Infant Phototherapy/Bilibeds

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

Hi all. Right now, we treat our infants with phototherapy while they're in an isolette. We are looking at more 'family friendly' ways to treat this population of infants. 99% of the time, the infants stay in the nursery under the lights and are taken back to mom for feedings. We're looking into omitting the isolette and using a bilibed, like the Natus neoBLUE, that just sits in the crib. Some of the concerns from the nurses are, maintaining the baby's temperature since it's not in the isolette. If you use the bilibed, have you had issues with cold babies? I've used non-isolette phototherapy set ups at another hospital, and don't remember having temp issues. Any info would be awesome!! Looking forward to hearing what ya'll do for these phototherapy babies! Thanks!!

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Specializes in NICU.

We use GE BiliSoft Bili blankets for babies that can be held.

BiliSoft Phototherapy System - Phototherapy - Maternal-Infant Care - Products

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

We use the BiliSoft as well.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Stable term and near term infants do well temperature-wise with bili blankets. My youngest was a 36 weeker on home phototherapy in the dead of winter 19 years ago. Worked like a charm.

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Our babies have no problems with bili blankets and overhead lights. If they are SGA or preterm then they go in an isolette. We check temps q4h. I also put blankets around the overhead lights to prevent drafts. I roll up blankets and make a little nest for baby, to help them feel more cozy.

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Yeah, our babies who are term do fine with the bili blanket. It's nice because they can continue treatment while breastfeeding. Usually they go back in the isolette after being fed, but we allow the isolettes to be in the room with mom. (Which is controversial and definitely not always a good idea.)

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If the mom plans to stay with the baby, we bring the isolette into a room with the baby and do double phototherapy with lights and a bili blanket. Our babies only go to the nursery if mom plans to leave.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

We use the NeoBlue & haven't had any temp issues with our term otherwise healthy ones.

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