Jaundice

lgleyze

My daughter is 6 days old today, and her bilirubin levels have risen from a 12.3 on Tuesday to a 16.5 today. They are checking them again on Thursday. I almost wish we could go tomorrow since it went up over 4 points in the two days. Anyone have any experience with jaundice? Hoping it doesn't increase to a scary level before we go back to the doctor!

jobiann

We were lucky and they kept us in the hospital until his numbers went down after he was born. The highest he got was 15.3. Were at 8.2 when we were released 6 days after he was born. He has been fine since, gaining lots of weight, perfect completion...overall a happy baby. 

SEWF

We had to go back to the hospital two days after leaving because his numbers shot up overnight. They put him in what my husband calls a tanning bed, and he had to stay in there almost continuously for 16 hours, except when we changed his diaper and fed him. He HATED it and cried almost the entire time, but he's all better now.

lbatchler

I would demand that they see him ASAP! If the levels get too high, it could lead to issues. We had the same problem when my son was five days old. Our doc was full because of the flu so we drove an hour to the other office. Thank god we did because his levels had increased by 5 points! We were only 3 points away for the potential to cause harm to our son. We drove home, packed the car and headed to the hospital. He had to lay in the " tanning bed" for 24 hours. Don't want to scare you but I wouldn't wait.  

lbatchler

I don't think they want the numbers to go above 25. Are you supplementing with formula or breast feeding. 

RissKay

Put LO in front of the window for some time during the day. The sunlight will help! 

jobiann

lbatchler:

I would demand that they see him ASAP! If the levels get too high, it could lead to issues. We had the same problem when my son was five days old. Our doc was full because of the flu so we drove an hour to the other office. Thank god we did because his levels had increased by 5 points! We were only 3 points away for the potential to cause harm to our son. We drove home, packed the car and headed to the hospital. He had to lay in the " tanning bed" for 24 hours. Don't want to scare you but I wouldn't wait.  

 I'm surprised they haven't done something already...they got pretty concerned once DS was over 10. He was under the lights for four days. 

laheath28

My son's levels got up to 19.9 and we were readmitted. He spent 48 hours under the lights, only coming out for feedings. It was hard but he got what he needed and is doing wonderfully now. Good luck

fignewt74

DS2 was 11 when we left the hospital, 17 the next day, and 19 two days later. The pedi wasnt too concerned because he is eating really well, and peeing and pooping a lot. But he did tell us that if it gets above 20 that he will need to go under the lights.
We got a call yesterday that he scored 18 so since the number went down, we are officially in the clear.
As long as the docs are monitoring you closely and you are following their advice, you will be just fine :

MrsRJC

kbruington:

My son had it so bad he had to sleep on a light bed at home and have a nurse come out to our house every day for a week. It was awful but he got over it. Hang in there! If you are worried CALL the doctor anytime.

we also had to do in home phototherapy.  Here are my suggestions:

1) if you don't have a nurse coming in everyday or every other day to check levels then you need to demand lab orders are submitted so you can take your LO in multiple times a week to have levels checked.  When they are little things can change very quickly and high billirubin can become very dangerous.

2) FEED FEED FEED. Try feeding your baby every hour if possible.  Bilirubin is excreted through bowel movements. So the more they eat the more they poop the faster the billirubin leaves their body. Dark, black poop means the billirubin is leaving. The darker the better!

3) even if your LO's levels go down one day insist that the baby stay under the lights for another 24-48 hours. It is very typical that their numbers will rebound once off lights and if their numbers didn't come down low enough to begin with they will shoot up high enough to require the lights again.  And trust me that is incredibly disappointing when all you want to do is snuggle with your new baby.

 4) finally, when the numbers do come down and phototherapy is stopped insist that your LO's levels are checked once a week for the next couple of weeks to check for rebounding.

 

I know this is scary but hang in there it won't last forever!