Question
My daughter just gave birth, and the nurse took her to check her jaundice level. I think she looks perfectly normal, but the nurse said her jaundice is slightly elevated. What is the normal range for neonatal jaundice?
Answer
The normal range for neonatal jaundice is generally not to exceed 12.9. Typically, jaundice appears in newborns 2-3 days after birth, reaches a noticeable level 4-5 days later, and gradually subsides after 5-7 days, with the latest not exceeding 2 weeks. This type of jaundice is physiological and usually poses no major issues. As long as the jaundice index does not exceed this normal value, there is no need to worry too much and you can continue breastfeeding.