Newborn Jaundice - Symptoms, Home Care Tips, And Red Flags

Newborn jaundice is one of the most common concerns parents notice in the first days after birth—often starting as a mild yellow tint on the face or eyes. In most babies, jaundice is temporary and harmless. But in some cases, bilirubin levels can rise too high and require urgent medical treatment.

This guide explains what newborn jaundice is, how to spot it, safe home care that actually helps, and the red flags that mean you should call your pediatrician right away (or go to emergency care). It’s written in a real‑world, parent‑friendly way—because when you’re exhausted and worried, you need clear, practical answers.

What is newborn jaundice?

Jaundice means a yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced when old red blood cells break down.

Newborns naturally have higher bilirubin for a few reasons:

They have more red blood cells than adults.
Those red blood cells break down faster after birth.
The newborn liver is still “warming up” and may be slower to process bilirubin.
Bilirubin leaves the body mainly through poop (and some through urine), so if intake is low and stools are fewer, bilirubin can build up.

Jaundice is not an infection and it is not contagious.

When does newborn jaundice usually start?

Timing matters because it helps doctors tell “typical” jaundice from potentially serious jaundice.

Typical pattern

Starts: around day 2–3 of life
Peaks: around day 3–5 (often later in premature babies)
Improves: gradually, usually by 1–2 weeks in full‑term babies

When it’s more concerning

Jaundice in the first 24 hours after birth is always treated as urgent.
Jaundice that worsens quickly, spreads to the lower body, or is paired with poor feeding/lethargy needs prompt assessment.
Jaundice lasting more than 14 days in a full‑term baby (or more than 21 days in a preterm baby) should be evaluated.

Why bilirubin can become too high

Most jaundice is physiologic (normal newborn adjustment). But bilirubin can rise more than expected when:

The baby is not getting enough milk (common in the first days if feeding is not well established)
The baby is premature (liver is less mature)
There is increased red blood cell breakdown (hemolysis)
There is a blood group incompatibility (ABO or Rh)
The baby has G6PD deficiency (more common in some populations)
There’s a large bruise or cephalohematoma (blood collection under the scalp)
The baby has an infection
There’s a rare liver/bile problem (conjugated/direct jaundice)

Types of newborn jaundice (simple explanation)

1 Physiologic jaundice (most common)

This is the classic “normal” newborn jaundice. It begins after the first day of life and resolves as feeding improves and the liver matures.

2 Breastfeeding jaundice (low intake jaundice)

Happens in the first week when a baby is not yet getting enough breast milk (for example, delayed milk “coming in,” shallow latch, sleepy baby, or infrequent feeds). Fewer poops means bilirubin isn’t leaving the body efficiently.

Key idea: this is usually a feeding and milk‑transfer issue, not “a problem with breast milk.”

3 Breast milk jaundice

A separate pattern: the baby feeds well, gains weight, and looks healthy—but jaundice persists longer (often beyond the first week and sometimes several weeks). It’s usually benign, but it still should be monitored by a clinician to be sure nothing else is going on.

4 Pathologic jaundice

This is jaundice that appears too early, rises too fast, is too high, or lasts too long—often due to hemolysis, infection, thyroid issues, or liver/bile conditions.

Symptoms of newborn jaundice parents can spot

What you might notice

Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
Yellowing starting on the face, then moving down to the chest, belly, arms, and legs as levels rise
Baby seems sleepier than usual

How to check at home (including darker skin tones)

Go to bright natural light (near a window in daytime is okay, but don’t place baby in direct sun).
Gently press a finger on the baby’s forehead or nose for 2–3 seconds.
Release and look at the skin:
- If it looks yellow as it returns to color, jaundice may be present.

On deeper skin tones, jaundice can be harder to see on the skin. The best places to look:

Whites of the eyes
Gums/inner lips
Palms and soles (later sign)

How do I know if it’s mild or severe?

You cannot reliably judge bilirubin level just by eye, even if you’ve had a baby before. Two babies can look similar but have very different bilirubin readings.

That’s why clinicians use:

A transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) device on the skin
Or a blood test (total serum bilirubin, TSB)

Doctors interpret the result based on:

Baby’s age in hours
Gestational age (weeks of pregnancy at birth)
Risk factors (like hemolysis or prematurity)

Newborn jaundice and feeding – what parents should do first

If there is one home action that truly helps, it’s this:

Feed early, feed often, feed effectively

Aim for 8–12 feeds in 24 hours in the early days (breast or formula).
Don’t let a very sleepy newborn go long stretches without feeding, especially in the first week.

