The doctor said my baby has jaundice. What should I do now?
Infant jaundice is the yellow discoloration of a newborn’s skin and eyes. It occurs when a baby's blood has too much bilirubin (a yellow pigment of red blood cells). Jaundice is common, affecting up to 60 percent of babies the first week after delivery and usually resolves within two weeks. A lab test is required to determine the level of jaundice.
Baby getting enough breast milk is key to treating jaundice. Aim for 10-12 feedings in 24 hours in order to flush the bilirubin out through baby’s poop. How well baby is latched onto the breast affects milk supply and milk transfer. Make sure baby is latched deeply and ask for help achieving this if you’re not sure.
If baby is extra sleepy, wake them to feed often, and don’t limit time at the breast. Breast compressions can keep a sleepy baby actively breastfeeding and increase milk supply.
Your doctor may suggest phototherapy. Placing baby under these special lights breaks down the bilirubin stored in baby’s skin. Ask your doctor for ways to use the lights, without strict time requirements that might delay breastfeeding sessions.
If your doctor suggests formula supplementation. Explain your desire not to interfere with breastfeeding in any way, and discuss the option to supplement with your own breast milk. You can do this by hand expressing and/or pumping between feedings or after baby has finished nursing at the breast. If you are waiting to introduce a bottle, baby can be fed extra breast milk using an alternate feeding method. Giving baby water or sugar water is not recommended, as it can lead to breastfeeding less often and more problems with jaundice.
Contact your doctor if you notice baby is difficult to wake, not feeding well or their skin becomes more yellow.
SOURCES:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infant-jaundice/symptoms-causes/syc-20373865
https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/jaundice/