JAUNDICE: A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.
High levels of bilirubin — usually above 25 mg — can cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or other forms of brain damage in some babies.
Not what a new mom wants to hear her baby has. Even though everybody will tell you it is common and will go away - it really doesn't make you feel much better.
The day after we came home from the hospital with Leo... back for blood tests. Poor guy was poked in each heel and the nurse seemed to just squeeze and squeeze. And when that didn't work... resort to draining his little vein like you would an adult. Mom was a crying wreck. But, dad, who hates needles with a passion came through to hold the little guy and calm him down. High levels of Jaundice it was and over came the Billilights to our house that Leo would have to wear non-stop (except for a diaper change) for the next 48 hours. Quite an exhausting and trying time for new mommy and daddy. But, after treatment was done - our little guy was no longer yellow and all better!
The pictures our of little Leo with the Billlight paddles on.. much like a Glow Worm (remember those?) hence... Glow Baby!
2 comments:
Still handsome!
Adorable baby! keep writing more stories!!
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