The Bili-Bed

On Monday, Alayna had her first appointment to see her pediatrician. When we checked out of the hospital, her bilirubin count was at 9.9. She is very sleepy and not a great eater, so that contributed to it going up to the danger level of 15.9. Yikes! The scary number for her weight class is 18, at which point she would be admitted to the hospital. In order to avoid that, the doctor ordered us a phototherpy unit...aka...the bili-bed. She has been resting comfortably on the lights, 24 hr/day for the past 2 days. The only time we can take her off is to eat...which we have been forcing her awake every 3 hours to nurse and supplement with 2 oz of formula...it's a battle to keep her awake that long.

After 2 days and 3 doctor/lab visits, the bilirubin count has gone from 15.9 to 14.7 to 9.5! Hooray! We are done and now need to get her nursing and off the bottle.

I seriously cannot get enough pictures of Sammie and Alayna. They can't seem to get enough of each other. Sam will hold her while she watches a show...sometimes close to an hour!

p.s.
Pregnancy hormones are NOTHING compared to postpartum hormones. I am starving all the time, can't get enough bananas to fill my craving and can cry and cry and cry. You can imagine what a wreck I turned into when this jaundice and feeding became a concern. Thanks to all those that have had to endure the tears. :)