Question
After 15 days of birth, the newborn’s face still shows jaundice without improvement. How should it be treated?
Answer
Newborn jaundice can be early-onset or late-onset breastmilk jaundice. Usually, the jaundice will subside after stopping breastfeeding for 3-5 days; if breastfeeding is resumed, the jaundice may reappear. Breastmilk jaundice may last longer, sometimes up to 1-2 months, but it can be distinguished from hepatitis through tests. For breastmilk jaundice, medication is generally not required. During mild symptoms, breastfeeding can continue; if symptoms are severe, breastfeeding should be stopped and formula milk should be used instead. To ensure the baby receives the necessary nutrition, a method of feeding breastmilk in small amounts multiple times can be adopted. During the period of breastfeeding cessation, a breast pump can be used to express milk to maintain milk production. Once the jaundice subsides or disappears, breastfeeding can be resumed. Afterward, even with mild jaundice, breastfeeding does not need to be stopped. As the baby grows older, jaundice usually diminishes gradually and has little impact on the baby’s growth and development, so there is no need to worry excessively. If the jaundice does not decrease or even worsens after breastfeeding is stopped, a further medical examination should be conducted at the hospital.