Julian was checked by the doctor for jaundice right after he was born. The result was negative. However, we had noticed Julian's skin color and whites of the eyes looked yellowish, and that seemed getting worse. We asked doctor to give him the test again at his first Pediatric Dr visit.
Julian lost more than 10% of his birth weight. He must gain back his weight. I was told by doctor to start pumping my breasts that would help producing more breast milk. We went to Day one to rent the breast pomp on a way of Dr's office to home.
From the day, we started feed Julian every 2 hours with 1st 15 minutes of breast feed at each side, bottle feeding of pompped breast milk, and giving plus 2 oz of formula as supplement. This was really hard schedule that didn't give us enough time to get some rest and sleep. When we finish feeding and make him sleep, it is already less than 1 hour to next feeding time.
We got a call from the clinic next day. The test result was positive. We were told to bring Julian to the NICU right away.
Jaundice is a common condition in newborns which shows as yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes. It is caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body. Normally babies get rid of bilirubin in the stool. However, Julian seemed sleepier than normal baby, and he often felt asleep and didn't latched well enough during breast feeding. Also, Julian was not getting enough breast milk because of difficulty with breastfeeding and I didn't produced enough breast milk yet. Therefore, Julian couldn't get rid of bilirubin well in the stool.
Julian was placed under the special lighting to lower the level of bilirubin in his blood. He was worn only a diaper and protective eye patches during the treatment. Also, He was given enough formula to get rid of bilirubin well in the stool.
I pumped my breast and brought the breast milk to NICU even it was still only small amount. Fortunately, Julian's bilirubin level got lower and he was released from NICU next day! We have to continue 2 hour extreme feeding schedule at least for a couple weeks to make sure Julian will gain weight back.
Julian sleeping with holding mommy's foot
- a day before NICU
Stylish Julian went to 1st Pediatrician visit
Julian looks like driving a car in his car-seat
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