Overview
Jaundice means a yellow colour of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It is caused by bilirubin, a yellow substance made when old red blood cells break down. Newborns make a lot of bilirubin and their liver is still learning to clear it, so many healthy babies become yellow in the first week. This usually settles by itself. However, very high bilirubin can be harmful to the brain, so levels must be checked and treated when needed.
Symptoms
Yellow colour of the skin, usually starting on the face and moving down the body
Yellow colour of the whites of the eyes
Sleepiness and difficulty waking for feeds
Poor feeding or fewer wet and dirty nappies
Yellow colour may be harder to see on darker skin tones; check the eyes, gums and the palms and soles
Self-Care Tips
If your baby needs phototherapy, you can usually still hold and feed them for short breaks. Ask the staff.
Know the signs to look for at home and have a plan to reach care quickly at any time of the day or night.
When to See a Doctor
Seek medical care promptly if you notice: Yellow colour in the first 24 hours of life; Very sleepy, floppy, hard to wake, high-pitched cry, arching of the back, or poor sucking; Yellow colour spreading to the belly, legs, palms or soles, or getting deeper; Pale or chalky stools with dark urine, or jaundice lasting beyond 2 weeks; Fever, poor feeding, or fewer than expected wet nappies.
Why it happens
Common (physiological) jaundice happens because babies have more red blood cells to break down and an immature liver. It can be increased by poor feeding, dehydration, prematurity, bruising from delivery, or a blood group mismatch between mother and baby (for example ABO or Rhesus differences). Some babies have inherited enzyme conditions such as G6PD deficiency, which can cause quick and severe rises in bilirubin. Jaundice that starts within the first 24 hours, or lasts beyond two weeks, can have a more serious cause and needs a doctor's review.
How common it is
Newborn jaundice is very common, especially in the first week of life, and more so in babies born early. Most cases are mild and need no treatment beyond good feeding and observation.
G6PD deficiency is a known cause of severe newborn jaundice in the region, and it can be triggered by some substances, so always tell any doctor or pharmacist if G6PD deficiency runs in your family or if your baby has been tested. Avoid traditional remedies and kohl for newborns.
How it is diagnosed
The doctor or midwife checks the baby and measures bilirubin, either with a light meter placed on the skin or with a small blood test. The level is compared to charts that take into account your baby's age in hours and risk factors. If the level is high, further blood tests may check blood groups, blood count, and G6PD, and look for infection.
Lifestyle and daily habits
Watching closely and feeding well are the most useful things parents can do.
• Check your baby's skin and eyes in good daylight each day, pressing gently on the skin.
• Count wet and dirty nappies. Fewer than expected can signal poor feeding.
• Attend every follow-up visit after discharge, especially if you left hospital within the first day or two.
• Do not rely on putting your baby in direct sunlight to treat jaundice. It is not a safe or reliable treatment and can cause sunburn and overheating.
• Do not give water, herbal drinks, sugar water or any traditional remedy to treat jaundice.
Diet
Frequent, effective feeding helps the baby pass bilirubin out in stools and urine.
• Feed at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, and wake a sleepy baby for feeds.
• Breastfeeding should continue. Ask a midwife or lactation consultant for help with latch and milk supply.
• If feeding is not going well, your doctor may advise extra expressed milk or formula. Do not stop breastfeeding without advice.
• Do not give water or dextrose water in place of milk.
Medicines
Most babies do not need any medicine for jaundice.
• Medicines are not the main treatment for common newborn jaundice. Phototherapy (special light) is.
• In rare cases with a blood group problem, the doctor may give special treatment in hospital.
• Do not give any herbal or traditional medicine to a newborn. Some can be harmful, and babies with G6PD deficiency can be at risk from certain substances. Ask the doctor before giving anything.
Procedures and surgery
Phototherapy is safe and effective when needed.
• Phototherapy uses special blue light to help the body break down bilirubin. The baby lies in a cot or on a light blanket with eyes protected, and keeps feeding.
• Bilirubin is re-checked during and after treatment, and phototherapy is stopped when levels are safe.
• Very rarely, when the level is dangerously high, an exchange blood transfusion is done in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Outlook
Most babies recover completely, and jaundice fades within about two weeks. When bilirubin is treated in time, serious complications are very rare. Missing very high levels, however, can cause permanent brain injury, which is why early review and follow-up are important.
Questions to ask your doctor
• What is my baby's bilirubin level and what does it mean for their age?
• Does my baby need phototherapy or further tests such as blood group or G6PD?
• When should we have the next bilirubin check?
• How do I know feeding is going well enough?
• Which signs mean I should come back to hospital at once?
Source and review
This guide comes from the Saudi Gastroenterology Association (SGA) patient library, prepared by the Approved for publication by SGA; individual clinician review is ongoing. Last reviewed: 2026-04-24. It is for education and does not replace your doctor's advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Newborn Jaundice?
How is Newborn Jaundice diagnosed?
What is the outlook for Newborn Jaundice?
When should I see a doctor about Newborn Jaundice?
Share this with someone who needs it: