What to do about breast milk jaundice

Breast milk jaundice is a common type of neonatal jaundice, and many new parents may feel confused and worried. In fact, breast milk jaundice is usually benign and there is no need to worry too much. Breast milk jaundice usually appears in the 2nd to 3rd week after birth, which is related to breastfeeding. At this stage, the baby's liver is not fully mature and cannot process bilirubin quickly, leading to the appearance of jaundice.

For breast milk jaundice, the most important thing is to continue breastfeeding. Breast milk has irreplaceable benefits for the baby's health, and stopping breastfeeding is not the best way to solve jaundice. On the contrary, the frequency of feeding should be increased, and the baby should drink more breast milk, which will help speed up the excretion of bilirubin. Appropriate sunlight exposure can also help relieve jaundice, but be careful to avoid direct sunlight on the baby's eyes and skin.

If the jaundice is severe or lasts for a long time, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician as soon as possible. The doctor may order some tests to determine the specific cause of the jaundice and rule out other underlying health problems. In some cases, the doctor may recommend temporarily stopping breastfeeding for 1 to 2 days to observe whether the jaundice has improved, and then resume breastfeeding.

In daily care, parents can monitor changes in jaundice by observing changes in the color of the baby's skin and whites of the eyes. If the baby's jaundice is found to be getting worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as drowsiness, loss of appetite, poor mental state, etc., you should seek medical attention in time. Maintaining good communication and patience, and understanding the characteristics and treatment methods of breast milk jaundice can help new parents better cope with this common parenting challenge. I hope these suggestions can provide you with some help so that your baby can grow up healthily and happily.