Jaundice in Newborns
Jaundice is a very common finding in newborns; according to the March of Dimes jaundice occurs in 60 percent of all new babies. It happens when there is too much bilirubin (a yellow pigment) in the blood, and makes the skin and whites of the eyes turn a shade of yellow. Before leaving the hospital, the newborn should be checked for jaundice. They can check this with a skin sensor test or a blood test (blood test is more accurate, and recommended for babies with darker skin tones).
A few days after birth the skin may start to look a shade of yellow. Often times, this is corrected naturally without any treatment, but if the baby has severe jaundice, it may become very serious. Babies should be examined for jaundice at their newborn check-up three to five days after birth.
Why does jaundice occur? Jaundice is an excess of bilirubin. When red blood cells die (this is very normal, and occurs everyday throughout life) they release hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying component), which is converted into bilirubin. Normally, the liver takes this bilirubin and removes it from the body through bowel movements. Newborns happen to break down a lot of red blood cells (more than other times in life) and this can be a lot for a new liver to handle. So as bilirubin, this yellow pigment, is building up in the blood it starts to shade the skin.
Does breastfeeding lead to jaundice? It has been mentioned that breastfed babies have a greater chance of developing jaundice. This not necessarily the case, and is contributed more to a lack of calorie consumption and dehydration. Unlike formula feeds where the mother can note an exact amount of nutrition the newborn is taking in, breastfeeding requires a good latch and swallow between mom and baby. This may be a little difficult, especially the first days out of the hospital, and it’s the lack of enough nutrition that leads to jaundice. For this reason, breastfeeding moms should feed at least eight to 12 times per day to help prevent or reduce bilirubin levels.
How do you tell if your baby is developing jaundice? The first thing to change is usually the yellowing of skin around the face and whites of the eyes.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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