Babies can be jaundiced due to an underdeveloped liver/ being born prematurely, low oral intake, blood incompatibility between mom and baby.
As babies take in more breastmilk or formula, and as they're passing stools regularly, bilirubin levels start to fall. Increased bilirubin gives babies a yellow appearance to their skin tone and whites of their eyes. By taking in more colostrum and breastmilk, this aids in infant digestion and elimination of jaundice.
How do I know if my baby could have jaundice?
The whites of the eyes are yellow. Babies who have more melanin in their skin will also have yellow tinted eyes if they are jaundiced.
If you have an overly sleepy baby that can be difficult to arouse (this can be a medical emergency!)
If baby’s crying is demonstrating extreme discomfort, or is a high pitch
(Side note: Some babies have “colic,” indigestion, or other stomach discomfort and gas that could also lead them to cry, but this does not necessarily mean they are jaundice)
Bilirubin levels can be confirmed with blood work. Some pediatric offices may have handheld bilirubin meters that they can hold up to the skin to determine bilirubin levels in the body.
Untreated jaundice can be very serious, leading to a condition called Kernicterus. This can impact the brain’s development and function and in worst cases can also lead to brain damage.
How can a baby get better from jaundice?
Babies can overcome jaundice with:
good oral intake of breastmilk, or formula
sun exposure / blue light therapy (bili blankets, incubators with phototherapy),
and TLC (tender loving care).
In some instances, if your nearest hospitals do not carry donor breastmilk, or if you are not able to obtain donor breastmilk, and if you have an inadequate milk supply, sterile formula should be used. The baby must eat.
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