Jaundice

[goldie81]

Not sure where to post but does anyone know is the only place for treatment in hosp or is there somewhere you can hire machines for use at home. Friend baby is 5days old & not allowed to be discharged because jaundice. They're saying he was prem but he was born at 37wks so not that prem. but hosp so horrible she just wants to be home

It is terrible to be in hospital, no doubt about that. But jaundice not treated correctly can be very serious so I would stay put if I was her. The jaundice won't have to be completely gone before she can go home so if that's all they're keeping her for, the levels must be quite high and need monitoring.

Goldie DS was a prem - 35 weeks and we had to stay 10 days in hospital mainly because he was jaundice. I understand how hard it is to be in hospital for such a long time, but it's the best place to be. After being discharged we had to go in frequently to check the level and it took us a god couple of weeks for DS' eyes to be white again. Good luck to your friend and her baby.

I don't think the light machines are available for home use and also it's not just the machines, the baby needs regular blood tests to see if the jaundice is clearing or not, which couldn't be done at home.

It's not really to do with being prem or not, even full term babies can get jaundice (tho less common) and have to go under the lights.

It would be very stressful for her to have a sick baby at home, not knowing if the jaundice is fully clear or not, so although hospital is horrible, home could be worse in some ways...

Thanks guys. Yes you are right. Luckily came out yest & got to keep going back in for tests etc. fingers crossed will be all sorted soon

Glad he's out, all the best to your friend.