Q: Is there anything natural I can do for my baby’s jaundice? he is 4 days old.
Ans: Newborn jaundice is a normal process after delivery. The liver cannot handle the breakdown of the extra blood and so it gets stored as bilirubin in the skin and the organs- the concern is that if the level is too high (and we are not sure what that is but upwards of 20 gets us concerned) then it needs to be treated with phototherapy- the quickest way to bring it down. Occasionally a baby needs 2 or 3 phototherapy lights to bring it down and we will admit them to the hospital for that.
Before all that – Dad can give the baby pedialyte-1-2 ounces a day. The extra water actually helps flush the system and reduce jaundice. The extra water does not cause problems- it helps reduce them. (dad because we want Mom breast feeding and the baby can differentiate smells- Dad= bottle and Mom = breast) We also use a homeopathic remedy that helps reduce jaundice.
Breast feeding can prolong jaundice or a few weeks at non problematic levels.
To bring milk in faster after birth Mom will succeed by nursing every 30-60 minutes for 1-2 minutes. SHORT FREQUENT SUCKLING brings milk in faster and then she can feed on demand for 15-20 minutes a side once milk is in.
What a great question.
Thanks.
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Dr Franz