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Breastfeeding Jaundice - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment.

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Breastfeeding jaundice is common in newborns and occurs due to inadequate milk intake. To know more, read the article below.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Published At October 26, 2022
Reviewed AtDecember 14, 2022

What Is Breastfeeding Jaundice?

During the first week of life, it is prevalent to have jaundice in newborns, and it is said that around 60 % of full-term babies and 75 % of preterm babies get affected. Jaundice in breastfeeding infants is very common with elevated bilirubin levels; it makes the skin and eyes look yellowish tint. Jaundice does not cause any complications and settles down by itself over time. When the mother starts breastfeeding, the consistent milk supply helps lower the baby's bilirubin levels. However, it is sometimes difficult to get rid of jaundice, leading to breastfeeding jaundice or breast milk jaundice.

Breastfeeding jaundice or breast milk jaundice are two different conditions. Breastfeeding jaundice typically occurs due to poor milk intake, causing bilirubin levels to rise. Nobody will be aware of breast milk jaundice and may think that it may be related to some of the components of breast milk. However, this is not a significant problem in most children, and mothers are advised to continue breastfeeding even if their child develops jaundice.

What Causes Breastfeeding Jaundice?

During the first weeks of life, both mother and child do not know how to breastfeed as they are in the early stages of understanding how to breastfeed. When the baby does not receive enough milk, it results in breastfeeding jaundice as breast milk helps lower the bilirubin levels. Breastfeeding jaundice causes bilirubin to get reabsorbed in the intestines, so the bilirubin levels get elevated, which triggers jaundice. In addition, the baby's early bowel movements also help to remove bilirubin, but an inadequate supply of milk may delay the early bowel movements. The other causes of breastfeeding jaundice are difficulty breastfeeding, supplements interfering with breastfeeding, and improper lactation. These problems are common, so do not stop breastfeeding and consult a lactation counselor as the earliest. They help the mother with their problems. Following that, instructions will be given to increase the number of feedings per day, as the baby should receive the right amount of milk each time.

How Does Breastfeeding Jaundice Cause Brain Damage?

Most of the time, breastfeeding jaundice is said to resolve by itself without any complications, and it rarely causes major health concerns. When the jaundice is diagnosed and treated early, it can eventually clear up without harming the baby. However, if not interpreted and left untreated, it can lead to a life-threatening condition known as kernicterus. When jaundice evolves into kernicterus, it can permanently damage the baby's brain.

How Long Does Jaundice Take To Go Away in Breastfed Babies?

Jaundice in newborn babies goes away completely when the baby is three weeks old. However, breastfed babies take a bit longer to clear up jaundice faster because they do not get enough milk during the first few days. In addition, the proteins, enzymes, and other nutritional benefits present in breast milk prevent the breakdown of free bilirubin by the liver. In some cases, there will be a rise in the bilirubin over 14 days, but this will eventually decrease and does not require medical intervention.

Does Breastfeeding Make Jaundice Worse?

Breastfeeding is considered to be the best and healthier for babies, but it is not true in the case of infant jaundice. Breastfed babies are more common to get infant jaundice than bottle-fed babies because their metabolism starts a little slower. When the babies on formula get jaundiced, they usually recover faster than breastfed babies.

How Is Breastfeeding Jaundice Treated?

Every mother should know the facts that help reduce their child's bilirubin levels. The following are some of the treatments that may be useful if your child's bilirubin levels are below 20 milligrams.

  • Increase the frequency of daily feeding for your baby. Babies with jaundice should be recommended to feed 8 to 12 times a day. It will help the baby to cultivate more bowel movements that help in excreting the bilirubin.

  • Consult a lactation counselor because they help assist you with a proper breastfeeding technique. They also teach about the best positions for the baby to latch onto the breast correctly to have better access to milk. Lactation consultants might also prescribe supplements to help pump the breast milk routinely for the food to be available throughout the day.

