The reason why I put this article in the New Parents Preparation section is because I think new parents should be aware and prepared in the event their babies are jaundiced.  Without understanding what baby jaundice is, what you should or should not do, and your options, you may end up making mistakes like stopping breastfeeding when you don't have to.  So it is best that new parents learn about jaundice first before the baby arrives.

I will not go into the medical details of jaundice.  You can read it from this very informative article by Dr Jack Newman.  Please do take the time to read it because it is important you understand what jaundice is and why you baby develops jaundice.  Otherwise, you may panic and become fearful unnecessarily.

1. Baby jaundice is common

It is especially common among asian babies but it has got nothing to do with ginger (despite what your doctor may tell you).  There is no scientific basis to this claim.

2. Baby Jaundice is not a disease (like TB, measles, AIDS...)

Unfortunately, some pediatricians in the hospital tend to behave as if baby jaundice is a serious condition that needs immediate and aggressive treatment.  Sometimes, jaundice could be cause by some physical problems (e.g. ABO incompatibility) but this is VERY RARE.  Serious jaundice can cause brain damage, but it is extremely rare, especially in healthy babies.  So there is really no need to panic.  In fact, a recent study has shown that jaundice, or rather the bilirubin that causes jaundice, is actually a strong antioxidant that protects the baby's cells!

3. You don't have to supplement with formula milk

The most ridiculous thing that I have heard is a paediatrician in the hospital advising a new mother to supplement with formula just in case her baby develops jaundice.  In other words, the baby was not even jaundiced yet.  

You don't have to do that!  If you are breastfeeding, there is no need to supplement with formula milk.  Not even when your baby has jaundice (unless the jaundice level is exceptionally high).  Certainly not for 'just in case' reason.  What you need to do is to breastfeed more.

4. You don't need to supplement with glucose water

It does not help at all, so don't bother.  What you want is frequent bowel movement to eliminate the bilirubin.   Colostrum, which is your milk in the very early days of breastfeeding, has a mild laxative property.  Hence, it only make sense for you to feed frequently right from the start so that your baby gets the precious colostrum.

Speaking of colostrum, it is what is known as 'liquid gold' among the breastfeeding circle.  It is full of antibodies and nutrients even though the amount is small.  Health food stores market colostrum tablets made from animal colostrum.  You have your own colostrum and don't have to pay a single cent for it.  So, you should really make sure your baby gets your colostrum.  Even if you end up not breastfeeding later on, you would have given your baby a good start in life.

5. You don't have to suntan your baby

Contrary to popular belief, it is not ultraviolet (UV) rays that help clear jaundice.  It is blue rays, which you can get from a normal florescent lamp.  I know the phototherapy lights look like purplish light, but it is not ultraviolet rays.  So please do not put your baby in a self-tanning machine.  There is also no need to suntan your baby in the sun - as in really doing it like sunbathing.  Just bring your baby out for a walk in the morning when the sunlight is not too harsh yet.  You will find the change of scene refreshing too.

6. You need to breastfeed very frequently

What we want is frequent bowel movement to clear the jaundice.  So you need to breastfeed very frequently (at least every 2-3 hours).  Babies who are jaundiced tend to be very sleepy, so don't rejoice just yet that you have a good sleeper.  Wake your baby up to feed!