Should she stick to just nursing?

[sophiesgrandma]

My dil just had a baby last night in hospital. He has jaundice and they've been pushing formula. She has resisted and is just nursing. Is there any earthly reason why she should give the baby formula or is ok for her to refuse. Baby was due on 3/25 and they used vacuum after she had pushed for 2 hours and they said the baby was stuck by the shoulder. She said the baby was just about out when they used it. He is healthy in everyway but jaundice. He just had his first pee and has been pooping all along.
He is 7 lbs 11oz

[moobiegirl]

congrats on the new grandson!!!

continue just nursing

[KristyDi]

I'm not all that educated about jaundice, but I imagine it would depend on what the babe's actual bili levels were. If you found that info out you could get more concrete advice and information on any possible risks.

[sophiesgrandma]

Thanks for the congrats. I'm thrilled! I do not know the levels but will know tonight and I will let you know. Thanks.

[pammysue]

Congratulations!!!

Here is a page of links on BFing and jaundice.

ETA: if the hospital does not like that, here is the AAP statement on jaundice.

[sophiesgrandma]

pammysue, thanks so much for the great links. I will give them to my son and dil.

[sophiesgrandma]

The baby's bilirubin level is 9. I just talked to my son and my dil and new grandson are getting better and better at breastfeeding. The only difficult thing is getting him awake enough to nurse but they are all working together and getting it done. I guess jaundice causes a very sleepy baby.

[Llyra]

Originally Posted by sophiesgrandma

The baby's bilirubin level is 9. I just talked to my son and my dil and new grandson are getting better and better at breastfeeding. The only difficult thing is getting him awake enough to nurse but they are all working together and getting it done. I guess jaundice causes a very sleepy baby.

Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but I don't think 9 is any big deal. I seem to remember DD2 being up at 12, and she was only 4 1/2 pounds (whether a given bili level is alarming or not depends on a baby's weight-- with a small baby, a given number is more alarming, but bigger babies can get higher without anyone worrying.)

There is no earthly reason why a healthy newborn baby needs formula. Baby needs to be at the breast all day and frequently through the night, to build mama's milk supply. If baby is given formula, baby will sleep even longer, and wake to nurse less often, which is a nice way to sabotage the breastfeeding relationship before it's even started.

I would advise her to tell them that she will not give formula without a concrete medical reason given by a physician-- and that she will seek a second and even a third opinion before reaching that decision.

[staceychev]

Originally Posted by sophiesgrandma

The baby's bilirubin level is 9. I just talked to my son and my dil and new grandson are getting better and better at breastfeeding. The only difficult thing is getting him awake enough to nurse but they are all working together and getting it done. I guess jaundice causes a very sleepy baby.

DD's was 9.5 at 24 hours and 9.8 two days later. I've been exclusively nursing, which has been fine with hospital and ped, and her jaundice has cleared up.

[boobs4milk]

millie was 6lbs and anything above 10 they used the lights (she was in the nicu). she was not pooping so her levels stayed high. i remember my dd2 was almost 20 and they tried to push formula or water on us. breastmilk has as much water as properly reconstitued formula, so it takes a bit for the jaundice to clear out depending on when the milk comes in. she will need to nurse frequently, at least every 3 hours and wake the baby if she has to. that will not only get the bili's down, but help build her supply.

congrats!

[Mom2M]

Congratulations on your new grandson!
I think 9 is a pretty good number. When DD1 was born, hers got up to 14 and they sent us home with lights but no formula needed,
If she had gone up to 15 and above they said it could cause some brain damage so we got her tested every day until it went down to below 9. Then she was well on to breastfeeding a lot and was gaining weight.
Sounds like he is doing great, especially since he is pooping!

[LionessMom]

i read that breastmilk was more effective at clearing up jaundice than formula anyway.