Newborn jaundice is common and usually causes a temporary yellow color in a baby’s skin or eyes during the first week of life. Most cases get better with time and good feeding, but some babies need a bilirubin check and prompt treatment to keep levels in a safe range.
If your baby looks more yellow, is hard to wake, is feeding poorly, or the yellow color is spreading below the chest, call your pediatrician the same day. Our pediatric team at Omega Pediatrics can examine your baby, check bilirubin if needed, and guide you on follow-up or treatment.
What is jaundice in newborns?
Jaundice happens when bilirubin builds up in a baby’s blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance made when the body breaks down old red blood cells. Newborns often produce more bilirubin than older children and adults, and their livers need a little time after birth to clear it efficiently.
As bilirubin rises, the skin and the whites of the eyes can look yellow. Jaundice often starts on the face and can move down to the chest, belly, and legs as the level increases. Mild jaundice can be part of a normal newborn transition, but the timing, bilirubin level, and how your baby is acting all matter.
Because bilirubin levels can rise quickly in the first few days, follow-up after hospital discharge is important. This is especially true for babies who go home early, were born premature, or are having trouble feeding.
How common is newborn jaundice?
Jaundice is very common. It affects about 6 in 10 full-term newborns and even more premature babies during the first week of life. Many babies do not need treatment, but they may still need monitoring to make sure bilirubin stays in a safe range.
Premature babies are at higher risk because their livers are less mature. Babies who are not feeding well, are losing too much weight, or are not having enough wet or dirty diapers may also be more likely to develop higher bilirubin levels.
What causes jaundice in newborns?
Most newborn jaundice is related to normal changes after birth. During pregnancy, the placenta helps remove bilirubin. After delivery, your baby’s liver takes over, and that adjustment can take several days.
Common causes and risk factors include:
- Normal newborn adjustment: The liver needs time to process bilirubin well.
- Higher red blood cell turnover: Newborns have more red blood cells, and those cells break down after birth.
- Prematurity: Babies born early are more likely to have higher or longer-lasting jaundice.
- Feeding problems: Poor latch, low milk intake, or infrequent feeding can make jaundice worse.
- Bruising from birth: Bruising or a cephalohematoma can increase bilirubin production.
- Blood type incompatibility: In some babies, blood type differences can cause red blood cells to break down faster.
- Family history: A sibling who needed phototherapy can raise the risk.
- Less common medical causes: Infection, liver problems, enzyme deficiencies, or inherited conditions may also cause jaundice.
Jaundice that starts in the first 24 hours after birth is not considered normal and needs immediate medical evaluation.
Types of newborn jaundice
Physiologic jaundice
This is the most common type. It usually starts around day 2 or 3, peaks over the next few days, and improves within 1 to 2 weeks in full-term babies.
Breastfeeding jaundice
This can happen in the first week when a baby is not getting enough milk. The focus is usually on improving latch, feeding frequency, and milk transfer, not stopping breastfeeding.
Breast milk jaundice
This usually appears after the first week and can last longer. Babies with breast milk jaundice are usually feeding well, gaining weight, and otherwise doing well. Breastfeeding can usually continue.
Pathologic jaundice
This is less common but more serious. It may begin in the first 24 hours, rise quickly, or happen along with poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, fever, or pale stools. It needs prompt evaluation.
Signs and symptoms parents should watch for
The most obvious sign is yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes. In natural light, you may notice it first on the face. As levels rise, the yellow color may spread downward.
Same-day and next-day appointments available.
Call your pediatrician if your baby has:
- Yellowing of the face or eyes
- Yellow color spreading to the chest, belly, arms, or legs
- More yellow color from one day to the next
- Trouble waking for feeds
- Poor feeding or weak sucking
- Too few wet or dirty diapers
- Unusual fussiness or limpness
- Dark urine
- Pale, gray, or white stools
- Fever or signs of illness
Seek urgent care right away if your baby is very hard to wake, refuses feeds, has a fever, seems floppy, or develops jaundice in the first 24 hours of life.
How jaundice is diagnosed
Jaundice is diagnosed with a physical exam and a bilirubin measurement. Your baby’s age in hours matters because bilirubin levels are interpreted differently at 2 days old than at 5 days old.
Bilirubin can be checked in two main ways:
- Transcutaneous bilirubin: A small device placed on the skin estimates the bilirubin level.
- Blood bilirubin test: A blood sample gives a more exact level and may be needed if the skin reading is high or treatment is being considered.
Our pediatric team may also review feeding, weight change, diaper output, gestational age, bruising, and blood type history. If the bilirubin level is elevated, your baby may need repeat checks to make sure it is improving.
How newborn jaundice is treated
Treatment depends on your baby’s bilirubin level, age in hours, gestational age, and overall health. Many babies only need close follow-up and better feeding support. Others need phototherapy.
Frequent feeding
Feeding often helps bilirubin leave the body through stool. Newborns typically need to feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. If breastfeeding is painful, your baby is too sleepy to feed, or you are worried about milk intake, ask for help right away.
Phototherapy
Phototherapy uses a special blue light to help the body break down bilirubin. It is a standard, safe treatment for babies whose bilirubin reaches a level where treatment is recommended. Some babies receive phototherapy in the hospital, and in select cases home phototherapy may be considered if it is appropriate and close follow-up is available.
Treating the underlying cause
If jaundice is related to dehydration, blood type incompatibility, infection, or another medical problem, treatment also focuses on that cause.
Sunlight is not a reliable or safe treatment plan for newborn jaundice. If you think your baby looks yellow, the safest next step is a medical evaluation.
When should parents call the pediatrician?
Call the same day if your newborn looks yellow, especially if the color is getting darker, spreading below the chest, or happening along with feeding problems or sleepiness. It is always better to call than to wait and wonder.
The Omega Pediatrics team can help determine whether your baby needs a bilirubin check, feeding support, or close follow-up after discharge. Early evaluation can prevent complications and give parents peace of mind.
Can newborn jaundice be prevented?
Not all jaundice can be prevented, but early feeding and timely follow-up can lower the chance that bilirubin will rise too high. Helpful steps include:
- Feed your baby often in the first days of life
- Track wet and dirty diapers
- Attend your newborn follow-up visit after discharge
- Call if your baby is too sleepy to feed or is not latching well
- Ask about bilirubin results before leaving the hospital if they were checked
Bottom line for parents
Newborn jaundice is common and often mild, but it should never be ignored. If your baby looks yellow or is not feeding well, contact your pediatrician so your baby can be checked and treated if needed.
