When Ian (my first) was born in 2004, they performed a standard Bilirubin test on him to check his jaundice levels – he was a touch yellow. The day he was born he was a 10 (normal is between 1-12), as time went on, the level escalated to 22 which is one point short of being hospitalised. To lower his levels we had to keep the machine pictured below in his cot/crib to lower it through phototherapy. He had to have the string cap on with the cotton pads covering his eyes.
At a time where I was elated we finally had our little baby after struggling so long with infertility, it was also heart wrenching and difficult. I couldn’t hold or be with him for longer than his feedings or to change his nappy/diaper; he had to go straight back in there. I can’t tell you how much that ached. I felt so helpless and worried all the time. That week dragged on and on. Through the treatment and multiple heel sticks his levels dropped and life suddenly resumed. He was 3 months old before the jaundice completely left, the white of his eyes being the last to recover. I have never been so grateful for the power of prayer and the blessing of having a second child with no jaundice issues.
a Brit different 
Ah bless. It’s those bloody heel pricks that get me. Why they think they don’t hurt the babies I’ll never know.
Aww, it’s SO HARD not being able hold and snuggle with them when during that time. Even though I’ve treated hundreds of babies with biliruben, it killed me to see my own child under those lamps away from me. 3 months is quite a long haul 😦
He is a cutie pie suntanning though.
How hard that must have been. Preschool! yeah. I thought Zach going to kindergarten would be no big deal, but I moped around for about three days. I love being able to go back to the store with just one of my fellows they, because they can get in so much more trouble together. : )
And he turned out to be such a beautiful boy. God bless you and yur family.
Wow…three months is such a long time. How hard for both your baby and his mama!
Oh…our photohunt is here: http://twolives.aminus3.com/
(WordPress just wants to post my personal blog!)
awww *hugs**
Oh my! How you made it through?! I would have gone crazy I’m sure of it. I don’t have children, but I know I would have had heartache just the same.
I can only imagine how hard that must have been – especially after having waited so long for him.
Wow…how hard was that? I mean you have to recover from birth…learn to breastfeed…AND deal with that! My babies always got jaundice but it usually was gone after a couple of days…so I can only imagine! 🙂
You didn’t!! But, I’m glad you did!! I”m adding you!! YAY. I’m so happy you stopped by!! I missed you!! have a great weekend and can’t wait to catch up with you!