Experiences of jaundice and phototherapy?

[MrsButterfly]

We've seen a lactation nurse today who was incredibly helpful and enthusiastic to keep me bf. but during the hour we spent together it was clear that my boy isn't feeding enough due to increasing lethargy from the heat of the lights. This is then impacting on his jaundice. So have made the decision (rightly or wrongly) to express and this to be fed to my baby every three hours by tube. I'm hoping this will be a very short term requirement to just build his strength back up and get his Bili levels down. And I'm pleased he's still on my milk although it is disappointing to have to express and feed artificially.

Fingers crossed this makes the difference. He does look less yellow today in my opinion and has been more chilled out under the lights which has been easier for me to cope with.

Again thanks for all the experiences - its helped so much to know how usual an issue this is and that you've all coped through it.
X

 

[lozzy21]

Please keep BF as well as feeding fromthe tube. Expressing isent as good as estalishing your supply as direct feeding is. I made this mistake and it really affected our BF journey.

 

[MrsButterfly]

Please keep BF as well as feeding fromthe tube. Expressing isent as good as estalishing your supply as direct feeding is. I made this mistake and it really affected our BF journey.

Thanks for advice - will make sure that I do. He is still very keen to go on breast so should be easy enough to manage.

On plus side though the tube feeding seems to have really helped his hydration - lots more wet nappies x

 

[Angelz79]

My LO was readmitted 3 days after being released from the hospital at 5 days old for his bilirubin levels and I was devastated. They had me stay with him to nurse, but because he was so dehydrated and tired, he wasn't taking enough in to flush out the jaundice efficiently. I started expressing to top him up via bottle and when he was too sleepy to take the bottle, the nurses gave him my milk via feeding tube. The feeding tube wasn't that bad in my opinion as LO didn't notice it but got his full amount from it.

It is so hard to watch them just lie there so still under the lights, but by keeping them warm, it allows LO to save calories.

 

[MrsButterfly]

My LO was readmitted 3 days after being released from the hospital at 5 days old for his bilirubin levels and I was devastated. They had me stay with him to nurse, but because he was so dehydrated and tired, he wasn't taking enough in to flush out the jaundice efficiently. I started expressing to top him up via bottle and when he was too sleepy to take the bottle, the nurses gave him my milk via feeding tube. The feeding tube wasn't that bad in my opinion as LO didn't notice it but got his full amount from it.

It is so hard to watch them just lie there so still under the lights, but by keeping them warm, it allows LO to save calories.

Thanks for this - sounds exactly the same as situation I'm in. Tube is ok - its irritating his throat but is finally giving him the fluids he needs so that makes me happy. X

 

[waitingfor]

Big Hugs
My Lo was under the lights for 48 hrs and we came home at 5 days old. I got no support with BF and they told me I needed to give formula to help 'flush it out'. I Unfortunately listened to their 'advice' and really struggled with BF when we got home as LO couldn't latch well.

When I got out, I read that there is no scientific evidence that formula gets rid of jaundice quicker than BF

Also, if your LO scratches - make sure they put mitts on. We had bulit in mitts in the sleepsuit and by the time we came to see her in NICU, she had scratched all of her face as the nurses hadn't bothered putting mitts on her.

But it sounds like the staff at your hosp are much more supportive and helpful so hang in there - before you know it you will taking your beautiful baby home