Baby Clarisse was scheduled for a visit to a paediatrician 6 days after she was born. I was shocked to see Clarisse’s bilirubin level rising to 16. Jaundice with bilirubin level above 13 is considered high. On the day she was discharged from the hospital, Clarisse had a 9 on her bilirubin level and wasn’t considered to be suffering from jaundice.

I was adviced to admit her for phototherapy. She was stripped down to her diaper, except for an eye patch protecting her eyes, and placed under ultraviolet light therapy to speed up her body’s removal of bilirubin. The hospital’s phototherapy room is a small room houses several newborn cots with ultraviolet lamps. No parents or individuals are allowed to stay overnight. I was worried and sad as I couldn’t bear being away from her. Moreover, I wanted to breastfeed Clarisse as much as possible so I made several trips in a day to the hospital just for that. It was painful having to walk and move about during the first week after delivery but I had no choice. We’re grateful we live just 5 mins away from the hospital.

My husband and I were very worried so we went to the hospital very often. We would arrive in the morning. Eat out of our lunch boxes. Stay until the dinnertime. Go back for a quick home-cooked dinner. Then back to the hospital again until midnight. This went on for 2 days so that I could breastfeed Clarisse as much as possible.

On the 3rd day, a blood test was carried out on Clarisse to check her level of jaundice. It’s a relief seeing it drop to 12. The paediatrician suggested I should let Clarisse remain one more day in phototherapy but I refused and insisted on taking her home. Clarisse was discharged from hospital but as a precaution I would need to expose Clarisse to morning sunlight shining through the windows each day for half an hour until she recovers from jaundice completely. Well, I saw improvements in Clarisse’s complexion each passing day. I also breast feed her more often because I was told that breast milk can be help reduce jaundice.