My Daughter was born on March 15th. She is exclusively breastfed and has had problems with jaundice since a couple of days after birth. She went back into the hospital last week for 24 hours of Bilirubin photo therapy and as a result her bilirubin levels dropped and we were able to come home. Since then her bilirubin levels had been rising again. She is gaining weight, eating and voiding like a "regular" baby. Her poops are mustard yellow and her urine is normal. Because her levels are still rising our Dr. has suggested that I stop breast feeding and give her formula for the next 48 hours. According to the Dr. there may be something in my breast milk that is not allowing her to get rid of the bilirubin and it is now just circulating in her gut. She (the Dr.) also stated that this is a common issue but the Lactation Specialist I spoke with stated that this is very rare.
I have had a lot of difficulty with breast feeding this time and am now relying on a nipple guard to help her latch on. At one point my breasts were so sore that I cried every time she would try to latch on - the nipple guard has been a life saver. Anyway, what I am trying to get at is that I am committed to breast feeding my child and I am worried about stopping for 48 hours. Has anyone had any experience with this type of jaundice and/or stopping and restarting breastfeeding?
I have no experience with jaundice but I do with bottle feeding for 48 hours. She wouldn't take breast again; however you can now use finger or cup feeding which was unheard of then. If you lactation consultant disagrees you may want a second opinion.
Seek a new pediatrition! That is CRAZY that they would suggest you formula feed your baby breast feed her as often as possible and if its a sunny day sit with her by a window that the sun is shining in. The more you feed her the faster the jaundice will go away. If you do take the advice and bottle feed make sure you are pumping on a regular basis so that your milk supply isnt compromized. My best friends baby girl was born early she had severe jaundice she looked like she had spent her time in the womb in Hawaii she was so tan looking.... Her mom fed her as much as she could put her by the window and even took a billyboard home so that her baby could still eat and have the light thereapy she made it through witout formula and I know you can too. Good luck and congratulations on your new baby girl!
My son was born last year on March 14. :) He was in the NICU for 19 days and for the first couple weeks he was too sick to nurse. So I pumped and pumped and pumped, and he was tube fed and we bottle fed him my breast milk. Nursing was just too exhausting. When he was finally well enough to nurse he did and we were able to nurse for the rest of his first year. So my point... you can do it. Try the formula for a couple days to see if it helps. Just pump, pump, pump to keep your milk supply up.
I had this problem, and tried a happy medium. The doctor in the NICU ordered bottle feeding, and I agreed, but I would do some bottle, some breastfeeding.
My son and daughter were jaundice, my daughter had it longer and I breastfed them both. They say that breastfed babies are more likely to get it and it lasts longer. My daughter had it for 4 weeks. The only thing my doctor told me was to put her in the sunlight as much as possible in her diaper. I had to take her every week for a bilirubin test,which was painful for her and for me to watch. So just as much as possible lay her in a bassinet in her diaper in the sunlight. Have faith and good luck!!
my daughter had jaundice in the hospital but i remember her having trouble feedin also so they gave me the nipple too (it is a blessing) when we were sent home i had to start school and the b.c that i am on limited my milk supply and in a month i was dry.
try to keep breastfeeding bc once the milk is gone it's gone and i miss it. try formula every now and then.
There is a condition called "Breastmilk Jaundice" similiar to what you doctor described... Here is a National Institute of Health article about it....
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000995.htm
I went through Jaundice with 2 of my children... some important things to note. Your baby is in danger if the levels are rising and begin to exceed 16 17 18 and up..... The BEST thing to do is take her off the breast and offer pumped breastmilk in a bottle or formula in a bottle. BUT you will HAVE to pump too at least 12 times every 24 hours with a hospital grade pump.... Medela Lactina's are the most popular rental pumps... I would recommend an Ameda Hollister though....
after 24-48 hours you should be able to return baby to breast and if you have to use a nipple shield that is OK. I breast fed 3 of my 4 children with a niple shield for up to 6 months.
Was your baby born early? my 3rd child was 4 weeks early. She would not latch. I tried everyday but I ended up pumping for her. she was also on a billi bed at our house for SEVEN days straight. Her billi counts too that long to get down. after she got off the bed she was fine though and at about 4 weeks of age, she magically latched onto the nipple shield and successfully breast fed for 3 months.
The MOST IMPORTANT THING when it comes to breastfeeding, your helath and happiness and babies health and happiness is that you are all happy healthy and stress free..... bab can sense that you are stressed about breastfeeding and it makes it harder for baby..... do whatever makes you all happy.
Right now your bay needs to expell bilirubin and take in lots of calories, whether from formula or breastmilk.
If you need a breastpump - I have a Medela Pump in style backpack breastpump that you can have for free.
Make sure you are drinking alot of water. I think if you think about your pregancy with this child you did not drink your water like you were suppose to. Alway when ever possible lay the baby in shinelight( by the window so the sun can shine on her.) If it is alright with the baby's Doctor Give the baby water between feeding.
I agree with Teresa and Jennifer. Keep breastfeeding (as much as baby will eat), and keep her in the sunshine, and find a new Dr if they want you to stop. You flush that jaundice out, so keep her nursing. Way to go, you're doing the right thing.
I have had 3 kids and they have all had jaundice and trouble breastfeeding. I learned that if the baby is not eating enough milk to get the hind milk, meaning the last part of the milk in the breast, then it will take longer for the jaundice to work its way out of the system. I pumped after I fed my babies because they wouldn't eat enough, then later I would feed the milk I had pumped. Pumping is also good to see the quality of your milk. Make sure you are getting enough protien and veggies in your diet. It will make a different in your milk fat.
Good Luck
How much water do you drink?
I didn't see if you said. remember you are drinking water for 2!! Every time you feed drink a glass of water. Hope that helps!
