29 Feb – 2 days after coming home, Dylan had to be admitted back to the hospital for phototheraphy due to his high jaundice level – 242.8.
Dr Hwang (his PD) asked me to admit myself as a lodger so that I can continue to exclusively direct bf him.
I decided not to for the following reasons :-
- My milk has not really come yet. Meaning Dylan would need to be nursed very frequently and would have to be taken out from his phototheraphy sessions often. This would only prolong the time to bring down the jaundice level.
- The total additional cost would be twice as much for me to stay as a lodger. This is money that I can use for lots of other things.
- Having a few formula feedings would not hurt Dylan. (though I had wished I didn’t have to)
So I told Dr Hwang I will not but I will pump regularly and bring whatever I have to the hospital. Dr Hwang asked if that would be enough. And I said, “No, and I will have to supplement with formula when he is at the hospital.”
I guess the Dr understands as she did not pressure me to stay. But told me to come at least 2 times a day to direct feed Dylan and to pump regularly. And I did. I pumped every 3 hours and I liase with the nursery on the direct feeding timing so that they know when to expect me and not feed Dylan formula.
Dylan was discharged from the hospitals 2 days later and I am determined to exclusive bf him from now. I hope I can achieve my 6 mths milestone.
I managed to exclusive bf Bryan from the time he was abt 2 mths till he was past 1 year old. I had supplemented in the first few weeks due to ill informed advices.
I know it is going to be more challenging this time as I am caring not just for an infant but also a very handful terrible-two toddler. So the least I can do is to hit the 6 mths milestone for Dylan. Wish me luck….
Congrats to your new born. It is very common for new born to develop jaundice.
My first time here. http://www.delittleones.com
Congratulations!! Give Bryan some time to get used to having a little di di at home. And you do take care of yourself. Good that your mom is around to help.
Hey set higher goals – at least 1 year.
Ah, Dylan must be sleeping a lot eh? Cassie is a sleeper..and at times not willing to wake up for her feed…but she is getting better now. When we brought her in the following day the doc suspected her bilirubin is high..and made her go thru the blood test again (so sakit hati). Luckily, the result was low..but I worked very hard to pump her weight. My milk didn’t come till the 4th day (we went to the doc’s on the 3rd day). Luckily I was able to pump and direct feed her the entire day 3 and she gained a few oz..and pooped quite a bit. The pooping helped get rid of her jaundicey colored skin.
I’m sure your mom is cooking those nutritious soup to help you lactate. I find that very helpful.
Actually, what you did was very smart. Most babies are breastmilk jaundice..and it’s the breastmilk that keeps the jaundice level up. The fastest way to bring it down is via formula first. Then, u pump ur milk in the meantime and store it. When the level comes down, means his body has rid of all the mum’s bilirubin (??) and can accept BM again.
That’s what my PD told me. If I had known earlier, my No.2 wudn’t have suffered so long under those UV lights…5 days u know! So ex for me to stay with him K!!!!!!!
Just drink HEAPS of water to keep ur milk supply up. I know it’s pantang to actually drink plain water…but seriously…it helps to keep a huge bottle of water/fluid next to u when u BM!
Take care!
I’m sure you can do it.
last time i had same prob too when QQ stayed for 6 days in NICU. I brought my pumped milk to the hospital each nite hoping that she would not have to fed on formula…If it is not convenient for you, prob u can get your hb just to send the milk.