Question
The newborn was born on November 6th and the bilirubin level reached 289 on November 21st, prompting hospital admission for light therapy. The child was discharged on November 26th with a total bilirubin level of 113.9 and direct bilirubin of 21.3. The doctor recommended temporarily stopping breastfeeding. How should one handle the issue of neonatal jaundice in this situation?
Answer
Based on the information provided, the doctor’s suggestion to temporarily stop breastfeeding does not mean that you will not be able to continue breastfeeding. Typically, you can resume breastfeeding after a temporary halt for three days. Guidance suggests that if the baby experiences recurrent jaundice but it is mild, this is primarily due to the use of anti-jaundice medication and the characteristics of breastmilk jaundice. After stopping breastfeeding for three days, you can continue breastfeeding.