  • Do not stop breastfeeding if jaundice occurs because, in most cases, healthcare professionals motivate mothers to feed their babies consistently. When the bilirubin levels are above 20 milligrams, stop breastfeeding for 24 hours and use phototherapy. This treatment is highly effective in case of a sudden decrease in bilirubin levels.

  • When you have already used phototherapy to treat jaundice, you can inform the doctor about using a fiber-optic blanket, a portable phototherapy device for the treatment of jaundice. This device helps to reduce bilirubin levels without interrupting breastfeeding.

  • In addition, there are certain things need to be avoided for newborns with jaundice. They are:

  1. Avoid supplementing with sugar water as it may worsen jaundice by interrupting breast milk.

  2. Sugar water does not help to reduce bilirubin levels.

  3. Do not stop breastfeeding unless and until your physician advises, as breastfeeding is highly nutritious and is the best method to get rid of jaundice.

How to Prevent Breastfeeding Jaundice?

There is no specific way to prevent jaundice because it is a naturally occurring condition. However, the following steps help prevent jaundice from worsening; they are:

  • Do not delay breastfeeding the baby, as it helps lower the problems.

  • Consult a lactation counselor to ensure how to breastfeed your child properly.

  • Do not put your child on a feeding schedule and start breastfeeding them consistently until they become familiar with the breastfeeding process.

  • Do not supplement breast milk or interrupt breastfeeding.

Conclusion:

Jaundice in newborns and infants is not a serious health condition. With the advancements in medicine and health care, toddler and infant jaundice has become manageable. The management includes the careful monitoring of the baby with ample breast milk. It is important to avoid self-medication during breastfeeding, as it is one of the best ways to manage jaundice. In addition, it is also important to consult your doctor if you plan on interrupting the breastfeeding process. This will enable the health care professionals to educate you regarding the causes of severe jaundice that might require immediate medical intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

How Many Days Will Breastfeeding Jaundice Last?

 
Breastfeeding jaundice is seen in newborns in the first or second week of life. It can continue for several weeks. The condition will go away with proper treatment and monitoring. In some cases, the condition may even persist till twelve weeks of life.

2.

How to Treat the Breastfeeding Jaundice?

The most commonly advised treatment for breastfeeding jaundice is phototherapy. The treatment is not necessary unless the serum bilirubin count is higher than the guidelines prescribed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Other therapeutic modalities include temporary supplementation with donor human milk or infant formula.

3.

Is There a Need to Stop Breastfeeding if the Baby Has Breastfeeding Jaundice?

 
There is no need to stop breastfeeding the baby in fact, and the mother should increase the number of times the baby is breastfed. It is also advised that the mother should consult a lactation consultant to make sure the baby receives right amount of milk each time.

4.

What Diet Should the Mother Follow if the Baby Has Jaundice?

In case of breastfeeding jaundice, it is important for the mother to follow a good diet and this can also help the baby heal if one is breastfeeding. The mother should include food that are high in fiber, papaya, mango, fresh vegetables, and plenty of water.

5.

What Is the Difference Between Breastfeeding Jaundice and Breast Milk Jaundice?

When jaundice is seen in a breastfed baby in the first week of life who does not have any other health issues, then it is called breastmilk jaundice. Whereas when a baby does not get enough breast milk, then this type of jaundice is called breastfeeding jaundice.

6.

Can Sunlight Treat Breast Milk Jaundice?

Sunlight therapy is advised for newborn babies not only as a treatment modality but also as prevention in asymptomatic babies. The treatment of breast milk jaundice will depend on the bilirubin level and how fast the bilirubin level is increasing in the infant. Hence, phototherapy is advised when the bilirubin level of the baby is not above the guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

7.

Can Jaundice Cause Brain Damage?

When the bilirubin increases to reach a high level, it can affect the brain or the central nervous system. This condition is called the kernicterus

8.

Does jaundice affect the mental health of the child?

A child who was diagnosed with jaundice in the first few weeks of lfe has higher risk of developing autism. Also there are chance for the child to develop various other psychological devlopment disorders.
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar
Dr. Kaushal Bhavsar

Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)

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