Question
My baby has had jaundice since birth, and it has lasted for eighteen days now. The doctor recommended a three-day pause in breastfeeding to confirm if it’s breast milk jaundice. The baby is doing well, with normal bowel movements and good appetite. I want to know, can breastfeeding continue during breast milk jaundice?
Answer
Breast milk jaundice is a common occurrence, with two types: early onset and late onset. Early onset breast milk jaundice occurs around the same time as physiological jaundice in newborns, appearing approximately 3 days after birth and disappearing around the 7th day. Late onset breast milk jaundice often appears after physiological jaundice has subsided, that is, 7-14 days later. If the baby’s jaundice is severe, such as with high bilirubinemia, breastfeeding can be temporarily paused for 3 days to observe. If the yellowing subsides after stopping breastfeeding, it can be continued. Continuing breastfeeding may result in a slight rebound, but breast milk jaundice will gradually disappear.