula woke him up pretty quickly and I think helped with the jaundice. However, you have to be careful not to suppliment too much if you can interfere with his normal feeding schedule. You should contact both the doc and the breastfeeding clinics for more advice.
Good luck.
2007-03-01 08:44:34 · answer #3 · answered by apleyden 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure where you are at.. but if you are where the sun is shining and warm enough... keep him in the sunlight. I had to do that with my son. It cleared up about 2 to 3 wks. I would sit outside with him or open the window and sit in the window with him. I could not breastfeed with him, but I think it may last longer with breastfeeding.. but I am sure you'll have a check up soon and I do not recall any extra testing on my son. Good luck.
2007-03-01 08:55:48 · answer #4 · answered by luvthbaby2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son is now 10 months old and he had jaundice too. Don't worry babies are little bundles of instincts at your son's phase. He won't let himself starve.
It took my son about a month before I stop noticing any yellow tinge to his skin. My son was born back in April and I would set him in the morning sunshine (completely naked) for about an hour or two (7am to 9am). turn him every 15 minutes or so to prevent over over exposure.
Jaundice freaked me out too and my son was my second child. You are not alone.
2007-03-01 08:53:46 · answer #5 · answered by Mandy43110 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
our son had MILD jaundice at the same age but we only had to put him in the sun every day for a week or so, but i have heard of the light bulbs and no it shouldnt be long til hes clear of it. they will do another test to make sure hes godo and back to normal but then thats it. unless its a severe possible permanent thing he should be fine. especially since its very very common in infants and almost all cases are resolved permanently. i wouldnt worry.
2007-03-01 08:49:35 · answer #6 · answered by toolate 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my granddaughter was just awful at that age to feed.we changed her bottle to a wider nipple.and now she a little chub.lol. my first daughter had jaundice and it went a way.about feeding the baby really try different bottles.also there was a alert about bottles that release toxins these are the brands so try to get a brand not listed on here.Gerber,avent,Dr brown,evenflo,Playtex. good luck to you.also i have a few web sites on the dangers of vaccines if your interested please email me.
2007-03-01 09:33:23 · answer #7 · answered by luv babygurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to feed him more often...he is sleepy beacsue of the jaundice....feed this child every two hours during the day....strip him bare...except for his diaper, sit in a sunny window and feed him....when he starts to snooze...wake him up, you can apply a cold wet wash cloth to his feet...you can change his diaper...etc....but get him to eat more often...dont let him go more than 3 hours between feeds at night....when he stops looking so yellow...you will know he is over it!
2007-03-01 14:07:32 · answer #8 · answered by motherhendoulas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son didnt get ride of his until about 1month... he didnt poop much but when we solved that problem it cleared up his jaundice... my doctor told babies poop it out plus giving them breastmilk ,sunlight and a ounce or 2 of water a day helps....good luck
2007-03-01 08:55:56 · answer #9 · answered by Confused0320 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