Abby, the numbers can be confusing, especially when they use two different scales which is what they have done here.
The 300, 280 and 380 are on one scale. The 22 is on another scale. To get the same scale, multiply the 22 by 17, or divide the larger numbers by 17. The 300 and 280 are not that unusual for a term healthy baby. The 380 is quite high but still not panic stations if other indications such as alertness and feeding are all normal. I am amazed they have said she cannot feed on demand - this is absolutely the most important thing the baby needs to shift the jaundice. Breastmilk will help the baby to frequently clear its bowels - bilirubin is excreted in the faeces. If the baby does not feed it will not poo, and the bilirubin will sit in the intesting for longer periods and subsequently be reabsorbed, thus lengthening the period it has jaundice for. Absurd approach. I can understand the desire to put the baby under lights but the advice to feed every 4 hours sucks - this baby needs as much breastmilk as mum can get itno it. It will help excrete the bilirubin and will also prevent dehydration and prevent the baby's blood sugar level from dropping. A low blood sugar level will lead to a sleepy baby whoi then doesn't want to wake for feeds and ends up in a vicious circle. I see an enormous amount of routine jaundice treatment here for levels as low as 12 (204). All babies are routinely tested so we frequently get to see the consequences of a diagnosis of jaundice. Remember that the levels naturally begin to drop from day 6 onwards. This usually conincides with the "treatment" which of course everyone says worked, but it may have been that the baby's levels were dropping anyway. The phototherapy equipment is often on wheels - the baby can be given phototherapy but be in the same room as mum. In fact, in most places the equipment is available for hire and mum can give at home. Good luck. Nikki Macfarlane Director, Childbirth International www.childbirthinternational.com -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
