Newborn Jaundice 101: Signs, Treatment & When to Worry

Physiological Jaundice

This is the most common type. It develops because a newborn's liver isn't yet mature enough to process the bilirubin produced by the rapid breakdown of fetal red blood cells. It typically appears between day 2 and day 4 of life and resolves within 1–2 weeks.

Breastfeeding Jaundice (Early-Onset)

Sometimes called breastfeeding jaundice, this type occurs in the first week when a baby isn't feeding or latching well and isn't receiving adequate milk. Insufficient intake means less bilirubin is excreted through stool. This is one reason why good feeding support in the first days matters so much — both for milk supply and for your baby's bilirubin clearance. If you're concerned about whether your baby is feeding effectively, our guide to 

low milk supply — how to tell and what to do can help you assess the situation.

Breast Milk Jaundice (Late-Onset)

A distinct condition from breastfeeding jaundice, breast milk jaundice appears after day 5–7 and can persist for up to 12 weeks. It's thought to be caused by substances in some mothers' breast milk that affect bilirubin processing. It is generally harmless and does not require weaning. Your healthcare provider can advise on monitoring and any necessary interruptions to breastfeeding.

Other Causes

Less commonly, elevated bilirubin may result from blood group incompatibility between mother and baby (such as Rh or ABO incompatibility), infection, enzyme deficiencies (such as G6PD deficiency), or liver and bile duct conditions. These require prompt investigation.

The hallmark sign is a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (sclera). Importantly, this yellowing tends to follow a cephalocaudal progression — meaning it starts at the head and face and moves downward toward the body and limbs as bilirubin levels rise.

Visual Signs by Stage

• Face and scalp: Yellowing almost always appears here first, including the whites of the eyes
• Chest and abdomen: As bilirubin increases, the tint moves to the chest and stomach
• Arms, legs, and extremities: Spreading to the limbs indicates rising levels and warrants closer monitoring
• Palms of hands and soles of feet: If yellowing reaches here, it may indicate severe jaundice and requires prompt medical review

How to Check at Home

The blanching test is a simple, parent-accessible method recommended by many health authorities including the NHS and Pregnancy, Birth and Baby:

• In good natural light (not artificial lighting), gently press your fingertip on your baby's forehead or the tip of their nose
• When you lift your finger, look at the colour of the skin where you pressed — if it looks yellow, this may be a sign of jaundice
• In babies with darker skin tones, yellowing can be harder to detect on the skin alone — check the whites of the eyes, the inside of the mouth and gums, and the palms and soles

Other Symptoms to Watch For

• Dark urine: A newborn's urine should be very pale or almost colourless — yellow or dark urine can be a sign of jaundice
• Pale, grey, or clay-coloured stools: Healthy newborn stool is typically yellow or orange; pale or grey stools can signal a liver or bile duct issue
• Excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking for feeds: High bilirubin levels can cause lethargy, poor feeding, or a weak suck
• High-pitched cry: An unusual cry can sometimes be associated with elevated bilirubin

Feeding frequently plays a key role in helping bilirubin clear via the stool. If your baby is very sleepy and you're struggling to maintain feeding frequency, strategies for increasing milk supply through power pumping can help you maintain supply while your baby recovers.

While most jaundice is mild and resolves without intervention, some situations require prompt medical attention. Contact your midwife, GP, or go to an emergency department if:

• Jaundice appears in the first 24 hours of life — this is never normal and requires urgent investigation
• The yellowing becomes more intense, spreads rapidly, or reaches the arms, legs, palms, or soles
• Your baby is very difficult to wake, is feeding poorly, or has a weak suck
• Your baby has a fever or an unusually high-pitched cry
• Jaundice lasts longer than 2 weeks in a full-term baby or longer than 3 weeks in a premature baby
• Your baby's stools are pale, grey, or white (possible bile duct problem — seek same-day review)

If in doubt, always contact a healthcare professional. In Australia, you can also call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 for 24/7 midwifery support and guidance.

• Stopping breastfeeding: Unless specifically directed by your healthcare provider, discontinuing breastfeeding is rarely necessary and may worsen the situation by reducing bilirubin excretion through stool
• Delaying assessment: Jaundice in the first 24 hours, or jaundice that is worsening rapidly, is always a reason to seek same-day medical review — don't wait to see if it improves
• Relying on direct sunlight: While well-intentioned, placing newborns in direct sunlight poses UV risks. Follow medical guidance rather than home remedies
• Misreading skin colour in artificial light: Always assess yellowing in good natural light — artificial lighting can mask or misrepresent the degree of jaundice
• Assuming jaundice is gone once the face looks clear: Jaundice clears from the top down, so if the face looks better, check the chest, abdomen, and limbs to confirm resolution

Newborn jaundice is one of the most common — and most manageable — conditions in the early days of your baby's life. The most important actions are: check your baby in good natural light regularly, feed frequently, and contact your healthcare provider promptly if you notice any of the red flags above.

For deeper reading on the feeding and nutrition topics connected to this article:

• Breastfeeding Nutrition & Milk Supply: Evidence-Based Guide for Australian Mothers — the pillar resource this article sits within
• Low milk supply or not — how to tell and what to do — for parents concerned about feeding adequacy alongside jaundice
• 10 proven ways to increase milk supply — practical steps to support feeding frequency and output
• Breastfeeding and baby eczema — complete Australian guide — for families managing skin sensitivity in the early weeks

If you're looking for nutritional support during the early breastfeeding period, our 

• lactation cookies and breastfeeding support products are formulated with Australian mothers in mind
• breastfeeding hydration range — designed to support milk production and maternal recovery