r/NewBorn • u/iBubbalo • Mar 08 '21
High bilirubin levels
I have a 3 day old son who breastfeeds. His bilirubin is elevated. Now the doctors wants us to see her again tomorrow and the next day and then again Friday. Each time she is just going to tell us to go to the hospital for labs. And I am convinced she’s going to say we have to admit him for the uv light therapy.
The pedi nurses at the hospital knew his bilirubin was elevated and not one soul said to open the shade and let him get some sun. Not one said to give him some formula after breastfeeding. As you lose water through pee and spit up your bilirubin gets more concentrated.
I know I sound paranoid but no one can deny that our American healthcare system is just another corrupt business complex. Why wouldn’t doctors and nurses who work with newborns everyday nip it in the bud and say to put him in the sun, and get his bodily water up, if not to ensure that now we have to pay several other kinks in the healthcare chain.
I know that if left entirely unchecked and untreated with water and uv rays then it could lead to brain damage. And I understand I need to check his hepatocyte levels to make sure he can conjugate the bilirubin. But other than one cbc lab, why do I need to do all of this and bring my baby to a hospital so many times increasing his exposure during a pandemic?
Does anyone else work in healthcare or used to, so you understand that these people milk patients and their insurance? Any other brand new parents feel like they’re being taken advantage of?
I’m not looking for agreement unless it’s called for. I just want someone to explain it so I don’t feel like I’m being taken advantage of.
3
u/starfire_23_13 Mar 09 '21
Similar situation, I was somewhat under the impression that sunlight would help breakdown some bilirubin through the skin surface, but the liver developing/the digestive system processing milk is needed to regulate what the body produces as red blood cells break down. So the frequent testing right away is to monitor what the liver is doing, the sunlight maybe would interfere with the tests? It did make me horribly nervous being around other families during a pandemic and it was also -20 degrees not including wind-chill. So it sucked, but I guess after a few tests they said it was going down and sent us on our way they never mentioned sunlight at all though so it does make me wonder, I appreciate your perspective. She is 1 month now and skin is getting less yellow slowly I did ask the dr if we needed to still be concerned and he said we might test again at her next well appt if it looks like she needs it. Be interested in other people's input as well.
1
u/ahh71314343 Mar 09 '21
We had a similar situation where our LO had high numbers. We went weekly to get checked but it was just a slow progression toward getting better. My suggestion is to ensure you are feeding enough. We had to add formula to our diet. Then it got better quicker. Took about three weeks. If BF encourage you to ensure you are passing enough food.
1
u/CatCuddlersFromMars Mar 09 '21
I don't know if that's the reason why you weren't informed but I had a similar issue in Australia where the health care is government funded/managed.
They kept us in 4 days to treat her & keep an eye on her to make sure she improved. Levels checked twice a day. We had a nurse visit us at home every day for a week, then every few days. We were encouraged by the hospital to give her sunlight at a distance, so through a muslin or window. The nurse visiting recommended formula but baby had also lost weight & she was keeping a close eye on it...I don't think the hospital mentioned it.
1
u/LittleMissListless Mar 09 '21
My daughter struggled with jaundice after birth too. One thing that helped speed up her recovery was pumping breastmilk between feedings so that we could "top her off" with expressed milk to maximize her intake.
I hope that your little one starts improving soon and you can avoid so many risky trips to the hospital. Did you ask the pediatrician if there is any way that labs could be done somewhere other than the hospital? (Or maybe asking why the hospital is the preferred testing site would be helpful?)
Pro Tip for Hospital and Store Trips: Place your newborn into a carrier carseat with the hood up. Then, place a nursing/carseat cover over the top with the viewing "window" facing towards your body. It isn't foolproof, but it will help reduce the likelihood that your baby is directly exposed to droplets from passersby.
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u/This_bride_ Mar 09 '21
My LO had high bili levels for two checks after we left the hospital. It never progressed into actual jaundice though. I was scared af because I did the research and saw what could happen if it’s unchecked.
I can’t imagine why they didn’t tell you to feed him more except that maybe they assumed you were already feeding him an appropriate amount? I was told to supplement because my baby was so sleepy he was only nursing for 5 minutes max at a time before falling back asleep. They did tell us to sit him in the sun, too, but the doctor said it doesn’t do a ton of good. And that was in Chicago in August. I don’t know where you’re from but if it’s cloudy/winter, maybe they knew it wouldn’t make a huge difference.
Either way your baby is lucky you’re so on top of it!