I too was surprised about limiting the breastfeeding to four hourly. Is it possible that they meant no less than four hourly ? Normally you would be going for third hourly if anything to push the bilirubin through and keep the baby hydrated under lights as you say Nikki.
Helen ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nikki Macfarlane" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 11:48 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] URGENT INFO NEEDED > 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. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
