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1909 Huguenot Road, Ste. 200 |
Good to Know
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Providing resources, help and encouragement is what we do. When children are ill, it effects everyone. Here we cover common infant issues with information and advice for you.
Breastfeeding and Jaundice
The occurrence of jaundice in your newborn can affect the progress of breastfeeding. One on the most common symptoms of jaundice is a sleepy baby. This sleepiness interferes with breastfeeding because the infant gets sleepy within minutes of latching on and never really vigorously sucks. It can leave a new mom both uncomfortable and stressed.
It is important to realize that this is only temporary and as the jaundice improves so will the breastfeeding.
You can do several things to improve the situation in the meantime.
- For your comfort, consider pumping your breasts after each feeding. This will provide milk for the next feeding if needed as well as train your breast to have enough milk for when the fatigue improves and the baby is very hungry.
- Sometimes adding formula supplements to the breastfeeding is helpful in decreasing the jaundice.
Studies have shown that a baby that is strictly breastfed has about 1-2 days longer of jaundice that an infant that is breastfed and given supplement.
The sooner the jaundice is treated, the sooner the breastfeeding is back on track. Most moms report that breastfeeding is a work in progress for the first 7-10 days until the baby and mom each feel comfortable.
click here for a downloadable pdf version of
Breastfeeding and Jaundice
Please contact 911 if you have an emergency, but feel free to contact us if you just require some advice or resources.
Kidz Kare office
804.794.7225
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