When a newborn doesn’t receive the right amount of breastmilk in the days after it’s born, it can cause breastfeeding failure jaundice — also known as suboptimal intake jaundice. When the baby isn’t getting enough milk, bilirubin isn’t flushed out through bowel movements and instead builds up in the bloodstream.
Symptoms
- Yellow skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes
- Poor feeding or weak latch
- Very few wet or dirty diapers
- Excessive sleepiness or trouble waking to feed
- Rapid weight loss after birth
What causes breastfeeding failure jaundice?
Several factors play a role in a baby developing breastfeeding failure jaundice. If the baby isn’t latching properly or a poor feeding technique is being used, it can be difficult for the baby to feed. It’s also extremely important that the baby is fed frequently and given enough time to try to feed.
A lack of lactation support or being discharged too soon from the hospital without a proper feeding assessment can also lead to breastfeeding failure jaundice.
How can medical malpractice make breastfeeding failure jaundice worse?
Medical staff have a duty to assess whether the baby is feeding adequately, to monitor any weight loss, and to check the baby’s diaper output. Bilirubin testing should also be done before the baby and mother are discharged from the hospital. The newborn should not be sent home without a proper follow-up plan in place to monitor the baby’s ongoing health.
It’s also critical that medical staff don’t delay phototherapy or other treatments that are proven to help improve jaundice symptoms.
Serious injuries caused by breastfeeding failure jaundice
When the bilirubin levels get too high, it can cause dangerous and potentially permanent injuries to the newborn. Too much bilirubin can cause permanent brain damage — also known as Kernicterus — that can severely harm the child’s future.
Along with brain damage, the baby can suffer from developmental delays, hearing loss and movement disorders.
If your child suffered brain damage, developmental delays, or serious complications from breastfeeding failure jaundice, you may have legal options available to you. Weisser Law is here to help your family uncover what went wrong, identify who is responsible, and fight for the compensation needed to protect your child’s future.
Act now to schedule your free, zero-pressure consultation from the trusted, local legal experts at Weisser Law.