Question
My baby, at one month old, has a bilirubin level of 13-11.4-12.5 mg/dl. After stopping breastfeeding for 3 days, the bilirubin level is 11.3-9.6-9.9 mg/dl. Could this be breastfeeding-related jaundice?
Answer
Breastfed infants often develop jaundice between 4 to 7 days after birth, with peak levels (serum bilirubin exceeding 256.6 to 342.0 μmol/L) occurring between 2 to 4 weeks. Generally, they are in good condition without signs of hemolysis or anemia. Jaundice usually lasts for 3 to 4 weeks, gradually fading in the second month, with some cases taking up to 10 weeks to completely resolve. If breastfeeding is stopped for 3 to 4 days during the jaundice period, the bilirubin level can significantly decrease by ≥50%. Jaundice may not reoccur even if breastfeeding is resumed, and if it does, it will not reach the previous level. Therefore, based on the current situation, the possibility of breastfeeding-related jaundice is relatively high. Breastfeeding-related jaundice does not have specific grading and does not require medication treatment.