Question
The infant’s jaundice reached a high of 16.7, and after three days without breastfeeding, it dropped to 13. How can you confirm if it’s Breast milk jaundice? Can you restart breastfeeding at this point?
Answer
Based on this information, it is not possible to confirm whether the infant’s jaundice is Breast milk jaundice. The diagnosis of Breast milk jaundice requires excluding pathogenic factors such as hemolytic disease, hypothyroidism, infection, and liver and bile duct diseases. If confirmed as Breast milk jaundice, and the blood bilirubin level is within the range of 15~20mg/dl, stop breastfeeding for 2~3 days to observe. If the jaundice increases, continue breastfeeding. At this time, the bilirubin level may slightly rebound by 1~3mg/dl and then gradually rise and fade.