Jaundice is a yellow colour of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It is very common in newborns, and in most babies it is mild, appears on day 2 or 3 and fades within two weeks as the liver matures. It needs urgent medical attention if it appears in the first 24 hours, spreads down to the legs, or comes with sleepiness or poor feeding.

What is newborn jaundice?

Jaundice happens when there is too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment made when old red blood cells break down. Babies are born with extra red blood cells, and a newborn’s liver is still learning to clear bilirubin, so it builds up for a few days and tints the skin yellow.

About 6 in 10 full-term babies and more premature babies have some jaundice, according to the NHS. Most need no treatment. The concern is that very high bilirubin levels can be harmful if they are not treated, which is why doctors check babies who look more than mildly yellow.

When does it appear, and when does it go?

The usual pattern, called physiological jaundice, looks like this:

First 24 hours
a baby should not look yellow. Jaundice in this period always needs urgent assessment.
Day 2 to 3
yellow colour begins to show on the face.
Day 3 to 5
it is usually at its strongest, and may spread to the chest and tummy.
By 2 weeks
it fades in full-term babies. In premature babies it can take up to 3 weeks.

Many babies leave the maternity unit on day 1 or 2, before jaundice peaks. That is why a check by a pediatrician on day 3 to 5 is so useful. Our guide to your newborn’s first pediatrician visit explains when to book.

How can I check for jaundice at home?

Look at your baby in natural daylight, because artificial light can hide the colour. Then:

  1. Press gently on your baby’s forehead or nose with a finger. Let go. If the skin looks yellow where you pressed, rather than pale or pink, there may be jaundice.
  2. Look at the whites of the eyes and the gums.
  3. Check the palms and soles and the legs. Yellow colour reaching the legs and feet suggests a higher level.

On darker skin, jaundice is harder to see on the skin itself. Check the whites of the eyes, the gums, the palms and the soles.

Check your baby once or twice a day for the first week.

Why do some babies get more jaundice?

Some babies are at higher risk of significant jaundice. These include babies who:

  • were born early, before 38 weeks
  • have bruising from delivery, or a swelling on the scalp
  • have a different blood group from their mother, such as Rh or ABO incompatibility
  • have a condition called G6PD deficiency, which is relatively common in the Gulf region. Many hospitals in the UAE test newborns for it. If your baby has it, tell every doctor who sees them
  • have a brother or sister who needed treatment for jaundice
  • are not feeding well, or are not getting enough milk in the first days

What about feeding?

Frequent feeding helps clear bilirubin, because it comes out in the stool. Newborns usually feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. A baby who feeds poorly in the first days, is sleepy at the breast or bottle, or has few wet and dirty nappies is more likely to become jaundiced.

Do not give extra water or sugar water. It does not lower bilirubin and can reduce how much milk your baby takes. If feeding is difficult, speak to your pediatrician early.

Does sunlight help?

No. Putting a baby in direct sunlight is not a safe or reliable way to treat jaundice, and it risks sunburn and overheating. Do not do it. If your baby needs treatment, doctors use a special light under controlled conditions.

How do doctors measure and treat jaundice?

A doctor decides how much bilirubin is present by looking at your baby and, if needed, measuring it. Options include a skin bilirubin meter, which is a quick screen that does not hurt, or a small blood test for the exact level.

The result is compared with a chart based on your baby’s age in hours and risk factors. Most babies need nothing but time and good feeding.

If the level is high, the treatment is phototherapy: your baby lies under a special blue light that helps the body break down bilirubin. It is usually given in hospital, and feeds continue. Very rarely, a blood transfusion is needed for severe jaundice. If your baby needs treatment, we arrange the referral and tell you what to expect.

What about jaundice that lasts more than two weeks?

Jaundice that lasts longer than 2 weeks in a full-term baby, or 3 weeks in a premature baby, should always be checked, even if your baby seems well. It can be caused by feeding with breast milk, which is harmless, but the doctor needs to rule out liver and bile duct problems, which are less common but important to find early. A urine and stool check, and a blood test, are usually part of this.

Tell the doctor if your baby’s stools are pale, chalky or grey, or the urine is dark. Normal newborn stools are yellow, green or brown.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor the same day, or go to an emergency department, if:

  • your baby looks yellow in the first 24 hours
  • the yellow colour is deepening, or spreading to the tummy, legs or soles
  • your baby is very sleepy, hard to wake, floppy or not feeding well
  • your baby has fewer wet or dirty nappies than usual
  • the stools are pale, chalky or grey, or the urine is dark
  • your baby has a high-pitched cry, arches their back, or seems very unwell
  • your baby has a fever of 38°C or above
  • the jaundice lasts longer than 2 weeks (3 weeks for a premature baby)

Call 998 if your baby is difficult to wake, stops feeding, or has a seizure or stiff, arched posture.

If you are unsure, it is better to have your baby checked. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that every newborn is seen by a doctor within a few days of leaving hospital.

How we can help at myPediaclinic

Dr. Medhat Abu-Shaaban, Consultant Pediatrician and Medical Director, and Dr. Tala Belbeissi, Consultant Pediatrician, see newborns for their first visits through our newborn and premature baby care service. We examine your baby, look at the jaundice and feeding, weigh your baby, and explain what to expect. If your baby needs tests or phototherapy, we arrange the referral. Both consult in English and Arabic at our clinic in Dubai Healthcare City.

Our guide to when to call the doctor for your newborn lists other signs to watch for.

Frequently asked questions

Is jaundice dangerous for my baby?

Mild jaundice is common and harmless. Very high bilirubin can affect the brain if left untreated, which is why a baby who looks very yellow, or is sleepy or feeding poorly, needs a prompt check. With early assessment and treatment, serious problems are preventable.

Can I continue breastfeeding if my baby has jaundice?

Yes, and frequent feeding helps. Feeding well is part of the treatment, so keep feeding your baby, 8 to 12 times a day. If feeding is difficult, tell your pediatrician early.

Can jaundice come back?

Jaundice that fades then returns is not typical and should be checked. Some babies’ jaundice rises again after a few days, particularly if feeding falls. See your doctor if the yellow colour returns.

Can jaundice be a sign of infection?

Sometimes. A baby with jaundice who is also unwell, has a fever, is feeding poorly or is very sleepy may have an infection or another illness, so these babies need a doctor to see them promptly.

Does a baby with jaundice need to stay in hospital?

Not necessarily. Most babies with mild jaundice go home and are monitored. Those with higher levels may need phototherapy, usually in hospital, and typically for a day or two. The doctor decides after measuring bilirubin.

To book, message us on WhatsApp at 052 218 1662 or call reception on 04 430 5926.