Question
Families about to welcome a newborn may be concerned about jaundice issues, especially the risks associated with high levels of jaundice. What methods can be used to prevent neonatal jaundice, and how should one deal with situations where jaundice levels are elevated?
Answer
Physiological jaundice is a common phenomenon in newborns and usually does not cause discomfort. However, insufficient feeding, hunger, or constipation may lead to the exacerbation or prolonged duration of physiological jaundice. When breastfeeding, parents should be mentally prepared as the baby may experience prolonged jaundice. If concerned about high levels of jaundice, one can temporarily stop breastfeeding for 2 to 3 days, after which the jaundice level will quickly drop, and breastfeeding can then continue.