Question
At 30 days old, my baby’s face still has un fading jaundice. How should I handle this? Does jaundice have an impact on the child’s health? Is it necessary to temporarily stop breastfeeding for 3 days as suggested by the doctor?
Answer
When a newborn develops jaundice, it’s crucial to determine whether it’s pathological jaundice or breastmilk jaundice to take appropriate treatment measures. Physiological jaundice typically appears within 2 to 3 days after birth, reaches its peak at 4 to 5 days, and should resolve spontaneously within a month. If jaundice appears within 24 hours after birth, or if it persists beyond a month, or if the skin yellowing is severe, or if skin yellowing recurs after physiological jaundice has resolved, or if yellowing appears for the first time after half a month, these are all signs of pathological jaundice. For breastmilk jaundice, it may be necessary to temporarily discontinue breastfeeding and resume feeding once the baby’s jaundice has subsided. For pathological jaundice, it should be taken seriously because it is often a manifestation of an underlying condition and requires identifying the cause. Additionally, if bilirubin levels reach a certain degree without being combined, they may cross the blood-brain barrier and damage brain cells, leading to death or resulting in sequelae such as cerebral palsy or intellectual disability. Therefore, if there is any suspicion of pathological jaundice in a newborn, immediate medical attention should be sought. It is recommended that you follow the doctor’s guidance for treatment.