1. Yikes, My Baby is Yellow
The telltale sign of newborn jaundice is a yellowish tint to your baby's skin and eyes. This scary sight occurs when there's too much bilirubin in the baby's system. Bilirubin is the product of red blood cells that break down. It should pass through the liver and excrete as bile When either the baby's liver isn't developed enough to remove it or there's more bilirubin being made than he can handle, the baby develops jaundice.
2. Four Types of Jaundice
More than half of all babies get normal jaundice, caused by their liver not being able to break down bilirubin. It usually disappears when they are 1 to 2 weeks old. Premature babies may also have jaundice, because their system is immature and it takes longer for them to get rid of the bilirubin. Substances in breast milk can cause another form of jaundice, causing the bilirubin levels to rise above 20 mg. This can last anywhere from 3 to 10 weeks. Incompatibility jaundice may occur if the mother and baby have different blood types. Antibodies destroy the infant's red blood cells and he experiences a build up of bilirubin. An Rh immune globulin injection can treat this.
3. Jaundice is a Pressing Matter
Perform a simple test to check for jaundice by pressing your fingertip on the baby's forehead or nose. If the skin appears yellow after you remove your finger, assume it's jaundice and call your doctor. Your pediatrician may take a small blood sample to measure the bilirubin level. A yellow color on the arms and legs or fever over 100 degrees F indicates a more severe case of jaundice. Always follow up with your doctor if the yellow color gets darker, won't go away after 15 days or if your baby isn't gaining weight as well as he should.
4. Shedding Light on the Situation
Sunlight helps break down bilirubin so your baby's liver can better handle it. Twice a day, put your baby in a well-lit window. Keep him there for 10 minutes at a time. Don't put him in direct sunlight, just a bright window. Phototherapy can also help your baby if the jaundice doesn't seem to be clearing up on its own. The special light changes the composition of bilirubin, so your baby's body can get rid of it.
5. Flush the Jaundice Out
If your baby has jaundice, feed her more often with breast milk or formula. This will help her pass the bilirubin out of her system. In extreme cases of high bilirubin build up, your baby may be re-admitted to the hospital to undergo specialized treatment.
