How to Prevent Baby Jaundice

Jaundice occurs in up to 90 percent of newborns. It is caused by high levels of bilirubin in the baby's blood. While in the womb, the mother's liver removes excess bilirubin; after birth, the baby's liver must take over this function. During this time, your baby's skin may turn yellow, starting with her face and spreading downward. Jaundice usually begins on the second or third day of life and disappears by three weeks postpartum. Mild jaundice is not dangerous, but you must monitor your baby and take preventive measures to keep her bilirubin level from getting too high.

Instructions

1

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you check your baby's skin in good light for signs of jaundice. Jaundice may be harder to identify in babies with darker skin color. Make sure to check the whites of your baby's eyes for a yellow tint, which is a sign of jaundice. If you suspect your baby has jaundice, discuss it with the nurse or doctor, who may order a blood test to measure your baby's bilirubin level.

2

Feed your baby frequently to help prevent mild jaundice from escalating. If you are breastfeeding, your baby should have 8 to 12 feedings a day, eating about every two hours around the clock. You may need to wake your baby for feedings. Babies who are having difficulty breastfeeding are more prone to jaundice. Talk to a lactation consultant about any difficulties.

Formula-fed babies are rarely jaundiced after the first week of life. If your baby still shows signs of jaundice at this point, contact her doctor immediately.

3

Make sure your baby is examined by a doctor between his third and fifth day postpartum. This is when bilirubin levels usually peak, but most babies are released from the hospital before that. Schedule your baby's first checkup for this time frame.

4

Check the color of your baby's urine and stool. The Children's Liver Disease Foundation notes that a baby's urine should be clear and odorless; a deep yellow can indicate liver disease and jaundice. Stools should range in color from yellow to light green. If your baby's stools are pale with a pinkish or purple tint, contact your doctor immediately.

5

If your baby's bilirubin levels get too high, she may need medical treatment. According to parenting expert Elizabeth Pantley, phototherapy lights and the newer bili-blanket are the most common treatments. Both methods use exposure to light rays to help the baby's skin break bilirubin down.

6

Contact your doctor immediately if your baby's jaundice remains after three weeks, if your baby is not feeding well, if your jaundiced baby is fussy or hard to wake, if his jaundice is worsening, or if the whites of your baby's eyes are yellow.