Jaundice in newborns

[rustic_lullaby]

Hi, DS2 is now 11 days old and still has jaundice. It is improving, slowly, but this afternoon I noticed how dark yellow his urine is .. and then I Googled.. and now I'm freaking out. Weekend, all Dr offices closed, don't know who to ask/ring until Monday. One symptom is 'sleepy' but I don't know how to differentiate between normal newborn sleepy and jaundice sleepy...

Anyone with experience on this, when symptoms improved? Or words of advice? or, anything really.... Ta......

[~CherryCola~]

Do you have a visiting midwife coming out? Or can you ring the hospital? Both my DD's were jaundice. With DD1 we just had to flush it out with lots of BFing but DD2's was more serious and we had 2 additional hospital stays as well as her having to go on that glowing mat (instead of being under lights). I would call the hospy if you are really concerned and breast feed as often as possible. DD2 was on 3 hourly feeds until she was better.

Hope that helps some!

[KateP]

both my bubs had jauncide. 'sleepy' in jaundiced newborns means they are often too sleepy to wake for a feed or to stay awake for a whole feed. the feeding and weeing helps clear the jaundice, so if they arent eating and weeing well then it will take even longer to resolve, and hence its a vicious circle. If I were you Id give the labour ward you delivered at a call and tell them whats happening, or if you are very concerned go back to the hospital (labour ward or the ER) and get her checked over.

good luck, I hope it resolves soon

kate

[frenchieM]

Congrats on your little boy!
I have had 2 with jaundice, I remember it got worse before it got better, DS had a worse case but 11 days is a long time. Call Health Direct 1800 022 222, they will be able to tell you if it can wait until Monday to get looked at.
Is he having lots of wet nappies? He is not dehydrated?

ETA - I just found this for you. Its got some good info - apparently if jaundice continues past 2wks your bub may need a blood test, also as I suspected/remembered, the jaundice is worse with dehydration, just keep bubs fluids up.

[rustic_lullaby]

Thanks for the replies.

CherryCola, I read your reply last night and as DS2 gets very regular feeds - anywhere from 1 to 3 hourly - I calmed down to wait til morning. I did try ringing the hospital/midwives last night but no answer, which I am not surprised about (w/end, staffing, doing midwifey things!) but figured he was better than a week ago and I could always go to ER if he suddenly got worse. (*calm*calm*deepbreaths*)

The good thing about waiting til morning is that I copped a couple of wayward wee's (that's not the good bit) that were normal wee colour/clear, not that dark dark yellow. Phew!

The midwife I spoke to said everything sounds 'normal' for DS2 processing the bilirubin, and that it does come out in the urine too (this is not what googled info said). This info will at least tie me over til Monday and I can contact the paed's office then.

KateP thanks for explaining the newborn vs jaundice sleepy.
FrenchieM thanks for the link, although that's the sort of info that was freaking me out (liver disease, brain damage) lol.. but DS2 is not 2w yet so it's good to know it's not critical re timing as yet ..and thanks for the congrats

[frenchieM]

that's the sort of info that was freaking me out (liver disease, brain damage) lol

I know, sorry, didn't meant to freak you out I am not a fan of Dr Google. But I liked that link because it was from a reputable source and 1) it did say "Brain damage due to very high levels of jaundice is now extremely rare because the levels are carefully monitored during the first few days of life in hospital or at home with an early discharge program."
And 2) with the liver disease it mentioned the stools being discoloured, which I assumed your bub didn't have, plus it said only to investigate that past 2wks old;
so I thought it might give you some more comfort to not panic about the worst case scenarios.

I am glad you got to speak with the midwife and LOL on the wayward wees.

[~CherryCola~]

Glad to hear you are feeling abit better about it I hope your DS is better soon

[rustic_lullaby]

Just an update. Saw paed earlier this week. He said DS2's jaundice is okay, he's otherwise well ie no fever etc. Suspect it's breastmilk jaundice and could last up to 6 weeks. Did a bilirubin level check which is under the severe/treatment level. Dr said bilirubin is also passed through urine, he wasn't concerned about the very dark urine episode.

Thanks for all replies in my moment of need/irrational drama-queen thinking

[~CherryCola~]

Glad to hear all is ok rustic

[frenchieM]

That's great news!! Sounds like your paed knew much more what he was talking about than silly Dr Google LOL.