Linnea has jaundice. Matilda had it too. Hers was worse. She was a pound lighter than Linnea and I was a breastfeeding disaster. I think it was a combination of first-time parent stress, trying to pump too soon and my boobs just not getting the memo.
Matilda spent some time on a bili bed in the hospital and had to spend a few hours there after I was discharged. Then they sent her home with a portable spatula-shaped bili light which was super fun to try to get her to sleep on.
So far, Linnea's jaundice doesn't require the lights. Instead, she's currently napping in a laundry basket in the dining room with the sun on her face. She's got a spare pound to spread the blood cells around in and this time the nursing is going swimmingly. I still have a pretty slow let-down, but Linnea's diapers and occasional spitting up are proof that they are actually working. It's blowing my mind, I'll tell you what. Everytime she squeezes her body around mine, grunts and lets one off, I mentally punch the air. Newborn diaper-changing is neverending but I'll take it over crystals in the diaper and blind panic over her consumption and output anyday.
The thing that is freaking me out about the breastfeeding this time around is my rack. My breasts are so big I'm terrified of them. It feels like they are filled with electricity. If they weren't attached to my body, I'd run away from them.
Matilda is pretty interested in them, however. The first few times she caught on to what I was doing with Linnea, there were tears and demands of "I need that." She seems to have settled into "Neea eat nipple" now, which is much better.
Linnea's first pediatric appointment is tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed her level is still low enough to avoid taking her back to the hospital for tanning sessions.
Comments (8)
Charlie was jaundice too (if you look at my pictures from when she's new you can see the yellow). I spent days obsessively pressing my fingers into her legs to see if she was yellow there because the doctor told me as long as it stayed above her legs, she was fine. And she was fine. But I was obsessive. But the breasts! I thank my lucky stars I had a nursing toddler to help with the engorgement. Because. Damn.
Bravada bras is all I'm saying. Not much to look at but ahhhhh.
Posted by jesamin | February 11, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on February 11, 2007 10:56
i know right? I'm storing enough power in these things right now to light up Philly for a night.
Posted by atomic | February 11, 2007 11:17 AM
Posted on February 11, 2007 11:17
my son was also jaundiced, and i did what your doing lots of nursing, and moving the baby around to the sunny spots of the room.
and you described the feeling perfectly, when the milk arrives.
ZAP!!!
Posted by tracy | February 11, 2007 4:36 PM
Posted on February 11, 2007 16:36
"Neea eat nipple" ?? Just stop it. That's too much cute.
Leo was jaundiced, too, and all of it resolved with no hospital visits. Hoping the same for Linnea!
Posted by christarenee | February 11, 2007 5:51 PM
Posted on February 11, 2007 17:51
Is Matilda taking a picture of Linnea in this shot? What a little paparazz!!
Posted by Ange Paton | February 11, 2007 7:46 PM
Posted on February 11, 2007 19:46
our man was pale orange for a while, too, and it eventually went away. good luck with that and I don't envy you the rack, I remember that oh-so-painful stage too well. good luck!!
Posted by susanna | February 11, 2007 10:01 PM
Posted on February 11, 2007 22:01
Philly thanks you for the power surge. Best wishes that that amazing rack and the sunlight erase the yellow soon!
Posted by juliloquy | February 12, 2007 11:09 AM
Posted on February 12, 2007 11:09
My wife should be the one commenting here, i suppose, but, eh, she's grading papers for 10th grade english right now.
Our son Aidan was a bit orangina at birth, too. After about 2 or 3 weeks he looked just fine, though. :)
Glad to hear how much fun you are having with 2 babies! (we're thinking 2 is good, too!)
Your kids are wonderful. Enjoy!
Posted by Luke Dorny | February 18, 2007 1:57 PM
Posted on February 18, 2007 13:57