09/09/2026
Jaundice is very common in newborn babies and causes the skin and whites of the eyes to develop a yellowish appearance. It is caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood.
Newborn babies produce more bilirubin than adults, and their developing liver can take a little time to process it efficiently. As a result, mild jaundice often appears around 2β3 days after birth and usually improves in a few weeks as the baby's liver matures.
In many babies, jaundice is mild and does not require treatment. Your healthcare team may monitor your baby's bilirubin levels, particularly if the jaundice appears early or becomes more noticeable.
Treatment may be recommended if bilirubin levels become too high. The most common treatment is phototherapy, where your baby is placed under a special type of light that helps the body remove bilirubin.
You should seek medical advice if:
β’ Your baby develops jaundice within the first 24 hours after birth
β’ The yellow colouring becomes more pronounced
β’ Your baby is very sleepy or difficult to wake
At Obstetric Care, Professor Savvidou and the team are here to support you throughout pregnancy, birth and those important first days with your new baby.
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