Jaundice

Many infants develop jaundice, a yellowish-orange tinge to their skin, in the first few days of life. Most often this condition is not a problem, and should resolve within one or two weeks.

However, if the jaundice is more severe, treatment will most likely be necessary. When the jaundice level becomes too high, it can be dangerous to your baby’s developing nervous system.

If your baby looks jaundiced in the first few days after birth, your baby’s healthcare provider or nurse may use a skin test or blood test to check your baby’s bilirubin level.

After you leave the hospital, if you think your baby has developed jaundice, or the yellowish color has gotten more severe, call your baby’s healthcare provider.

The color change progresses from head to toe, so a baby with mild jaundice may appear yellow only on his face, while one with increasing, more severe jaundice, will look more yellow on the chest.

As the jaundice progresses, it may move to the baby’s arms or legs or white parts of the eyes. Your healthcare provider may want to test a small sample of your baby’s blood to measure the level of bilirubin causing the jaundice and determine whether treatment is needed.

Most commonly, when treatment is needed, a technique called phototherapy, or light treatment is used. This method is safe and effective, and can be done in the hospital or home setting, depending on the situation.

Be sure to keep your follow-up appointment with your baby’s healthcare provider.

If your baby has jaundice, or you are not sure, please ask questions. Breastfeeding babies need to breastfeed frequently. This means10–12 times a day, with a minimum of eight feedings in 24 hours.

If your baby does not look or act right, you need to call your baby’s healthcare provider right away.