Question
The male baby was born 32 days ago, and the jaundice index has not decreased. The doctor recommended temporarily stopping breastfeeding. After four days of stopping breastfeeding, the jaundice index today is 5.4. Is this index normal? Do I need to continue to stop breastfeeding? In addition, after stopping breastfeeding, the baby’s bowel movements have significantly decreased, occurring only once a day, becoming harder in texture, and the color is golden yellow. Urination is normal.
Answer
Hello: Newborn jaundice often accompanies pathological jaundice. The jaundice index of a normal full-term newborn should not exceed 12.0. Your baby’s jaundice index of 15.4 is indeed higher than the normal level and falls under pathological jaundice, requiring timely and effective treatment. It is recommended to first give the baby probiotics and other medications for treatment, and encourage the baby to increase fluid intake and get more sunlight exposure. A recheck should be done three days later.