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Jaundice is caused by high levels of a chemical called bilirubin in the baby's body.
- Red blood cells are being made and being broken down continually in all people, including babies before and after birth. Haemoglobin in the red blood cells breaks down into smaller chemicals including bilirubin.
- Before birth the bilirubin is carried out of the baby through the placenta, and into the mother's blood.
- When a baby is born, the baby's liver suddenly has to take over the work of getting rid of bilirubin and it can take the liver a few days to fully manage this.
Some babies will need treatment for the jaundice, while for most the jaundice will not last long (between 1 and 2 weeks) and not cause problems even without treatment.
If babies have a high level of bilirubin (the substance that causes jaundice) they may need to have phototherapy (treatment with a very bright light). The bilirubin level needs to be very high before it causes health problems for a baby.View Thread

When you took him to the pediatrician, what did he say?
If the problem persists, I would be taking him back to the doctor, or another doctor if yours isn't helping.View Thread


What causes Meckel's diverticulum?Meckel's diverticulum occurs in a fetus early in the pregnancy. Normally, the vitelline duct, which connects the growing fetus with the yolk sac, is absorbed into the fetus by the seventh week of the pregnancy. When the vitelline duct is not fully absorbed, a Meckel's diverticulum develops.
A Meckel's diverticulum may contain cells from both the stomach and pancreas. Cells from the stomach can secrete acid, which can cause ulcers and bleeding.
Who gets Meckel's diverticulum?Though about 2-3 percent of the population get Meckel's diverticulum, it causes symptoms in only a small number of those people. People can live their whole lives without ever knowing they have Meckel's diverticulum. The condition is equally common among males and females, but males are two to three times more likely to have complications.
What are the symptoms of Meckel's diverticulum?Symptoms of Meckel's diverticulum usually occur during the first year of a child's life, but can occur into adulthood.
Symptoms include:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding (which can be seen in the stool)
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Tenderness near the navel (belly button)
- Obstruction of the bowels, a blockage that keeps the contents of the intestines from passing. This can cause pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.
- Diverticulitis (swelling of the intestinal wall)
If your child exhibits any of the above symptoms, you should see your pediatrician or health care provider immediately.
How is Meckel's diverticulum diagnosed?Meckel's diverticulum can be difficult to diagnose. Many of the symptoms, such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and tenderness, can occur in several different conditions. If your child's health care provider feels that the combination of symptoms suggests Meckel's diverticulum, he or she will order certain tests. These include:
- Technetium scan: This test is a scan. Radioactive technetium is injected into the body. This substance is absorbed by stomach cells in the diverticulum and can be detected by a special camera.
- Colonoscopy: In this test, a small, flexible tube with a camera on the end is inserted into the rectum and colon to look for blockages and the cause of bleeding.
- Wireless capsule endoscopy: For this test, the patient swallows a small camera that can detect sources of bleeding in the small intestine. If your child is too young to swallow a pill, it can be placed in the stomach while your child is asleep.
Surgery to remove the diverticulum may be recommended if bleeding develops. .
What is the long-term prognosis (outlook) for patients who have Meckel's diverticulum?The long-term prognosis is excellent. Patients can expect a full recovery after treatment.View Thread

Also, is your granddaughter breastfed or formula fed? It is perfectly normal for babies (both breast and formula fed) to go up to a few days without a bowel movement and up to 10 days for breastfed only babies.
Grunting, seeming to strain and gassiness is not indicative of being constipated, nor does it typically require intervention for these things alone. Babies who have perfectly normal bowel movements can grunt and strain and not be in any pain at all. This is normal.
Now, IF your granddaughter's bowel movements are HARD nuggets, then I would suggest you contact her pediatrician for suggestions on the best way to alleviate the constipation. I would suggest more natural methods (not karo syrup), try a bit of prune juice or apple juice to help things alone. Don't look for immediate results, these things take time. I know some people might suggest sticking a thermometer in her bum, but I beg you to please refrain from sticking anything up a 2 month old's butt.View Thread

Typically, the amount per day should be between 24 and 32 ounces.
You can give an 8oz bottle with breakfast, a 4 oz bottle with mid morning snack, then have lunch with some water, another 4 oz bottle with afternoon snack, dinner and then an 8 oz bottle before bed and you've got 24oz of formula/breastmilk right there. Obviously this is just an example, but you can still give him plenty of solids and also get him the minimum daily intake of milk/formula.
Calcium is found in many other foods (Google "calcium rich foods") or you can look into giving him vitamin drops if your pediatrician thinks that could be a good idea.View Thread

I talked to his pedi and he said since there were no other symptoms, it was most likely dust irritating his nose or something like that.
He's 4 months now and I've noticed it happens a lot less now.
So, could be nothing, but if you're still worried, you should contact his doctor.View Thread

Whole cow's milk is not nutritionally complete for a child that young. Not getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals that an 8 month old gets through formula for breast milk could results in low weight, or a deficiency in key nutrients.View Thread

Don't be nervous, I know that's difficult to say. I was too and it broke my heart to think that he might not be eating enough, but he ate plenty, even if the first couple days he only ate just enough to sustain him until I picked him up and then he would immediately want to nurse.
But they won't starve themselves. I found that he wouldn't even take a bottle from me (apparently he knows I have the good stuff!) but he would at least give it a shot with my husband. Maybe have someone else trying feeding her with the bottle, and make sure you are nowhere in sight, cause once she catches sight of you, she won't want to take it either.
Best wishes mama, it'll be okay!View Thread

I also put a pillow under the head of his mattress to put it at a slight incline and that seemed to help a little as well, though around week 6 or 7, the congested/stuffy nose thing just kind of went away.
I wouldn't worry about it, if he seems otherwise normal, though if you are still concerned take him to the doctor.View Thread
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