Bringing your baby home for the first time is a joyful milestone—but it can also come with unexpected concerns, like jaundice. If you’ve noticed your newborn’s skin or eyes looking a bit yellow, you’re not alone. Jaundice is very common in newborns, and while it’s usually harmless, it’s important to understand when it’s something to watch and when to take action.
At Focus on Kids Pediatrics in Littleton, CO, we care for hundreds of families navigating newborn care every year—including jaundice. To help you feel more confident and informed, here are six key facts every parent should know about jaundice in babies, including causes, when to worry, and how we treat it.
1. Jaundice Is Common in Newborns
About 60% of full-term babies and 80% of premature babies develop some level of jaundice in the first week of life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It’s often considered a normal part of newborn development—especially if it shows up after the second day and resolves within a week or two.
As you begin to adjust to life with your newborn, it’s helpful to establish a newborn skin care routine that helps you monitor any changes in skin tone, including signs of jaundice.
2. There Are Different Types of Jaundice
Not all jaundice is the same. Here are a few types we commonly see:
- Physiological Jaundice – The most common form; appears 2–3 days after birth and usually resolves on its own.
- Breastfeeding Jaundice – Can occur when babies don’t get enough milk in the first few days.
- Breast Milk Jaundice – Caused by substances in breast milk that affect how bilirubin is broken down; may last longer but is usually harmless.
- Pathological Jaundice – Appears within 24 hours of birth or shows very high bilirubin levels; this type requires urgent care.
If you’re starting to introduce solids or trying to figure out feeding routines, check out our guide on how to start baby food to help support your baby’s digestion and nutrient absorption.
3. Symptoms Go Beyond Yellow Skin
While yellowing of the skin and eyes is the most visible sign, there are other symptoms to be aware of:
- Poor feeding
- Lethargy or low energy
- Difficulty waking up
- Dark yellow urine or pale stools
These signs can overlap with other common newborn issues. For example, vomiting in infants or pale stools may also signal other digestive concerns. That’s why it’s important to contact your pediatrician if your baby’s behavior or coloring changes suddenly.
4. We Use Simple Tests to Monitor Jaundice
At Focus on Kids Pediatrics, we check bilirubin levels in newborns using:
- Visual exams under natural light
- Transcutaneous bilirubin meters (a quick, noninvasive scan)
- Blood tests if bilirubin levels need to be tracked closely
These assessments are often part of regular pediatric doctor visits, where we monitor your child’s development and overall health from birth onward.
5. Most Cases Don’t Need Treatment
The vast majority of jaundice cases resolve on their own within two weeks. For babies who do need treatment, options include:
- Feeding support – More frequent nursing or formula can help the body flush out bilirubin
- Phototherapy – A special blue light that helps break down bilirubin through the skin
- Hospital care – In rare cases, babies may need IV fluids or advanced care for very high bilirubin levels
If you’re stocking up for a new baby, you might want to take a look at newborn baby kit essentials to prepare for care needs like jaundice monitoring and feeding support.
6. When to Call Your Pediatrician
Call your doctor if:
- Jaundice appears within the first 24 hours of birth
- The yellow color spreads or becomes more intense
- Your baby seems unusually sleepy, hard to wake, or refuses to eat
- You notice dark urine or pale poop
It’s especially important to be proactive if your baby is showing other neurological or feeding concerns. We also recommend reviewing possible risk factors related to newborn brain damage if your baby was born prematurely or experienced complications at birth.
Final Thoughts
Jaundice is one of the most common—and often harmless—conditions in newborns. But we understand that anything out of the ordinary can feel scary, especially in those first few days at home.
At Focus on Kids Pediatrics, our friendly pediatricians in Littleton is here to support you through every stage of newborn care, from jaundice monitoring to feeding guidance and beyond. If you have concerns about your baby’s skin color, behavior, or feeding habits, we’re just a phone call away.