Yellow skin and eyes in a newborn are usually jaundice, and they are more common than most new parents expect. About 60% of full-term babies develop some degree of jaundice in the first week.
Most cases are harmless and resolve as the liver matures. A small number need treatment, so knowing the symptoms and when to call your doctor matters.
Jaundice: Excess Bilirubin Turning Skin Yellow
Jaundice is yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes from too much bilirubin, a pigment released when red blood cells break down.
Newborns produce more bilirubin and clear it more slowly because the liver is still maturing.
About 60% of full-term babies and 80% of preterm babies have jaundice in the first week.
Most cases fade within one to two weeks. Very high levels need treatment to prevent complications, including rare brain injury from severe jaundice.
Symptoms of Jaundice in Newborns
Watch for:
- Yellowing that starts on the face and moves downward
- Yellow whites of the eyes
- Dark yellow urine
- Pale stools
Bilirubin deposits in skin and tissues, causing the colour change. Gentle skincare matters for delicate newborn skin.
Knowing the type of jaundice helps guide next steps.
Three Types of Newborn Jaundice
Physiological jaundice (most common)
The immature liver processes bilirubin slowly. Appears in the first days, often peaks day 2 to 4, and usually clears within two weeks without treatment.
Breast milk jaundice
Some breastfed babies develop prolonged jaundice from substances in milk that slow bilirubin clearance. Often appears after the first week and can last months.
This differs from breastfeeding jaundice, which is linked to low intake. Continue breastfeeding unless your doctor advises otherwise. Temporary formula supplementation may be needed if levels climb.
Pathological jaundice
Caused by blood group incompatibility, infection, or liver disease. Can appear within 24 hours and needs prompt care. Treatment may include phototherapy, exchange transfusion, or medication for the underlying cause.
How Doctors Diagnose Jaundice
Paediatricians check skin and eye colour and measure blood bilirubin. Regular newborn check-ups catch rising levels early.
Extra tests may follow if jaundice appears very early, worsens quickly, or does not improve as expected.
Treatment by Severity
Phototherapy
Blue light breaks down bilirubin in the skin. It is the most common treatment. Babies may need eye shields and minimal clothing during sessions.
A portable phototherapy unit may be used at home only under medical supervision.
Exchange transfusion
Reserved for severe cases. Replaces blood to rapidly lower bilirubin.
Treating the underlying cause
Infections or blood group problems need targeted treatment alongside light therapy.
How Long Jaundice Usually Lasts
- Physiological: One to two weeks
- Breast milk jaundice: Up to three months in some babies
- Pathological: Depends on cause; resolves with proper treatment
Steps That Lower Risk (Without Guaranteeing Prevention)
Frequent feeding helps bilirubin leave the body in stool.
Monitor levels in high-risk babies: prematurity, bruising at birth, or family history.
Follow your healthcare provider's advice on breastfeeding and supplementation.
When to Call Your Doctor
Jaundice is common and often mild. Contact your paediatrician if yellowing spreads, feeding drops, or your baby seems unusually sleepy or hard to wake.
Bring your newborn for check-ups in the first two weeks. For other early visit reasons, see common reasons to visit a paediatrician and preparing for the appointment.
