Cranky Luther

I was regularly told by older folks that babies coming back from holidays, will be 'hong sim' (in Hokkien roughly means - over stimulated). And Luther prove that 100%.

On the 3rd day of Chinese New Year, we returned back to KL from Port Dickson. All of us were tired from the traveling and the hustle and bustle of CNY. Luther was unusually cranky and wouldn't take his usual 4oz on his usually accurate timing. Believe me, my baby do not miss his feeding for anything other than sleep and even that is occasional. Actually, he hasn't been feeding well starting 2nd day of CNY taking only 1 - 2 oz each time.

My so-called Uniform

Yu Yee Oil

Nonetheless, he was still smiley the whole afternoon and able to 'converse' with us UNTIL evening approached. I wash and change him out of his 'uniform' and into his regular comfortable pajamas top, yet, he was screaming endlessly. I though he might want direct latching and I did. He didn't take that well too. Than I recall, he hasn't poo-ed today! So I try tapping his little tummy and found it a little gassy. As usual, taught by mom, I rubbed YuYee Oil on his tummy, his back and on both his feet. Well, he did fart a lot but that didn't stop him from crying still.

His crying this time was scary to me and panicking my hubby cause his face was turning really red and his big big tears were rolling down his eyes and there was absolutely NOTHING we could do. I was already in tears feeling really rotten not being able to help my own son to relieve whatever that was bothering him. We called my mom in Singapore (she is there for holiday and to attend my uncle's birthday dinner). In tears I was asking her for advices and she said if he hasn't poo-ed, we just need to wait. He is also not eating because he is not comfortable. Just remember to feed his, even if it's 1 or 2 oz milk along with water to ease him passing motion. We wanted to wait but I was in tears and Luther was also crying. My hubby finally decided that we just bring him to the Dr to confirm he is just uncomfortable because he haven't poo-ed and eliminate other possibilities (i.e. constipation, pain, any discomfort). 

Papa trying to get Luther to take some milk

In Assunta Hospital (no regular Children Clinic nearby, so best option was to go back to the clinic in Assunta), Dr Vijaya checked on Luther and found that there was nothing wrong with him. So, Luther was just really uncomfortable being unable to poo-ed that day (it's not constipation too!). Dr Vijaya called Luther's Pediatrician, Dr Paran, to double check whether to give Luther any medication. Luther was given Duphalac to soften his poo (not a laxative). And true enough, we when back home and feed him some milk and than 2.5ml Duphalac. Within 15 minutes, his 1st poo (smelly as it is) made an exit! We were all relieve (inclusive of our Indonesian maid) and Luther was able to smile a little again.

The smile we missed the whole evening!!

That night, he still didn't take his regular 4oz but we were extremely relieve that he is taking his 2 oz without struggling and slept through the rest of the night soundly without crying or agitation. Nonetheless, Luther is still 'hong sim' the next day. Talking a lot, probably describing to his friends (toys) his adventures for the pass few days.

Our Luther's Charming smile is back!

The Day I see Yellow...

We read a lot about baby turning yellow during their 1st month after 2 to 3 days or even 1 weeks after birth.

Yes, my baby turned yellow after 3 days, as said in all books and antenatal class we attended. I was so sure Luther will be alright after a few days because I believe he was having normal Jaundice. Well, normal jaundice usually last for a few days and will be gone.

On 20th October 2011, Luther came in for his morning feed and I took him to the sun for a while before I fed him hoping that the Jaundice was not severe, at least low enough for me to bring him home. The nurse came in an told me that the Bilirubin count was a little high at 289. So, we waited for the Pediatric, Dr Paran to instruct us on the next step. The obvious was to put him to photo therapy and I hit spot-on. Almost immediately, Luther was place under the 24 hours photo therapy. 

The following day his Bilirubin count dropped but still on the higher side. It was advised to keep him under the light for another 24 hours. I was literally in tears see him going through this and prayed so hard that it will come down. MY PRAYER WAS ANSWERED!

Luther was discharged on 22nd October 2011 with bilirubin count of 133... hooray!!!!

1st day back home

However, Dr Paran has asked us to come back for another check on 25th October to see how the count when. We were devastated that it when back up to 233. Fortunately, Luther was allow to come home with the instruction of sun bathing him every morning between 8 - 11am; 10 minutes front and 10 minutes back. We were very consistent and his second check was on 27th October. I went up even higher to 269. We were almost speechless. Dr Paran still allowed Luther to go home with some medication to mature his liver faster to allow it to process the bilirubin and pass it out the body system. Of course, many people was pretty much against it saying that he should go for the photo therapy but I have faith in Dr Paran.

Sun bathing from home

We continue to sun bath Luther and gone back for his 4th check on 1st Nov. His Bilirubin count dropped, hovering around 200+. Dr. Paran said that he will stay at this level for a while cause he is being breast fed. As long as it is around 200+, Luther will be fine. And guess what!! Luther has gained weight to 3.6kg from 3.2kg within 17 days. That gave me more confidence that he is alright.

We were told to use several other methods that potentially helped to reduce jaundice. I tried and don't know if it's coincidence or real, it worked.

1. For me to eat lesser ginger or none at all for a few days.

    (Chinese 1 month confinement eats a lot of ginger to keep the body warm)

2. Bath Luther in Guiness Stout.

    (not the whole bottle but just about 125ml with normal warm water)

The day I don't see yellow has arrived. Have not confirmed it with the doctor but from his skin and the white of his eyes, I know it has reduced or even gone. The day I don't see yellow was on 7th Nov 2011.