Heather mentioned the fact that increased bili can be due to decreased BF,
so fix the BF.  But both of these babies mentioned, by any US standards,
needed lights at this point - mid twenties- and work on BF, not stopping
BF. They also needed to be checked for sepsis and any other factor that may
have increased the bili.  You can't check a baby's behavior and feeding
adequately over the phone.  This is one of the biggest US problems.  There
is no consistent system for babies to be seen on day 4-5, so  by time mom &
dad figure out something is wrong we are in TROUBLE.

The hospitals - like Evergreen- that have walk-in clinics for baby to be
checked on days 3-5 report about a 90+% return rate.  We either need
clinics like that connnected to each hospital that delivers babies or we
need a visiting nurse system that sees EVERY new baby between day 3-5 at
home!  I frankly don't agree with taking the newborn into the drs office
and exposing them to G-d knows what for a weight and progress check.  With
our stupid, inefficient insurance system we will continue to limp along,
giving babies inadequate safety nets.   Sincerely, Pat in SNJ

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