Why this matters:

More milk → more calories and hydration → more poops
More poops → bilirubin leaves the body

Quick signs baby is getting enough milk

Baby is actively sucking and swallowing during feeds
After feeds, baby seems more relaxed/satisfied
Wet diapers gradually increase (your pediatrician will guide what to expect by day of life)
Stools transition from dark meconium to green/yellow and become more frequent

If breastfeeding is painful or baby is not transferring milk well

Get help early (same day if possible):

Pediatrician
Lactation consultant
Trained nurse/midwife

Small latch improvements can make a big difference in bilirubin levels.

Safe home care tips that support recovery

These are supportive steps that are generally safe while you are also following your pediatrician’s plan.

1 Prioritize feeding over everything else

Wake baby for feeds if needed.
Keep baby lightly dressed during feeds so they stay alert.
Use gentle stimulation: diaper change, skin‑to‑skin, tickling feet.

2 Track diapers (a simple but powerful tool)

Keep a note (phone notes works) of:

Number of wet diapers
Number and color of stools
How long feeds last

Important: newborn urine should be pale/colorless. Dark yellow urine in a tiny baby can be a warning sign of dehydration or other problems.

3 Keep follow‑up appointments exactly as scheduled

Jaundice can rise after discharge, especially when families go home early. If your baby needs a bilirubin recheck or a weight check, do it—on time.

4 Don’t “treat” jaundice with unadvised remedies

Avoid:

Giving water, glucose water, honey, or herbal “ghutti” (can be dangerous and does not treat bilirubin)
Home medicines without medical guidance

5 About sunlight: what’s real and what’s risky

Many families hear, “Put the baby in sunlight.” Here’s the reality:

Direct sun exposure is not a safe home treatment due to risk of sunburn and overheating/hypothermia.
Sunlight through a window is unpredictable and not a reliable medical treatment.
If a doctor recommends light therapy, the safe, effective option is medical phototherapy with controlled wavelengths and monitoring.

Newborn Crying – 10 Common Reasons and How to Calm a Baby

When to call your pediatrician urgently

Call your pediatrician the same day (or seek urgent care) if:

Jaundice appears in the first 24 hours
Yellowing is spreading quickly or becoming deeper, especially below the chest/abdomen
Baby is hard to wake, unusually sleepy, or not waking for feeds
Baby is feeding poorly, refusing feeds, or has a weak suck
Baby has fewer wet diapers than expected or seems dehydrated (dry mouth, no tears when crying later, sunken soft spot)
Baby has a fever (follow your local guidance—many clinicians treat fever in a young newborn as urgent)

Go to emergency care immediately if any of these occur

These can be signs of severe jaundice affecting the brain (acute bilirubin encephalopathy) or other serious illness:

High‑pitched, inconsolable cry
Arched back/neck (body stiff or bending backward)
Limp, floppy, very weak tone
Seizures, twitching, or unusual jerking movements
Breathing pauses, turning blue, or severe breathing difficulty

Stool/urine warning signs that need prompt evaluation

Pale/white/cream stools (instead of yellow/orange)
Dark yellow urine in a newborn (urine should be colorless in early life)

These signs can point to a bile flow problem and should not be ignored.

My baby is very sleepy—how do I wake them for feeding?

Sleepiness is common, but when jaundice is present you need effective feeding.

Try:

Skin‑to‑skin (baby in diaper on your bare chest)
Diaper change before feeding
Gently rub baby’s back, arms, or feet
Express a few drops of milk and touch it to baby’s lips
Keep the room comfortably cool (overly warm rooms make babies sleepier)

If your baby repeatedly cannot be awakened to feed, that’s a red flag—contact your clinician.

What tests might the doctor order?

To decide whether treatment is needed, clinicians commonly use:

TcB (skin reading) as a screening tool
TSB (blood bilirubin level) for confirmation and treatment decisions

If jaundice is early, high, or persistent, the doctor may also check:

Baby and mother blood types and a test for incompatibility (often called a Coombs test)
Complete blood count (CBC) and reticulocyte count (to see if red blood cells are breaking down)
G6PD testing in some babies (based on risk factors)
Direct (conjugated) bilirubin if stool/urine or prolonged jaundice suggests cholestasis
Thyroid screening results (usually part of newborn screening)

What actually works

1 Phototherapy (most common treatment)

Phototherapy uses special blue‑spectrum light that helps change bilirubin into a form the body can remove.

