I've just had my first experience with a babe with pathological jaundice.

Babe was noted to be slightly yellow (by me) at 20 hours. By the next day he
was REALLY yellow and under the bili lights. The nurses were feeding formula
for reasons the mother does not know and was not explained to (mom
breastfeeding). The mom's nipples were fairly trashed from going it alone
the first night and not having a clue as to what was normal sensation. With
the nurses giving formula, felt like she could not provide for her son and
that trhe formula was needed to make him better. (She is a very high strung
girl). Mom very concerned about the baby and just wanted to hold him and
look into his eyes, which she couldn't because of the patch sheilds. Baby
was under the lights for 4 days. (side note: mom by day three had pumped 5 5
oz bottles of her own milk and had breastfed on top of that, VERY empowering
for her to see that she could provide for him.)

Now I have been researching bilirubin levels and would like to know where I
can get current data on bilirubin levels and therapy. When I look up the
values in my pediatric text, they do not correspond with those stated in our
Canadian hospital (text book states levels in teens and elevating to the
twenties, whereas this babe's levels were in 300's.) Are not the values
consistent world wide?

Babe is now fine and at home with pink skin and breastfeeding like fiend to
nourish his 9 lbs 10 ozs body.

Please email privately, TIA


Patricia G. Blomme RN
Certified Perinatal Nurse
Childbirth Educator
Doula
Breastfeeding advisor/assistant
email: [log in to unmask]