When Your Newborn is in the Hospital with Jaundice

When Your Newborn is in the Hospital with Jaundice

What is jaundice?

Jaundice is the yellow color seen in the skin of many newborns. It happens when a chemical called bilirubin (bill--rube-in) builds up in the baby's blood.

Why is jaundice common in newborns?

Everyone's blood contains bilirubin. It comes from the normal breakdown of red blood cells. The liver removes bilirubin from the blood and puts it in poop and pee (stool and urine) so the body can get rid of it.

Before birth, the birth parent's liver does this for the baby. After birth, the baby's body must start to do the work. Most babies get jaundice in the first few days after birth because the baby's liver is learning how to remove bilirubin from the blood and put it in the stool and urine. Also, the baby is just learning how to feed, and needs milk to produce stools and urine to get rid of the bilirubin.

How can I tell if my baby is jaundiced?

The skin of a baby with jaundice can look yellow, although it is harder to see in babies with darker skin. The best way to check skin color is in good light, such as daylight or under fluorescent lights. Jaundice usually appears first in the face and then moves to the chest, stomach, arms, and legs as the bilirubin level goes up. The whites of the eyes may also be yellow.

Can jaundice hurt my baby?

Most infants have mild jaundice that is harmless. In rare cases, the bilirubin level can get very high and might cause brain damage. This is why newborns should be checked carefully for jaundice and treated to prevent a high bilirubin level.

How will my baby be checked for jaundice?

A blood test or transcutaneous bilirubin measurement device can be ordered by your provider.

Does breastfeeding affect jaundice?

Jaundice is more common in babies who are breastfed than babies who are formula-fed. It mainly happens in infants who are not nursing well (not taking in enough milk to make enough stool and urine to get rid of the bilirubin).

To Learn More

? Ask your child's healthcare provider ?

Free Interpreter Services

? In the hospital, ask your nurse. ? From outside the hospital, call the

toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need.

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When Your Newborn is in the Hospital with Jaundice

If you are breastfeeding, you should nurse your baby at least every 2 to 3 hours for the first few weeks. This will help you produce enough milk and will help to keep your baby's bilirubin level down. Your baby's diapers can help you know if they are getting enough breastmilk. Until they are 5 days old, your baby should have:

? 6 to 8 wet diapers (urine) per day ? 1 poop diaper (stool) for each day they are old (example: 3 poop

diapers when they are 3 days old)

If you are having trouble breastfeeding, ask your baby's doctor or nurse or a lactation specialist for help. Breastmilk is the ideal food for your baby.

How is jaundice treated?

Mild to moderate jaundice will go away on its own in the first couple weeks as the baby's body gets rid of the extra bilirubin.

For high levels of jaundice, special lights that lower the bilirubin level are placed above and below your baby. These special lights are called LED phototherapy lights or a bili-light. Your baby will be naked or only wearing a diaper while having light therapy so the light shines on as much skin as possible. They will wear eye shades while under the bili-light. It is important for your baby to stay under the bili-light as much as possible during treatment.

Feed your baby often to help remove bilirubin through their stool and urine. Your baby should feed every 2 to 3 hours. You can continue to breastfeed when your baby has jaundice. Some people choose to pump and bottle feed for a short time in the hospital, so they know exactly how much breastmilk their baby is getting. Your doctor may advise you one way or another. Talk with your doctor about your preference so you can be involved in the best plan for your baby.

While in the hospital, a blood sample will be taken, as needed, for your doctor to check your baby's bilirubin level. Your baby will be able to leave the hospital when the bilirubin level is lower, and your baby is feeding well.

If a baby has severe jaundice that has not gotten better with other treatment, a blood exchange transfusion may be done in our intensive care unit.

When should my newborn get checked after leaving the hospital?

It is important for your baby to be seen by your primary care provider for a follow-up appointment 1 day (24 hours) after leaving the hospital.

Seattle Children's offers interpreter services for Deaf, hard of hearing or non-English speaking patients, family members and legal representatives free of charge. Seattle Children's will make this information available in alternate formats upon request. Call the Family Resource Center at 206-987-2201. This handout has been reviewed by clinical staff at Seattle Children's. However, your child's needs are unique. Before you act or rely upon this information, please talk with your child's healthcare provider. ? 2021 Seattle Children's, Seattle, Washington. All rights reserved.

Patient and Family Education | Medical Unit

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