What parents should expect:

Baby is placed under lights wearing eye protection.
Diapers are usually kept on; baby is otherwise undressed for skin exposure.
Feeding continues (breast and/or formula as advised).
Nurses monitor temperature, hydration, and bilirubin levels.

Phototherapy is very effective and widely used.

2 Supplementation (sometimes recommended)

If jaundice is linked to low intake or significant weight loss, clinicians may recommend:

More frequent feeds
Expressed breast milk
Temporary supplementation with formula

This is not a failure—it’s a medical bridge to keep the baby safe while breastfeeding is supported.

3 IVIG (in selected hemolysis cases)

In some babies with immune‑related hemolysis, clinicians may use intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as part of hospital management.

4) Exchange transfusion (rare, emergency treatment)

Used only when bilirubin is extremely high or rising dangerously despite phototherapy. This is done in specialized settings.

Can jaundice cause brain damage?

Severe, untreated jaundice can lead to bilirubin crossing into brain tissue, causing acute bilirubin encephalopathy and, in rare cases, kernicterus (permanent injury).

The good news: kernicterus is preventable with timely bilirubin checks, good feeding support, and treatment when indicated.

If your baby has jaundice, the goal is not to panic—it’s to monitor and act early.

Myths vs reality

Myth 1: “Jaundice always means my baby has a liver problem.”

Reality: Most newborn jaundice is a normal transitional process. Liver/bile problems are far less common but must be considered if jaundice is prolonged or stools are pale.

Myth 2: “Stop breastfeeding immediately if there’s jaundice.”

Reality: In most cases, continuing breastfeeding with support is recommended. Sometimes temporary supplementation is used if intake is low—your pediatrician guides this.

Myth 3: “Sunlight is the best treatment.”

Reality: Phototherapy is controlled, safe, and effective. Sunlight is unpredictable and can be unsafe.

Myth 4: “Giving water or sugar water will flush out jaundice.”

Reality: Newborns should not be given extra water unless a clinician explicitly directs it. Water does not treat bilirubin and can be harmful.

Myth 5: “If the baby looks only a little yellow, it’s never serious.”

Reality: Visual appearance can be misleading. Some babies with high bilirubin don’t look very yellow—testing is the only reliable way.

FAQ’s

Is newborn jaundice contagious?

No. It’s related to bilirubin metabolism and red blood cell breakdown, not an infection.

How long does newborn jaundice last?

Typical jaundice improves by about 2 weeks in full‑term babies. If jaundice lasts longer, your clinician may evaluate for other causes (especially if stool/urine are abnormal).

Can formula‑fed babies get jaundice?

Yes. Jaundice can occur in both breastfed and formula‑fed babies. However, jaundice linked to low intake is more common when breastfeeding is still being established.

Is breast milk jaundice dangerous?

Usually not—if the baby is otherwise well, feeding effectively, and gaining weight. But it should be followed by a clinician to ensure bilirubin stays in a safe range.

Does jaundice make babies sleepy—or do sleepy babies get more jaundice?

Both can happen. Jaundice can make babies sleepier, and sleepy babies feed less, which can worsen jaundice. That’s why wake‑to‑feed strategies and early follow‑up are important.

What if my baby’s jaundice looks worse under certain lights?

Indoor lighting can change how jaundice looks. If you think it’s worsening, don’t rely on visuals—contact your pediatrician for assessment.

A practical “what to do now” checklist

If you suspect jaundice:

Check your baby in natural light (press forehead/nose and look for yellow tone).
Feed now—don’t wait.
Count diapers and note stool color.
If baby is under a week old or yellowing is increasing, call your pediatrician for guidance and possible bilirubin testing.
If any red flag signs are present (poor feeding, hard to wake, high‑pitched cry, arching, pale stools, dark urine), seek urgent care immediately.

Important note for parents

This article is educational and based on widely used pediatric guidance, but it cannot replace an in‑person medical evaluation. If you’re worried, trust your instincts and contact a qualified clinician.

Newborn jaundice is common—and with good feeding support, proper follow‑up, and timely treatment when needed, most babies do very well.

Table of Contents