Dos and don’ts when your newborn has jaundice

No matter how ready you are, parenthood is a whole new world ready to greet you with many surprises at every turn. Today, we will discuss one of the experiences that many parents, if not all, will experience in their journey of raising a newborn — jaundice. 

Jaundice in newborns is a common occurrence. The easiest way to determine whether your baby is jaundiced or not is by looking at their skin and the whites of their eyes. When a baby’s blood contains an excessive amount of bilirubin, their skin and the whites of their eyes turn yellow indicating that jaundice occurs.

Bilirubin, to put it simply, is a natural pigment produced by the body during the breakdown of red blood cells. Usually, the liver processes, recycles and excretes it in the form of baby’s stools. A baby’s jaundice is a sign that either his liver is not processing bilirubin efficiently enough or his body is producing too much of it. 

Causes of baby jaundice

Jaundice in newborns typically occurs due to their livers still developing. Nevertheless, according to the American Liver Foundation (2023), there are other situations that also contribute to the problem.

• The blood type of the baby does not match that of the mother
• Baby has polycythemia (born with excessive red blood cells)
• Baby has sepsis (blood infection)

• Baby was bruised during delivery
• Baby swallowed blood during birth
• The mother has diabetes

Now that you are aware of the causes and symptoms of jaundice in babies, here are some dos and don’ts when dealing with it.

Remember, the severity of jaundice can vary depending on the baby. Hence, make sure to always follow the guidance of your healthcare provider for the best care for your little one!

Reference

Rivera, W. (2023). Jaundice in Newborns: Facts, Causes & Symptoms. American Liver Foundation. https://liverfoundation.org/liver-diseases/complications-of-liver-disease/jaundice-in-newborns/