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Phototherapy Frequently Asked Questions |
 Q. How long will my baby need phototherapy?
A. Treatment time varies from baby to baby, and your doctor will prescribe the amount of time based on the levels of bilirubin in your baby's blood. Normal treatment time is 24 hours a day (except bathing) for 2-4 days. You should not use the baby's skin color as a basis for the severity of jaundice. Your baby will have daily blood tests done to determine the exact levels of bilirubin.
Q. Can I hold and feed my baby while using the phototherapy machine?
A. Yes, you can hold and feed your baby without interrupting the treatment. You can continue with all of your baby's normal routines, EXCEPT FOR BATHING while your baby receives treatment.
Q. Does the phototherapy unit put out heat?
A. The illuminator box may get hot, but there is no heat transferred through the fiber optic cable to the light panel, so no heat will come in contact with the baby.
Q. Can my baby get electrocuted if the light panel cover gets wet?
A. No. The fiber optic cable does not transmit ay electricity. The cable only transmits light.
Q. How often should the panel cover be changed?
A. The panel cover should only be changed when it becomes soiled or wet.
Q. Can the phototherapy unit be moved?
A. The unit cannot be moved while it is hot. Turn the unit off and let it sit for 10 minutes to cool down before it is moved. Moving a hot light can cause the bulb to break.
Q. Why is my baby's skin a different color in the area that the fiber optic panel has been covering?
A. The skin in direct contact with the pad is the first area where the bilirubin is broken down. This is not harmful, and since the bilirubin is in the blood, as the blood circulates to the lighted area, the rest of the bilirubin will be removed. As the bilirubin levels start to approach a normal level, all of the baby's skin will return to a normal color.
Q. Can I get two lights, one for the front and one for the back?
A. No. Insurance companies will not pay for more than one unit, and since the blood is constantly circulating through the body, the bilirubin in the blood will cycle past the light.
Q. How often should I change the vest?
A. Change the vest when it becomes soiled or wet. You do not need to change the vest every time the diaper is changed.
Q. Should I protect my baby's eyes from the light?
A. Eye protection is not necessary when the pad is wrapped around the baby. Since any bright light can affect the baby's eyes, you should always turn the unit off before removing the panel. Also, never let your baby's face lie directly on the lighted part of the pad.
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