jaundice is quite common in newborns. Nurse him a lot (if you are breast feeding) and natural sunlight is good for him.

Did you doctor recommend the bili lights? If not, it sounds like he is taking a watch and see approach.

My daugher had jaundice when she was born & they told me to keep feeding her & to put her bassinette (or whatever you put your little one in) next to a window. Hers was gone in like 3-4 days I think, I can't remember what her levels were up to though.

.Michelle

317?!!?! This is strange... My Dr., along with many other Dr.S say the the level for .Jaundice to have an effect on the brain was 28...I wonder where 317 comes from?

oni had a level of 20 and was closely watched and had blood drawn everyday for 8 days. Her level went from 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20,13...That's when we stopped. Once it goes down, it stays going down.

It *will* get better!! You'll barely remember this part of his life!!

Make sure you put him in in-direct sunlight. Like tilt the shades and let that sunlight penetrate him.

Sarah

Thanx everyone I am still very concerned, everyone says he will get better but I still cant help but worry, I am not sure about the number he jsut told me that his number was 317 and 340 was a problem, and he was getting close to that, I have had two drs call me to talk to me about it and they all said he will be fine and not to worry too much, I am feeding him whenever he wants it....I was going to supplement formula today but the dr said not to because if I did that and his levels went down and then I put him back on breast milk then the result could be missleading. So I am suppose to keep feeding him like normal until I get the results of tomorrows test........If it is high still or gone up then they will probable admit him to the hospital for phototheripy, but the worst part is I can come and visit and express milk but I cant stay with him . I am so scared.

Jenn

Just curious... Why would you suppliment? Unless you're having problems with breastfeeding, your son will get everything he needs from your milk. Every time you suppliment you run the risk of your milk supply diminishing. Is there a reason you want to give him formula?

Becuase some times the reason for increased jaundice levels has to do with soemthing in the mothers breast milk

Ahh, I see. Well if the doctors do recommend supplimenting after the test results come in, definitely remember to pump your breasts to help keep your supply up. It's ridiculous how quickly a mother's milk supply can dry up! Good luck hon!

Well I am also currently on domperion, because I had problems with my milk with my first son and ended up having to put him on formula, so this time they gave me meds to bring my milk in.

The dr advised me to wait until after the results come in tomorrow before supplementing him

i will let you all know how it is tomorrow.

Jenn

mine was gone in like 4 days that melia was in the hospital and I wasnt' able to go home and pump for her. It was crazy how fast tht it dried up.

I'm sure damien will be fine jenn. A ton of babies have jaundice when born. Trey had it too and we just had to keep him near the window. It was gone by the time he was 10 days old. Let us know what they say at the docs!

My mom had five kids and all of us had jaundice. My sister did have to hospitalized for awhile but she is perfectly healthy. I know that my nephew had jaundice and he had the bilia(sp?) light and that was all he needed. I am sure that your baby will be fine but I will be thinking about you guys.

Well we did the test again today and the dr called and said that his levels didnt go up.....And advised me to suppliement breastfeed bottle breast feed ect.

However damien took to the bottle really well and as a result he has not been all that interested in breast feeding, seems like I am breast feeding him and I still have to supplement him after he eats off the breast because he is still hungry.

When I do bottle feed him he is not drinking anymore then 2 oz....... He eats about an oz and then has to burp and eats the other oz and goes to sleep, is 2 oz ok or should I be trying to get him to eat more?

Thanks for all your help
jenn

jandice is quite normal in new born baby.. Don't worry, things are gonna be okay and I hope he'll be fine soon.

2oz is fine for his age. I ahve something that says how much they should drink at what age, but it's at home.

It's great that his levels have not gone up so just continue the docs advice.

my son was jaundice, no one told me that it was dangerous. i feel so bad because i was not educated about the subject, or i did not ask enough questions. my son is now almost nine he has been diagnosed with PDD, but something inside of me tells me it might be because of the jaundice, his level went to 19:(

Don't worry, jaundice is very common for breastfed babies and it is only on rare occasion that any brain damage will actually result because of it. It will go away with time. But as others said, make sure that he is well hydrated and try to give him some sunlight if possible.