Jaundice, eating, weight, and lots of frustration - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

poeticheretic · 10-15-2007, 02:46 PM

Our little girl is 11 days old today. She was jaundiced at birth (Minolta level was 14) and she weighed 7 lbs 4 oz. She visited the doctor two days after going home and the jaundice level had dropped to 11; when she left the hospital she weighed 6 lbs 12 oz. The nurses at the office told us to feed her 2-3 ounces every 2-3 hours, which we have done RELIGIOUSLY around the clock. (Those two ounces are in baby formula; my wife also pumps breast milk which our baby eats inbetween feedings, though it usually only equals about two ounces a day- she's getting between 20 and 26 ounces a day.) Two days after that first visit we went back. She had lost one ounce and the minolta rose back up to 12. The nurses pretty much acted like we were starving her and shoving her in a closet somewhere! She has at least 3 bowel movements a day and at the VERY LEAST 7 wet diapers, both of which they said was not enough. She went back to the doctor today. She's gained back 4.5 ounces since three days ago and the minolta is down to 8.5, yet they still said we're not feeding her enough, she's not having enough bowel movements, and she's not gaining weight fast enough. We have to strip her naked and wipe her down with a damp cloth, tickle her ribs, pinch her toes, etc..etc.. to get her to wake up and eat those two (or more) ounces every two hours. We honestly don't know how to get her to eat any more. She also spends most of the time in indirect sunlight and we take her outside to the direct sunlight for 5 to 10 minutes at a time several times a day. This is our second child, so we're not new to the game. She seems to be eating plenty (as evidenced by the amount of dirtry/wet diapers and the weight gain over the past three days) and the jaundice is going away (as evidenced by the curent 8.5 level and the fact that her eyes are no longer yellow) Are we really stupid or are these nurses overreacting? I know jaundice can be serious, but they said themselves that they don't worry unitil it reaches a 16 on the minolta test. We're really frustrated and need some advice. I did call the nursery at the hospital where we delivered and told the nurse there everything I've written here. She said that it sounds like we're doing things perfectly and not to worry over it as long as her weight goes up and her jaundice level goes down. Any words??

neshee · 10-15-2007, 03:14 PM

Okay, first of all I always thought that 6 or more wet diapers and 1 or more poopy diaper (more if breastfed) was plenty for a day! So, you are just fine. My DD had jaundice too, and though her levels never went back up, sometimes it just takes their bodies time to adjust. My son also had this, but only for one day. I think you are doing just fine. If your doc is telling you one thing and the hospital is telling you another, I would go with the hospital. And I would consider switching peds, if you have another good one around (we don't have a choice, unfortunately). I wish you all the luck in the world. I think you are doing a WONDERFUL job. Oh, and the reason she is so tired out is b/c of the jaundice! My DD would sleep 8 hours at a time! LOL!

Heyknack · 10-16-2007, 07:29 AM

I would tell those nurses where to stick it if they are giving you attitude--especially after you have been trying so hard to get her to eat and watching her diapers, etc. There is nothing more frustrating than a health professional either telling you to do more when you are already doing the maximum--it's like they aren't even listening to you.
My DD was also jaundiced at birth and we went through the same thing. You are doing a good job as a parent to try to get her to eat this much and I also think the amount of wet diapers and poopy diapers sounds great!! She is now gaining and her bilirubin levels are dropping, I wouldn't worry. But you might want to think about getting a new pediatrician, or voicing your frustration to your pediatrician the next time you are in. The peditrician and nurses need to know the way they are treating parents is not right. Who knows how many other parents are feeling the same way as you??!!