Confused ): {Breastfeeding/jaundice}

I posted the other day but now I'm really just stuck here. I need some help.
I had my son on the 9th and we found out he has jaundice. They still let us go home on time but have had us in the doctor's office each day since we've been home to check the baby's bilirubin levels.

At first they told me to breastfeed for ten minutes on each side and then supplement with formula until he's full. It was working but now he's totally confused on what to do when I try to breastfeed him. I really don't want to do both.

I went in to get his levels checked today and they were at 14, they were 15.5 yesterday so they went down. They told me that I should think about stopping breastfeeding though..which broke my heart.

I really just want to say screw bottles/pacifiers and ONLY breastfeed, but I don't want to make his jaundice worse.

If I have to stop breastfeeding, it will make me feel horrible. I have been upset and crying all day at just the thought of having to stop.

I really need suggestions on what you think I should do. I know the doctor's don't always know best even though they think they do. I don't want to stop breastfeeding, I'd rather stop supplementing..but I don't want to make his jaundice worse. I'm sick of going into the doctor's EVERY DAY and making my baby get his foot pricked. It's too much stress for me to deal with.

Breast feeding will help get rid of it faster i would stop using fourmla all together and find a new doctor. My DD had jaundice and they told me BF was better for her.

I am shocked and appalled they suggested that. Wow. Don't stop. There's no need to. There probably wasn't even a real need for them to suggest supplementation. Sorry you are in this spot.

Both my sons were jaundiced. Both hit levels of 20. Neither had a drop of formula nor did their pedis suggest giving any. The were both on home phototherapy though.

My son was 8 weeks early and had pretty bad jaundice. They made me pump like crazy because they said that's what would help him the most. It took one day for me to get it by pumping every 2 hours for 20 minutes (ouch!) but by the evening my son was born he was getting BM (thank goodness!
I wouldn't stop nursing. Go with YOUR gut. Only you know what's best for your baby : )

Quoting Jerri _:" I am shocked and appalled they suggested that. Wow. Don't stop. There's no need to. There probably wasn't ... [snip!] ... levels of 20. Neither had a drop of formula nor did their pedis suggest giving any. The were both on home phototherapy though."

my daughters were not as high as your's or hers but they were enough for them to want my doctor to see her the day after we came home... Her levels were 10.8 and 10.7 or something like that.

I was just told to put my DS in some indirect sunlight each day and that should help break down the biliruben. I was never told to stop breastfeeding but was told to make sure he ate plenty and put him in sunlight.

Stop with the formula. It's unnecessary, and will only cause nipple confusion and effect your supply.

Just keep nursing. Don't worry about how long you nurse, just nurse him for as long as he wants, as often as he wants. During the day take him out in the sun in small spurts (10 minutes or so). All newborns are jaundiced to some extent, and there is no need for the formula.

He told me that breastfeeding could make it worse and could be the cause of it and that I should consider stopping...I thought it sounded kinda weird but he even gave me a printed out sheet about jaundice and how stopping breastfeeding is a treatment for it.

So you think it would be okay to quit with the formula and just breastfeed? I'm not sure how often to or for how long...should I only feed him when he seems hungry? Or should I wake him up? The jaundice can make it really hard for him to wake up and it makes him sleepy..so I don't want to starve him if he sleeps through a time I would normally feed him.

That's completely ridiculous. Find a new doctor who is supportive of breastfeeding, please. Keep breastfeeding. Toss the formula. Your son's levels came down, so that's good! Take him out into the sun for a few minutes a few times a day, even if it's chilly out. Or ask to do phototherapy at home so you can continue breastfeeding. You're doing great, mama, and your instincts are correct! Keep up the good work with breastfeeding as much as possible! Gah, some doctors PISS ME OFF!

Quoting Kyran's Mommy♥:" He told me that breastfeeding could make it worse and could be the cause of it and that I should consider ... [snip!] ... him to wake up and it makes him sleepy..so I don't want to starve him if he sleeps through a time I would normally feed him."

there is a breast feeding jaundice but it will get better. Find a different doctor a/s/a/p

Quoting Kyran's Mommy♥:" He told me that breastfeeding could make it worse and could be the cause of it and that I should consider ... [snip!] ... him to wake up and it makes him sleepy..so I don't want to starve him if he sleeps through a time I would normally feed him."

No offence to your doctor, but he's an idiot.

I would find a new doctor, or get in touch with an LC. Good luck!

<blockquote><b>Quoting Kyran's Mommy♥:</b>" He told me that breastfeeding could make it worse and could be the cause of it and that I should consider ... [snip!] ... him to wake up and it makes him sleepy..so I don't want to starve him if he sleeps through a time I would normally feed him."</blockquote>

There are breast feeding and breastmilk jaundices...but I believe it's a bit early to say its those and stopping bfing isn't the solution. My oldest son had one of them...the milk one I believe. Sounds like normal, newborn jaundice for you though. You should find another, more supportive pediatrician.

Well luckily this doctor is not the doctor I normally have. My normal pediatrician was the one who suggested supplementing. This doctor we saw today suggested quitting it..we had to go to him because my doctor's office was closed.

Even still, I feel like I should just breastfeed and that's it.

I can't imagine not being able to see his adorable little face when I go to breastfeed him..it is seriously the cutest thing..and he loves it so much. It's the most comforting thing to him..

First off get your self a new doctor. That's smurfing ridiculous. Breastfeeding is the very best thing you can do for your baby. I would stop the formula and take him out in the Sun for a little while each day. Don't let anyone pressure you into something you don't want to do. If you want to breastfeed then do it. Smurf what the doctor said. It wasnt right to start with.

You dont need to give him formula to get rid of his jaundice. STOP FF feeding right now if you still wanna breastfeed. Take him out into the sun for 10mins a day and make sure you are getting lots of water and fresh fruits and veggies so your milk is "clean"