starciv14 t1_jch3qkp wrote on March 16, 2023 at 7:57 PM

Ok I'm a float nurse but I work mom baby often enough to answer this.

This would be done in a panda baby warmer or equivalent, which is very comfortable for baby.

Blood tests are sent to check bilirubin level. You can simply trend labs and stop the light when it's appropriate. We know the light we use doesn't harm babies when used appropriately. We have to draw blood for many other reasons in the first 24 hours of life, so yes it's an extra heel stick or 2 for the baby.

I'm not saying we shouldn't do better and optimize here, but I just wanted to communicate that neonatal jaundice happens a lot and it's pretty easily solved the overwhelming majority of the time, unless the kiddo has something very serious going on. My little rural hospital has been doing this easily for a decade

ForAFriendAsking t1_jci4gdc wrote on March 17, 2023 at 12:05 AM

Does sunlight also cure it?

DixieCretinSeaman t1_jcl70zh wrote on March 17, 2023 at 5:08 PM

I believe it does, but the blue light is faster. And not every baby is born someplace sunny!

ForAFriendAsking t1_jcla2vv wrote on March 17, 2023 at 5:27 PM

Thanks for the info!

DixieCretinSeaman t1_jclruyc wrote on March 17, 2023 at 7:22 PM

I was curious and found this article from 2015. Apparently sunlight is just as effective but the concern is exposing the newborn to sunburn and overheating.

ForAFriendAsking t1_jcm5ejd wrote on March 17, 2023 at 8:51 PM

Thanks for the info!

DixieCretinSeaman t1_jcl6i5v wrote on March 17, 2023 at 5:05 PM

Yeah, both of my kids were born jaundiced bc of a mismatch in blood types with my wife. They put them under a blue light and in my eldest’s case they had us keep her in a special blue light blanket for a few days. It was very straightforward and the kids were fine!