Newborn babies are very prone to experience yellowing of skin and sometimes including their eyes too. This condition is called jaundice. Newborns and infants are very much prone to it. However, it can be cured and often gets better or completely disappears as the baby grows. In this article, let us discuss further about jaundice and what are its treatments too.
What is Jaundice?
Our body creates bilirubin to replace old red blood cells. Our liver helps in breaking down of bilirubin so it can be discharged. However, most newborns experience high levels of excess bilirubin which causes the yellowing of baby’s skin and the white part of the eyes. Symptoms of jaundice often occurs a few ours or even first few days after the child’s birth but it’s peak is 3 to 7 days after birth.
Babies who are not getting enough milk either breastfed or formula are at high risk of developing jaundice in newborns. This also includes those that are premature babies (36weeks and below), and those whose blood type is not compatible with their mothers.
How to Get Rid of Jaundice
For mild jaundice, it may take weeks before it completely disappears. Since the bilirubin can be eliminated from the body through the waste, the doctor may suggest to feed baby more frequently so that he will be able to urinate or poop more and discharge waste.
For moderate to severe jaundice, there are different types of treatment which can be done in the hospital by professionals. Of course, frequent feeding and supplimentation could still be applied along with other treatments that includes:
•Phototherapy or light therapy. Your baby (in bare skin with only diapers on) will be placed in a bed, under a special lamp that gives off light that changes the structure of bilirubin so it can easily be eliminated and discharged by the body through waste. Your baby would need to wear eye patch for protection too.
•Blood Transfusion. It can be done by getting small amount of blood from the baby’s body and replacing it with a compatible blood type from a donor. This could help in diluting the birilubin and lower its count in the baby’s body.
Seeing A Doctor
Few days from the delivery of the child, it is a must to have a baby’s follow up check up. The doctor will be able to tell if ever there your baby is having jaundice and of what level, including whatever treatment may be possible to get rid of it.
Having a newborn could get us a cloud-9 feeling, however, taking care of them is not an easy peasy thing to do. Every unusual thing we notice should be observed and brought to the attention of experts to make sure that things are well. But then, let’s not forget that this new life that was blessed to us is a very precious thing that we need to celebrate and give thank for.
Reference:
https://www.healthline.com/health/newborn-jaundice#symptoms
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infant-jaundice/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373870
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