Question
A female infant is 18 days old, and her bilirubin level has dropped from 12.3 to over 8 points from the day before. However, she started crying excessively at noon a day ago, which continued until midnight before she returned to normal. There were no abnormalities in her drinking or eating, and her body temperature was also normal. Does high jaundice in newborns cause crying and distress?
Answer
The infant may still have jaundice issues, and the crying might be an abnormal manifestation. It is recommended to give the baby some cooling and moisture-reducing granules to alleviate the symptoms. Additionally, the mother can drink tea made from Yin Chen, Jiezi, or Bai Mao Gen to help the baby expel jaundice through breastfeeding. At the same time, both mother and baby should avoid spicy and fried foods. It is suggested to regularly check the baby’s condition and follow appropriate treatment as advised by a doctor.