All of my babies had jaundice as a newborn, but my first 3 kids didn't have levels high enough to require lights. My poor little Jack did though, and he had to endure almost 3 full days in this little tanning bed last week. Not only did it break my heart to have to put this blindfold on him and only get to hold him during feedings, but Jack needed constant supervision 24/7. This meant that Chad and I were on rotating 3 hour shifts during the night. One would sleep, one would keep watch for 3 hours, and then we would switch. The lights did take his jaundice down a little bit, but not low enough. We were able to get him out of the lights, but still had to get his blood drawn every couple days. This last weekend his levels went up and Jack's Dr. ordered me to stop breastfeeding him and switch to formula. After giving Jack formula for 2 days, we went back into the lab again and got his blood tested. Sure enough, his levels dropped, and the Dr. was right. Jack's jaundice was being caused by an enzyme in my breast milk... weird, no? Apparently this is a common
occurrence and once the jaundice level has gone down far enough it will not go back up. Thankfully the Dr. gave me the green light to resume breast feeding and Jack will not be going back to the lab to get his heel pricked anytime soon.
All of my babies had jaundice as a newborn, but my first 3 kids didn't have levels high enough to require lights. My poor little Jack did though, and he had to endure almost 3 full days in this little tanning bed last week. Not only did it break my heart to have to put this blindfold on him and only get to hold him during feedings, but Jack needed constant supervision 24/7. This meant that Chad and I were on rotating 3 hour shifts during the night. One would sleep, one would keep watch for 3 hours, and then we would switch. The lights did take his jaundice down a little bit, but not low enough. We were able to get him out of the lights, but still had to get his blood drawn every couple days. This last weekend his levels went up and Jack's Dr. ordered me to stop breastfeeding him and switch to formula. After giving Jack formula for 2 days, we went back into the lab again and got his blood tested. Sure enough, his levels dropped, and the Dr. was right. Jack's jaundice was being caused by an enzyme in my breast milk... weird, no? Apparently this is a common occurrence and once the jaundice level has gone down far enough it will not go back up. Thankfully the Dr. gave me the green light to resume breast feeding and Jack will not be going back to the lab to get his heel pricked anytime soon. 
3 comments:
That really stinks but I am glad that all is well now. He sure is a cutie! Good luck with everything, let me know if I can help.
Oh goodness he is cute! But man that's crazy! And so hard to not be able to hold him and have to blind fold him. And I hate it when they have to prick them! It's awful! I was up at 3:00 a.m. a few nights/mornings ago and looked out and saw your light on. It made me feel better I wasn't the only one going through this, little did I know how much you were going through. Let me know if you need anything!! Did the ward bring dinners?
Awwww sad :( Glad things to be looking better. Snuggle him lots and lots now to make up for those few days under the lights.
Post a Comment