Seeing a yellow tint to your newborn’s skin or eyes can feel alarming for new parents, but jaundice is actually very common during the first days of life. In many healthy newborns, mild jaundice improves as the baby’s liver matures and their body gradually clears excess bilirubin.1,2
Even though mild jaundice is common, it’s still important for your baby to be monitored by a pediatrician. Some cases require closer observation or medical treatment, especially if bilirubin levels rise too high or jaundice appears very early after birth.3
Alongside your provider’s guidance, there are a few safe ways parents can help support feeding, hydration, and overall newborn wellness while caring for your baby at home.
Key Takeaways
- Mild newborn jaundice is common and often improves as a baby’s body clears excess bilirubin.
- Frequent feeding and monitoring hydration can help support babies with mild jaundice.
- Direct sunlight should never replace medical evaluation or treatment.
- Some babies with jaundice need closer monitoring or medical care, especially if symptoms worsen.
- Always contact your pediatrician if your newborn is difficult to wake, feeding poorly, or becoming more yellow.
Safe At-Home Support Tips for Mild Newborn Jaundice
If your newborn develops mild jaundice, here are a few safe ways parents can help support their newborn at home.
1. Encourage Natural Daylight During Feedings
Pediatricians sometimes recommend exposure to normal indirect daylight during daytime feedings and awake periods.4 Sitting near a bright window during the day may help support healthy day-night rhythms and keep babies alert for regular feedings. Taking short walks outside can also help expose your baby to normal daytime light and fresh air, as long as they are dressed appropriately and not overheating.
However, direct sunlight exposure is not considered a replacement for medical treatment or bilirubin monitoring. Newborn skin is extremely sensitive, so babies should never be placed in direct sunlight for extended periods or allowed to overheat or sunburn.3,4
2. Feed Them Often
You may already feel like you are doing this as a new mama, but feeding your baby often can help support bilirubin clearance. The goal is to help the liver better rid itself of bilirubin.
Frequent feeding also helps babies stay hydrated and encourages more bowel movements, which helps the body clear excess bilirubin more effectively. So, the more often baby poops, the more you should see the yellow subsiding.
Related: 7 Signs Your Baby Is Full
3. Monitor Feeding and Hydration Closely
Babies with jaundice can sometimes become sleepy and feed less effectively, which may make bilirubin levels harder to clear. Pay close attention to wet diapers, bowel movements, feeding frequency, and whether your baby seems alert enough to eat regularly.
If your newborn is difficult to wake for feedings, feeding poorly, or producing fewer wet diapers, contact your pediatrician promptly.
4. Make Sure Your Baby Is Feeding Well
Jaundice can be more common in breastfed babies because they aren’t getting enough milk due to mom’s milk coming in late or an improper latch. I recommend first seeking assistance from a lactation consultant to correct the latch or other feeding issues. Next, consider supplementing feedings with donor milk or formula. Speak with your pediatrician to better know how well your baby is being fed and whether this is necessary, even for the short term.
Related: 6 Rules for a Better Breastfeeding Latch
5. Talk to Your Pediatrician About Probiotics
Some emerging research suggests that probiotics may help support bilirubin metabolism in newborns, but more research is needed.7 Before giving any probiotic supplement directly to your newborn, always speak with your pediatrician first.
The most important priority is making sure your baby is feeding well and getting enough milk.
Related: What Is Jaundice in Newborns and How Is It Treated?
When To Contact Your Pediatrician About Jaundice
Mild jaundice is common, but some babies need closer monitoring or medical treatment. Contact your pediatrician right away if:
- Jaundice appears within the first 24 hours after birth
- The yellow color spreads or becomes more noticeable
- Your baby is difficult to wake for feedings
- Your baby is feeding poorly
- There are fewer wet or dirty diapers than expected
- Your baby seems unusually sleepy, floppy, or difficult to console
- You are concerned for any reason
Your pediatrician may recommend bilirubin testing, feeding support, or phototherapy depending on your baby’s age and bilirubin levels.
If you try all of these natural remedies and are still seeing signs of jaundice, do not let it go untreated. Many cases of mild jaundice improve with time, feeding support, and close monitoring, but ongoing pediatric care remains important. When in doubt, always take them to the pediatrician to have a look. The yellow tint can understandably worry new parents, but many cases of mild jaundice improve with time, feeding support, and close monitoring.
