Women's Health

Maternity

Post-Natal Care

Jaundice

Babies with jaundice will have a yellowish color to their skin and to the whites of their eyes. Jaundice occurs in roughly half of all newborns, and is caused by higher-than-normal amounts of bilirubin in the baby's blood. Jaundice typically appears within the first 2-3 days of life, seldom needs medical treatment, and usually disappears on its own within 1 to 2 weeks. To help minimize jaundice, feed your baby often and pust your baby in a sunny part of the room. Your baby's health care provider will tell you what to do if the jaundice progresses. Be sure to call your baby's doctor if your baby seems more yellow to you after you are home, or if your baby seems to develop jaundice after you return home.