That's it - I'm gonna kick jaundice supplementing into next week

At1stsight

I'm so freakin sick of hearing this on this board. I'm going to gather all the relevant medical facts and post here and on all the tri boards to educate moms so they don't get pushed around by incompetent and unsupportive doctors. (DH is a pedi, so it'll be serious, legit information about how common hyperbili is, what levels really require intervention/treatment, and when it's good to keep bfing).

I'll be back hopefully within the day.

ncbelle

The_Spanish_Inquisition

Good news!

I always cringe when I hear people say their pedi said they have no choice but to supplement because their baby is jaundiced. A good portion of the time it's totally unecessary, and destroys a breastfeeding relationship before it even has a chance to get off the ground.

My DS was severely jaundiced (levels in the low 20's), and I was specifically told NOT to supplement, that it wasn't necessary, and his levels would come back down with normal breastfeeding and some light treatments. And they did.

MelodyMoonstone

we supplemented using ebm...  not sure why thats not a more pushed option.

The_Spanish_Inquisition

MelodyMoonstone:

we supplemented using ebm...  not sure why thats not a more pushed option.

I hate to have to suspect this, but it makes me wonder if some pediatricians aren't getting kickbacks from formula companies. Like vets do for recommending a certain types of pet food.

deltagirl79

WooHoo! Go you! DS had jaundice pretty bad, they kept poking the poor little guy to check his levels, but thankfully we were never told to supplement. They, the home care nurses & pedi, encouraged me to BF more and said that once my milk was in that would help, which it did. It makes me so sad to see on here so often that moms are told to supplement with formula.

BethD76

Yes mine too. The pedi didn't say aything about supplementing. we went back to the hospital for light therapy. He also spent three days at home with a smaller light bed.

He has been EB since day one.

qtpa2t

MelodyMoonstone:

we supplemented using ebm...  not sure why thats not a more pushed option.

I wouldn't have been able to supplement with ebm.  My milk wasn't in when my LO was jaundiced. My pedi didn't suggest replacing BFing.  They suggested supplementing BFing with formula - 1-2 tsps.  Are you suggesting not feeding at all?

madhatter2003

I think it depends on how the info is presented. SO many moms are just told to supplement, without given further info on continuing to pump, using a cup/spoon over a bottle, etc.

It also depends on the levels of course, but I do agree it seems many are told formula and nothing else. I was told to nurse in front of sunlight for example, that is NEVER mentioned on here but it worked for us for both kids, even in January!

MrsGhappilyeverafter

The_Spanish_Inquisition:

MelodyMoonstone:

we supplemented using ebm...  not sure why thats not a more pushed option.

I hate to have to suspect this, but it makes me wonder if some pediatricians aren't getting kickbacks from formula companies. Like vets do for recommending a certain types of pet food.

I think that's certainly a possibility, unfortunately.

car_ramrod

The_Spanish_Inquisition:

Good news!

I always cringe when I hear people say their pedi said they have no choice but to supplement because their baby is jaundiced. A good portion of the time it's totally unecessary, and destroys a breastfeeding relationship before it even has a chance to get off the ground.

My DS was severely jaundiced (levels in the low 20's), and I was specifically told NOT to supplement, that it wasn't necessary, and his levels would come back down with normal breastfeeding and some light treatments. And they did.

Ditto PP.  My pedi was 100% behind me not supplementing and just breastfeeding frequently.  She said that as long as he was peeing and pooping enough and had the light treatments there is no reason to supplement.  She said a lot of doctors just too fast to that when it isn't necessary.

dusk42

We didn't have to deal with jaundice, but my pedi and the LCs at the hospital just pushed constant nursing with everyone (who was BFing) and said it would help with jaundice.  The LC at our pedi had to do cup feeding with her granddaughter (we are friends with her daughter) because our friend had a C-section and her milk was delayed, so I know they would do that (or an SNS) for jaundice as well if absolutely necessary.

ejgballerina