Newborn Refusal to Feed: Is It Cause for Concern?

Question
my baby is 2 days old and has yet to eat. I am trying to breastfeed. He does not root for the nipple, open mouth turn his head when his cheek is stroked. I've also tried expressing with a breast pump and bottle feeding, with same results. He does not wake up and cry to be fed, and is sleeping a lot, very hard to wake him up . Am I worrying for nothing, since he is only 2 days old? Also he is slightly jaundiced because od not eating.Very Worried first time mom

Answer
Hello Rachel- if you are emailing me, I am assuming that you are at home- correct? You should NOT have been discharged until baby was sucking properly. This situation can become serious and you MUST get some guidance quickly. You MUST contact your nearest La Leche League Leader- call the local health unit for the number, look in the phone book under La Leche League OR go to their LLL International website and follow the links to find your nearest Leader. LLL is the TRUE expert on breastfeeding and you need them NOW. Please get back to me with how you do- Cheri.