Can't get my jaundice newborn to eat or wake properly

[erised24]

My baby is a week old. Born assisted with forceps at 38+5 weeks. We have been back and forth the hospital all week having tests but she's not above the treatment line so we keep getting sent back home. During the day she just sleeps, I can't wake her up to feed. I've been told to feed her every 3 hours but I can't wake her and when she does eventually wake up, it's nearly time for another feed! I was told to BF and top up with formula but she will no longer accept the breast (again will not wake up). I've tried nappy changes and stripping her off, skin to skin... I don't know what else to do :(

[Jerble]

I would call your community midwife or the hospital again. Good luck.

[CottonSock]

Are they weighing her every time? This usually gives a good indication.

[indecisivewoman81]

Hello,

Have you tried tickling her hands and feet and gently blowing on her face? I remember these all being tips my midwife suggested to me when mine were very little.

If you are worried then there is no harm in called a health visitor and expressing your concerns. Mothers know their babies x

[Thesearmsofmine]

If she is that difficult to rouse I would be calling the midwife and getting seen right away.

[Russell19]

Do you have a local breastfeeding support group near you? I understand the topping up woth formula is sometimes necessary but it seems that your baby now has a preference for the bottle instead of breast, it's a different sucking action and way of feeding. Sounds like you need specific feeding support. You're doing really well OP. Keep going!

[CatToddlerUprising]

This happened to my niece when she was born last month, they kept testing. Baby wasn’t eating so my sister went to A&E and was kept in for a few days for treatment

[Imicola]

Agree with others. We had a very sleepy baby also and were caught in a constant cycle of waking baby, then trying to rewake when she fell asleep mid feed, then by the time she was done and nappy changed it was almost time for the next feed! Blowing gently on face, tickling hands and feet, undressing, changing nappy, damp cotton wool on forehead, sitting them more upright etc. And if it is still a struggle, call midwives or HV. When they start feeding a bit more it helps a lot with the sleepiness and it will become much easier.

[MovingtoCardiff]

When did she last feed? Has she been weighed? How is her nappy output, is she doing wees/poos?

It's hard to tell from your post but it sounds like you may not be able to wake her at all in which case I'd call your midwife or the hospital now.

[Queenfreak]

How is her nappy output?
If she is that difficult to rouse I would be speaking to the midwife or unit and asking to be seen again.
I'm assuming she is having lots of time outside in the sun?

[skykiln]

Jaundiced babies need light, so if at all possible get her outside into the daylight, can you put her cot near a window. The more sun light the better, though obviously not baking in the sun.

[Lockdownseperation]

When was her last feed? If more than 4 hours then your need to ring your hospital. You are still under midwifery care and they are the experts.

[Igloo71]

Ask them to do a thyroid function blood test if they haven't already. Jaundice and tiredness are signs of underactive thyroid in a newborn. Take care of yourself too xx

[troyandabedinthemorning]

We had something similar with our daughter, we used to have to put an ice cube on her foot to wake her! Agree that you should also speak GP/HV

[erised24]

I've just managed to feed her after a while of trying and she sleepily fed for a while. She's filling her nappies regularly and is lying on the sofa which is by a window. Also to add she's wide awake at night time, it's the day when it's hard to wake her up.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

I sprinkled a little cold water on my DS face to wake him up as he was also very sleepy when he was around that age. Dreamfeeding is the best though - so if she does it then keep offering. As long as you can hear her swallow it’s fine.

[Howzaboutye]

Take baby gro off, damp facecloth on legs and tum etc to wake baby up.

It is essential you wake baby to feed every 2 hours.

Is anyone measuring the bilirubin levels? You may need a light bed in hospital of baby.

The more liquid you get into baby, and sunlight then the jaundice will go quicker.

Check whites of eyes- if yellow and not improving by tomorrow then you need to call your community midwife

[erised24]

I was told every 3 hours by midwives which is what I've been doing. She's had 3 tests and all come back fine.

[Howzaboutye]

Ok just keep doing what you are doing. Don't miss a feed.
And congratulations!

[HolyCorona]

Sunlight is no longer recommended for newborn jaundice.

[anotherwinkywinkybumbum]

Ah ok OP, so little one has their days and nights mixed up. Plenty of natural light during day, get out if you can. Then minimal interaction during the night. She'll soon get her circadium rhythm sorted.

My dd was also jaundiced quite badly but under treatment level. Feeding every 2 hours around the clock was advised to help flush out. She ended up being jaundiced for quite a few weeks and was diagnosed with prolonged breastfeeding jaundice. All was well in the end and she is no longer representing oompah loompahs!

[Shootingstar2018]

Firstly just want to say you are doing a great job.

We had a similar situation last year when our little one was born, constant testing but always just below treatment level. The advice given above is exactly what we were told - so setting alarms to feed every 3 hours, mix of breast, expressed and formula. On times where he wouldn't wake up, undressing him down to his nappy, blowing on him and using a cold flannel on his skin.

After 5 days we got to the point where we could be released but kept up the 3 hour feeds at home and probably for much longer than we needed too.

Good luck and hope some of the advice from previous posters helps.

[CottonSock]

We also had to do all of the 3 hour alarm feeds etc, topping up. But I think I just had a sleepy baby. She once didn't even wake when I undressed her and put in bath! I was trying to correct her rhythm. Lovely photo of her asleep in my arms in bath. She's 7 now.

[Howzaboutye]

How are you getting on OP?
Baby putting on weight and less jaundiced I'm hoping X

[btbtbt]

Jaundice has nothing to do with sunlight and getting sunlight will not help the jaundice- its an old wives tale.
Plenty of fluids flushing out the toxins will help- the more dirty nappies the better.

[erised24]

@Howzaboutye

How are you getting on OP?
Baby putting on weight and less jaundiced I'm hoping X

After posting this, baby perked up and is now waking up for feeds and drinking quite a bit. Had our 10 day appointment and she is above her birth weight and midwife has said she doesn't look jaundice anymore.