Newborn
Newborn jaundice: what parents should know
By Dr. P. Rajesh Khanna, MBBS, MD (Paediatrics) · TSMC Reg. No. 58018 · Updated October 2026
Yellow colour in the first days of life is common. Most of the time it is harmless, but some babies need treatment.
Why newborns turn yellow
Many newborns develop a yellow colour of the skin and eyes in the first week of life. It happens because bilirubin, a normal by-product of red blood cell breakdown, builds up faster than a newborn's liver can clear it. In most term babies it is mild, appears on the second or third day, and settles within about two weeks.
How it is checked
Yellow colour is hard to judge by eye, especially in daylight or in darker skin. A doctor can check bilirubin with a skin meter or a blood test and compare the value with the baby's age in hours, weight and gestation.
What helps
- Feed frequently: at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours for a breastfed baby.
- Check wet and soiled nappies; they show that your baby is feeding well.
- Do not rely on sunlight as a treatment, and do not give water or home remedies.
- Make sure your baby has a bilirubin check before leaving hospital, and a follow-up visit within 48 hours of discharge.
When to seek help without delay
- Yellow colour in the first 24 hours of life.
- Yellow colour spreading to the palms, soles or legs.
- Your baby is very sleepy, feeds poorly or has a high-pitched cry.
- Fewer wet nappies than expected, or pale stools with dark urine.
- Jaundice lasting more than 2 weeks in a term baby (3 weeks if born early).
- Your baby was born early, or the blood groups of mother and baby are not compatible.
Treatment
When treatment is needed, phototherapy (special blue light) is the standard approach, and it is safe when supervised by a doctor. Most babies recover completely.