New jaundice solution help families go home for treatment

A new solution called ‘BiliCocoon’ has been developed to support Neonatal Jaundice, which is fantastic news for families, as they can go home and continue with treatment for jaundice, with the BiliCocoon being a portable, wearable phototherapy device.

Baby Chester was officially the first baby to use the BiliCocoon at home, and Chester’s Mum, Kirsty, tells us:

'When Chester was a week old, we were sent to the Grange to have Chester's bloods done for possible treatment for jaundice, as his levels on the midwife's machine had measured quite high. The bloods came back as needing treatment, and I was devastated, as our daughter also had jaundice and had to go under phototherapy back in 2019. It was very difficult trying to feed, comfort her and maintain that while she stayed under light as much as possible.

However, this time, we were incredibly lucky to be told that instead of having to stay in, we could treat Chester's jaundice at home using the 'BiliCocoon' machine. I felt so much relief knowing we wouldn't have to stay in and we could all go home together as a family.

Our and Chester's experience with the Cocoon was amazing. It took the daunting feeling away of him having jaundice (which I had felt with my daughter), and he loved being swaddled and snuggled up in the Cocoon. He slept like a dream!

The staff at the Grange were absolutely amazing in their support with it all, and I want to say a massive thank you to them!'

Rebecca Powell, Deputy Manager Care Closer to Home, and Sharon Driscoll, Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner, said:

‘Within ABUHB, the Grange University Hospital Paediatric Department and Care Closer to Home team work in collaboration to provide high-quality care for the patients and their families within the home setting.

We can provide this solution for babies born 37 weeks and over, with no risk factors in their home, to encourage continuity of family life and consistent treatment, even when feeding.’