brand new niece has jaundice.. advised to bf every 2 hours... is that 2hrs from the start of feeding or 2hrs from the end of feeding?

[saralou]

because she/we are confused!

tia

[ib]

from start, I believe. And yes, with some babies that results in almost continuous feeding (it did with ds)

[PortAndLemon]

Normally a guideline like that means from the start of feeding.

[MamaChris]

2 hours from start I think too.

[StealthPolarBear]

from the start I think
also, I would assume they mean that's the least and more would be fine - did they say anything like that?

[saralou]

thats what was confusing us.... by the time she's finished, she starts again! poor sis is knackered!

thanks for the speedy replies ladies!!!

[PortAndLemon]

She won't have to feed that often for long (well, not from a jaundice point of view... niece may have her own ideas!)

[saralou]

i'll tell her that, she's a bit weepy right now my por sis!

[NellyTheElephant]

It's from the start. DD2 (who was little and scrawny at 6lb 1oz) was v jaundiced and I was advised to feed every 2 hrs (although to be honest I never quite managed that as she would always sleep after feeds and it felt awful waking her up so it was more like 2 and a half hours - when I read up advice on internet it said feed every 2 - 3 hours). The other big thing for jaundice is LOTS and LOTS of sunlight (although obviously be wary of sunburn!!), have as much skin exposed to light as possible. My health visitor and I identified the sunniest part of my very light living room and she said I had to park DD's carrycot permanently in that place. I was badly jaundiced at birth too and had to be placed under phototherapy lamps in the hospital so I was glad DDs cleared up without that. DD's jaundice improved dramatically within a week and so I only did that almost continual feeding thing for the first week then felt happy enough to let her set her own pace - thankfully much less frequent feeds.

[gothicmama]

i took it to be from start

[thisisyesterday]

it'll be great for her supply too!

[itati]

My son had jaundice. I was told not to let him sleep more than 3 hours so I would consider 2-21/2 hours. Not to undermind the professionals but I would hate your SIL to be upset over a few minutes.

Congrats on becoming an auntie.

[llareggub]

My DS had jaundice and was under a phototherapy lamp for 24 hours. When we were discharged he was prescribed lots of "sunbaths" by the doctor and I'd put him in on the windowsill in his moses basket.

He used to breastfeed almost continuously. He'd start at 5pm and feed until 11pm, it seemed! I don't think I was specifically advised to feed every 2 hours, but when awake that's all he'd do.

He is 21 months now and a very happy and healthy little boy.

[talilac]

If I were you, I'd cosy your sis up in bed with her DD and bring her a constant supply of drinks, snacks, DVDs, mags, whatever, while she feeds.

Yes it will be almost constant feeding. This is fine, and will be great for her supply and to help with the jaundice. It will only be for a while though!

[popsycal]

from start to stRT
EG BWGIN FEEDING AT 2PM THEN AGAIN AT4PM

[popsycal]

DO ENCOURGA EH3R TO PERSIST
ds1 was very very poorly wiht jaundice (SCBU for 3 weeks kind of poorly)
wish i had been given correct advice

[talilac]

And you know what? Staying in bed feeding your new baby all day while everyone brings you things is actually pretty great.

I'm pining for those days right now.

[LIZS]

start of one to start of next. Should start to ease in a few days. One of the side effects of jaundice is baby being too drowsy to feed well and wake for feeds, frequent feeding flushes out the chemicals which cause it.

[kiskidee]

print off this leaflet for sis. It is a good way of getting milk into them in the early days with this type of problem.

[EffiePerine]

Def tell her to get into bed/on sofa and feed feed feed

do nothing else

if she HAS to get up she could try a sling where she can feed and do other stuff at the same time

lots of snacks, mags, tv remote etc. etc.

get everyone else to help re: cooking, housework, nappy changing, basically everything but feeding

Congratulations on your new niece

[talilac]

Yes this is def the time to get the family rallying round to cook, clean, shop and generally be in support..

Someone well intentioned (it was my Mum in my case) may suggest a formula top up if they see your sister getting tired etc. If your sister wants to BF, this is not a good idea as it is a slippery slope with regards to her supply. Do assure her that she will be through this phase of her DDs life really quickly and if she can stick with the bf, it will all start getting much easier!

Congrats to you all. x