Newborn jaundice is one of the most common conditions affecting babies in the first few days of life. While it’s usually harmless, some cases require medical attention.
Many parents wonder:
🤔 Is jaundice dangerous?
🤔 How do I know if my baby has jaundice?
🤔 When should I call the doctor?
This guide will cover:
✔️ What jaundice is and why it happens
✔️ How to tell if your baby has jaundice
✔️ When to seek treatment
What Is Newborn Jaundice?
📌 Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by a buildup of bilirubin in the blood.
✔️ Bilirubin is a normal waste product created when red blood cells break down.
✔️ In newborns, the liver is still developing, so it may not clear bilirubin quickly.
✔️ Jaundice is very common, affecting 60% of full-term babies and 80% of preemies.
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Signs of Jaundice in Newborns
📌 Common Symptoms:
✔️ Yellowing of the skin (starts on the face, moves downward)
✔️ Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
✔️ Baby is extra sleepy and hard to wake for feeds
✔️ Baby isn’t gaining weight as expected
📌 Pro Tip: Jaundice usually peaks between days 3-5 and fades by 2 weeks old.
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When Is Jaundice a Concern?
🚩 Call the doctor if your baby has:
❌ Jaundice that appears in the first 24 hours of life (could be a sign of a serious issue).
❌ Deep yellow or orange skin tone that spreads to legs and feet.
❌ Extreme sleepiness & difficulty waking to eat.
❌ Signs of dehydration (fewer than 6 wet diapers per day).
❌ Dark-colored urine or pale stools (bilirubin should exit in stool).
💡 Related Post: Newborn Poop: What’s Normal & When to Worry
How Is Jaundice Treated?
✔️ Mild jaundice often resolves on its own as baby’s liver matures.
✔️ Frequent feeding (breast or formula) helps bilirubin pass through stool.
✔️ Sunlight exposure (indirect natural light) may help break down bilirubin.
🚨 Severe jaundice requires phototherapy.
✔️ Baby is placed under a special blue light that helps break down bilirubin.
✔️ In rare cases, babies may need a blood transfusion if bilirubin levels are dangerously high.
📌 Pro Tip: If baby is extra sleepy from jaundice, wake them to feed every 2-3 hours to help clear bilirubin faster.
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Birthify’s Expert Support for New Parents
💛 Worried about jaundice or feeding difficulties? Birthify’s newborn specialists provide real-time guidance so you can feel confident in your baby’s health and development.
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