Treating an infant with jaundice usually is a simple process. At-home, natural remedies often can take care of the problem in a few weeks; however, cases in which jaundice goes undetected or untreated can lead to more significant health problems for your child, including brain damage. Always see a doctor first if you believe that your infant has any disorder, including jaundice.
Jaundice
Jaundice in infants is defined as a yellow tint or discoloration to the skin and eyes. Caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood stream, infant jaundice is not uncommon. Many infants who are born preterm, or before 38 weeks of gestation, are more likely to develop jaundice in the first few weeks of life. In most cases, jaundice develops when the liver is not mature enough to process bilirubin effectively. In more severe cases, it may be due to an enzyme deficiency, infection, abnormality of red blood cells or internal bleeding. Most infants do not require invasive treatment of any kind; natural remedies performed at home should be sufficient for mild jaundice.
Change Feedings
Making changes to the feeding schedule often is the first recommendation when attempting to treat jaundice naturally. In some cases, mothers may be advised to feed their baby more often. This provides the baby with the bacteria necessary to assist in binding and excreting broken-down red blood cells.
Sunlight
Mothers may be advised to hold their baby in a warm, sunny location while their infant wears just a diaper for short periods of five to 10 minutes. It's important that babies not be exposed to the sun for long periods or put in a situation where they could overheat. When done in conjunction with increased feedings, this can be extremely effective.
Doctor-Recommended Treatments
When a change to the feeding schedule and exposure to sunlight don't work, doctors may recommend readmission to the hospital for monitored treatments. These may include phototherapy to provide the effects of sunlight in more concentrated doses, intravenous immunoglobulin, when the issue is a clash between the mother and baby's blood, and an exchange blood transfusion if severe jaundice persists.
