Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

Jaundice in babies

6-minute read

What is jaundice?

Jaundice in newborns is common. It can make your baby’s skin and the whites of their eyes go yellow. Mild jaundice occurs in about half of full-term newborns, and is more common in premature babies. You’re most likely to notice it from the third day after birth.

Jaundice is usually harmless and disappears in 1 to 2 weeks. But all cases of jaundice in newborn babies should be checked by a doctor or nurse.

What are the common causes of jaundice in newborns?

When red blood cells break down, a chemical called 'bilirubin' is released, this makes the skin go yellow. Newborn babies are born with (and need to break down) a lot of red blood cells but their liver isn't yet developed enough to process the bilirubin. This results in a bilirubin overload, leading to jaundice. By about 2 weeks, your baby's liver is more developed and will be better at removing bilirubin.

Most newborns with jaundice will have 'breast milk jaundice'. This type of jaundice usually sorts itself out without treatment, after several weeks. You do not need to stop breastfeeding.

Rare causes of jaundice in newborns

One rare type of jaundice occurs when the mother's and the baby's blood groups are incompatible (usually ABO or Rhesus factor incompatibility). This isn't usually a problem during a first pregnancy because the mother's and the baby's bloodstreams don't mix. But during the birth, some of the baby's blood might mix with the mother's blood.

The mother then develops antibodies that become active during the next pregnancy and cross the placenta to attack a second baby's red blood cells. The destruction of the red blood cells causes more bilirubin to be released into your second baby's bloodstream, leading to jaundice. This type of jaundice is usually seen in the first 24 hours after birth.

Biliary atresia is another rare cause of jaundice in babies. It happens when the tiny tubes that carry bile from the liver to the intestine get scarred. Babies with this condition usually grow normally and look well at first, but they will get very ill with serious liver disease if they aren't diagnosed and treated early. Their jaundice will usually go on after they are 2 weeks of age, and they might also have pale-looking poo.

What are the symptoms of jaundice?

Jaundice in a newborn will cause their skin and the whites of their eyes to go a yellow colour. It typically starts on the face and head. If the level of bilirubin increases, the colour will spread down to the body. Some babies might also be drowsy and have difficulty feeding.

When should I see my doctor?

Jaundice is usually harmless, but a nurse or doctor should check and monitor all cases of jaundice in newborn babies. You should take your baby to the doctor if:

  • your baby is unwell, feeding poorly and not gaining enough weight
  • your baby's poo becomes pale or their wee becomes dark
  • your baby develops jaundice in the first 48 hours after birth
  • the jaundice becomes more noticeable after a week
  • the jaundice hasn't gone away after 2 weeks

What are the tests for jaundice?

If your baby has jaundice lasting more than 2 weeks — especially if their poos are pale or their wees are dark — they'll need a blood test to check the 'conjugated bilirubin' levels in the blood. They might then need more tests on their liver.

How to treat normal jaundice

Treatment for jaundice in newborns depends on how bad it is and what has caused it.

If your baby has mild jaundice, the treatment is simple — they just need to have enough fluids, so ensure they are breast or formula fed regularly.

Babies who develop jaundice several days after birth usually just need careful monitoring, sometimes with heel prick blood tests, to check the bilirubin levels in their blood.

If the bilirubin levels are high, your baby might need to have phototherapy treatment. Phototherapy is treatment with a special kind of blue light that helps your baby’s liver to breakdown the bilirubin more easily. This treatment is very easy and safe.

Sometimes your baby is treated with phototherapy wrapped in a special blanket or sometimes in a cot with blue lights and their eyes covered for protection.

Phototherapy has minimal side effects. Sometimes your baby might have a mild rash and/or runny poo for a few days. Some babies might need extra feeds during this time. Most babies tolerate phototherapy treatment well.

In some cases, phototherapy is only needed for 24 hours or less, in other cases, it may be required for a few days.

If your baby has breast milk jaundice, you do not need to stop breastfeeding. This type of jaundice is usually mild and should get better by itself with time. Talk to your child health nurse or doctor if you're worried about what to do.

How to treat serious jaundice

Severe jaundice, in which bilirubin levels are very high, might need treatment with an exchange blood transfusion. This is when a baby’s own blood is replaced with compatible fresh blood. This isn’t common. Severe jaundice can very occasionally lead to deafness and even brain damage if not treated promptly.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: May 2022


Back To Top

Need more information?

Jaundice in newborns | Raising Children Network

Mild jaundice in newborns is quite common and usually harmless. Symptoms include yellow skin and eyes. Newborn jaundice usually goes away after 1-2 weeks.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Jaundice in babies - Better Health Channel

If your baby is full-term and healthy, mild jaundice is nothing to worry about and will resolve by itself within a week or so.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Jaundice in older babies and children | Raising Children Network

Jaundice in older babies and children is rare. Symptoms include yellowish skin and eyes. See a doctor if you think your child might have jaundice.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Newborn hearing test

The newborn hearing screening test allows those babies who have hearing loss to be identified early.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Corrected gestational age for premature babies

Corrected age accounts for your baby’s prematurity. It is important when assessing development, feeding and giving medications in young children.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Special care nursery (SCN)

A special care nursery (SCN) is where your newborn baby can get stronger while being cared for by specially trained staff. Read more about the SCN.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Poo & wee: what to expect in babies | Raising Children Network

Looking at your baby’s poo and wee might sound disgusting, but it’s not. It’s actually one of the best ways to check your baby’s health. Find out more.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Low-birth weight babies - MyDr.com.au

Babies are considered of low birth weight if they weigh less than 2500 g at birth. Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of disabilities.

Read more on myDr website

Premature baby

Preterm labour is when you go in to labour before your pregnancy reaches 37 weeks. Here's what to expect when you have your baby prematurely.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

A guide to blood tests in pregnancy | Know Pathology Know Healthcare

The following guide outlines the different pathology tests available throughout each trimester, and the purpose of your prenatal blood tests.

Read more on Know Pathology Know Healthcare website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.