Quick read
Key points
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Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, is very common in newborns, affecting a large proportion of babies in the first week of life. It happens because a newborn's liver is still maturing and hasn't yet caught up with processing bilirubin, a substance produced as red blood cells break down.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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Jaundice appears after day 2 of life and seems to be increasing
01 · Know
What is Jaundice in Newborn Babies?
Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, is very common in newborns, affecting a large proportion of babies in the first week of life. It happens because a newborn's liver is still maturing and hasn't yet caught up with processing bilirubin, a substance produced as red blood cells break down.
Most cases are mild and resolve on their own within one to two weeks as the liver matures, but higher levels of jaundice need monitoring and sometimes treatment, since very high bilirubin levels can, rarely, affect the brain if left untreated.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Jaundice is checked at routine newborn checks
Your baby will be checked for jaundice as part of routine newborn examinations, and if levels are borderline, a simple blood or skin test can measure bilirubin precisely to guide any treatment needed.
03 · Act
When to Contact a Doctor (Non-Emergency)
- 1Jaundice appears after day 2 of life and seems to be increasing
- 2Jaundice is still present after 2 weeks of age
- 3Your baby seems more sleepy than usual or is feeding less well
- 4You're simply unsure whether the level of yellowing is something to be concerned about
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Frequent Feeding Helps Clear Jaundice
Feeding frequently helps your baby pass bilirubin out of the body more effectively — if feeding is a struggle, seek support promptly rather than letting feeds become infrequent.
- 1Feed frequently.Regular breastfeeding or formula feeding helps clear bilirubin from the body more effectively.
- 2Watch for the yellowing to change.Check your baby's skin in natural daylight, and note whether it seems to be spreading or fading.
- 3Attend all recommended check-ups.Follow-up appointments allow bilirubin levels to be monitored if there's any concern.
- 4Monitor feeding and nappies closely.Good feeding and regular wet and dirty nappies are reassuring signs.
- 5Seek treatment promptly if advised.If phototherapy (light treatment) is recommended, this is a standard, effective, and safe treatment for higher bilirubin levels.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Jaundice in newborn babies ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Mild jaundice is extremely common in newborns and usually resolves on its own within one to two weeks as the liver matures.
Jaundice appearing in the first 24 hours of life, or a baby who is very sleepy or feeding poorly, needs urgent assessment.