Glowing blanket delivers cozy therapy for jaundiced babies

St. Petersburg, Florida - Just four days old, little Emilia isn't dancing quite yet, but there is a light in her life.

"That's her night light; she's ready for the disco," Emilia's mom Alicia says with a laugh.

The blue light shining on Emilia is helping her lose her yellow. Like many babies, Emilia has jaundice, a yellow staining of the skin. Jaundice is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood. Phototherapy or light therapy is the usual treatment and All Children's Hospital has found a cozy way to deliver it. 

Photo Gallery: Baby blanket delivers cozy therapy

Emilia is wrapped up in a special glowing blanket. "This is very soft for her," says Alicia fingering the blanket.

All Children's still uses an older style light attached to baby beds, but the blanket has a big advantage in portability.

"They're very flexible, they're easy to maneuver," says Cass Lockwood, assistant director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

With the BiliSoft blanket moms can hold, feed and rock their babies without interrupting their therapy, so the blanket is beneficial for baby bonding.

"The nurses can give the best medical care, but they can't give Mommy's love... isn't that right?" says Alicia cradling Emilia in her arms.

And with the therapy nearly continuous, Emilia will soon sport just a healthy glow, instead of a blue one.