Newborn Jaundice: How to Check Your Baby and When to Worry

Why Newborns Become Jaundiced

One of the common newborn jaundice causes is an immature liver. A newborn's liver is still developing and may take some time to remove bilirubin, the yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. Babies also have more red blood cells that break down quickly, which can cause bilirubin to build up temporarily.

This is known as physiological jaundice. It usually appears after the first 24 hours, is highest around days three to five and gradually improves within one to two weeks.

How to Check Your Baby for Jaundice

You can look for signs of jaundice at home, although visual checks are not always accurate, especially on darker skin. Here's what you can do:

• Check your baby in natural daylight rather than yellow or artificial light
• Gently press a finger on the baby's nose, forehead or chest. When the skin turns pale, check if it looks yellow
• Check the whites of the eyes and gums for a yellow colour
• In more noticeable cases, check the palms and soles for yellowing

Jaundice usually starts on the face and may gradually spread down the body. However, the extent of yellowing cannot tell you the exact bilirubin level. A bilirubin test is needed to confirm the level.

Physiological vs Pathological Jaundice

Most newborn jaundice is physiological, which is a normal part of the baby's early days and usually settles on its own. However, pathological jaundice needs closer attention as it may be linked to an underlying health problem.

Some signs that need medical attention include:

• Jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours after birth
• The yellow colour becoming more intense quickly
• Jaundice that is still clearly visible after two weeks or three weeks in premature babies
• Pale or chalky stools or unusually dark urine
• A baby who is very sleepy, feeding poorly or seems unwell
• If you notice any of these signs, it is important to have your baby checked by a doctor

When You Should Seek Help Straight Away

Contact your paediatrician or doctor urgently if:

• Jaundice appears within the first 24 hours after birth
• Your baby is difficult to wake, unusually floppy or has a high-pitched cry
• Your baby is feeding much less than usual or has fewer wet or dirty nappies
• You notice pale stools or dark urine
• The yellow colour is getting deeper quickly or spreading to the arms and legs
• Your baby was born prematurely, had a difficult birth, or has a family history of blood group problems

Even if your baby seems well, it is worth getting medical advice if you are concerned about the jaundice. A paediatrician or hospital can check the bilirubin level using a skin sensor or a small blood test.

What Happens If Newborn Jaundice Treatment Is Needed

Many babies do not need treatment beyond regular feeds and careful monitoring. When bilirubin levels are higher, phototherapy, which uses a special blue light, is usually the first step. This safe and effective newborn jaundice treatment is usually given in the hospital. In rare cases, when bilirubin levels are very high or rising quickly, other treatments may be needed. Breastfeeding can almost always continue during treatment.

Practical Tips for Parents

• Feed your baby often to help the body clear bilirubin
• Keep track of wet and dirty nappies to make sure your baby is getting enough fluids
• Do not use sunlight as a treatment at home. Medical phototherapy is safer and carefully controlled
• If your baby goes home with mild jaundice, ask when you need to come back for a follow-up

Seeing your baby turn a little yellow can be worrying, but newborn jaundice is usually temporary. Keep an eye on feeding, activity and skin colour, as these can be signs of recovery from jaundice in newborns. If you are unsure, our team at Unittas Hospital is here to help.

Most newborn jaundice is physiological, appears after the first day and fades on its own. What matters is the timing, how far down the body the yellow reaches, and how your baby is feeding. Jaundice in the first 24 hours, or still present after two weeks, is the kind that needs a doctor rather than reassurance.