At her PD check when she was 4 days old, she had her heel pricked for testing. I was devastated that the reading showed that her jaundice levels were high enough for her to be warded. My tears just flowed at the clinic, and continued to flow as we did the necessary to admit her back to the hospital, and flowed still when I went home to pack stuff to take to the hospital. I felt so sorry for my baby, and blamed myself for not producing enough breast milk to help wash the bilirubin out of her system.
I decided to stay in the ward as a lodger so that I could continue to see her for a few times in the day, and to breastfeed her. The PD however prescribed formula feeds as a top-up, and this was offered to Bubbles after each breastfeeding session.
I am so thankful that she did not reject latching on after being bottle-fed, which was one of the things I was concerned about.
This is my poor baby looking a bit stunned after her 1st phototherapy session. She was asleep when we warded her, so it must have been shocking for her to suddenly find herself in a different and probably uncomfortable environment.
She's better now and more smiley. Jaundice is not completely gone yet, but she should get better everyday.
16 comments:
Sigh babe, this was one of my most heartbreaking moments as a newly minted mommy too. I cried buckets, despite knowing it's common and she'll be fine. The thought of her having to be warded is just excruciatingly painful. :( Bubbles' jaundice WILL get better in time to come, so don't worry too much ok? R's only got completely cleared at six weeks!
Take care. Big hugs!
dun blame yourself for the jaundice - as u said, it's very common among asian babies. jireh had THREE lamps shining on him and an IV drip to prevent dehydration! glad bubbles is better now.
AHHH!!! I honestly couldn't see much on the day she was born and after. but now, I can see her features!!! WIEEEEEEE! what a sweetheart she is.
cuteeeeee............
I also went through the exact same thing. Cried and cried in front of the nurses during hospital debrief. so malu...Feel quite silly after that.
Anyway hope she's better now! *hugs* God will take good care of ur little family.
she'll be fine! she's in Good Hands! =)
whats Bubbles' name??
she's absolutely beautiful and take care of yourself. please get lots of rest and load up on the nutritious food!
yah.. dun worry too much. It's really quite common. Lleyton was re-admitted 2 days after discharge for jaundice as well, and I had to bring my miserable supply of BM to the hospital for him and latch him while I was there..
It took him almost a month to clear. Definitely understand how ur heartache.. So happy to know that she is now at home sweet home with you..
don't blame yourself dear! it is common, as you say, and breastfed babies tend to be yellower too. N was yellow for more than a month. i'm sure Bubbles will be fine soon enough.
i experienced the same thing too... cos i had to leave my baby in the hospital for 2 more nights and i was so so upset.. dun worry, its very common for Asian babies and just remember to sun her in the early mornings when her jaundice heals :)
Aww, don't think too much ya? Congrats!! She looks soo precious. :)))
dont worry, its v commom for breastfeeding babies to be jaundiced. My baby was jaundiced for more than a month, i have to bear all the comments made "wah, he is still yellow ah"... this is also attributed to the hormones in mummy's breastmilk... as long as he is not dehydrated, you should continue breastfeeding your baby.
Is bubbles' bloodtype different from yours? My pd said the reason why K didn't have jaundice was cos the incidence is far less when mum and babe have same bloodtype.
Enjoy these early days when they are soooooooo little. :)
Thanks all, esp those who shared your personal experiences.
Lyndis: We do share the same blood type!
Can I ask how high her levels of jaundice was? My bb has high level of jaundice too... 16, doctor says if goes higher I have to ward her too....
Kiki:
I'm afraid I can't remember what her level was when she was warded. But I do know that it had to be below 10 for her to be discharged. Do check with your doctor! Hope your baby gets better soon!
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