Newborn jaundice is yellowing of a baby's skin and the whites of the eyes caused by a build-up of bilirubin. It is common and usually harmless, is most noticeable at around 3 days old and usually goes within about 2 weeks.
Key takeaways
- Yellowing can be harder to see on brown or black skin; check the eyes, gums and palms.
- Frequent feeding helps clear bilirubin.
- Some babies need light therapy (phototherapy).
When to talk to your doctor
Seek same-day advice if jaundice is not improving, if your baby has dark yellow wee or pale, chalky poo. Call your local emergency number if your baby is very sleepy, hard to wake, not feeding, floppy or stiff, or if jaundice appears in the first 24 hours.
