The Link Between Jaundice and Breastfeeding: A Complete Overview

When a baby is born with jaundice, it often raises questions and concerns for parents worried about their newborn’s well-being. Jaundice - the yellowing of a baby’s skin and eyes - is something that many infants experience in the first few days of life. It is usually harmless and resolves over time, but knowing the root cause and its treatment is important for a new parent.

Breastfeeding, the pinnacle of child nutrition, is vital to a baby’s development. However, parents don’t usually get clear messages about the connection between breastfeeding and jaundice. Can breastfeeding facilitate recovery? And could breastmilk be responsible for some cases? In this article, we examine the link between jaundice and breastfeeding, what’s true and what’s false, and provide parents with the facts they need to care for their newborns.

Understanding Jaundice

Jaundice is one of the most common conditions affecting newborns. According to a study, half of full-term infants develop jaundice, typically a couple of days after birth. [ref]

Although it’s rarely dangerous, the yellowing of the baby’s skin and eyes is distressing to new parents. This yellowing occurs because of the accumulation of bilirubin, a byproduct of normal red blood cell breakdown. Jaundice develops when a baby’s liver is not fully formed and is incapable of breaking down bilirubin.

Types of Jaundice

• Physiological Jaundice - Physiological jaundice is the most common type and is an adaptation to life after birth that a baby naturally develops. It usually appears 2-4 days after birth and goes away automatically in two weeks as the infant’s liver gets better at digesting bilirubin.
• Breast Milk Jaundice - Jaundice sometimes lingers in the breastfed infant longer because the mother’s milk contains chemicals that may temporarily alter bilirubin metabolism. The condition is known as breast milk jaundice, and it usually peaks in the second or third week of life, rarely leading to life-threatening illness. Research advocates breastfeeding, as the benefits outweigh any risks. [ref]
• Pathological Jaundice - Pathological jaundice, though less common, requires immediate medical attention. Underlying issues, like blood type abnormalities, infection, or liver disease, can trigger it. Diagnosis and early treatment are essential to avoid complications.

Causes of Jaundice in Newborns

Newborn jaundice stems mainly from the baby’s body adapting to life outside the womb. Though it’s often a temporary and treatable disorder, knowing the cause can empower parents to make the correct interventions for their baby’s well-being.

Immaturity of the Liver

The main reason why newborns often suffer from jaundice is because their liver is not mature enough. When a newborn’s liver is still developing, it might be inefficient at breaking down bilirubin, which accumulates briefly in the blood. This is especially common in premature babies, as their liver development lags behind full-term infants.

Blood Type Incompatibility

In cases where the mother and infant share a different blood type (e.g., Rh or ABO incompatibility), the infant’s immune system might destroy red blood cells faster than normal. This rapid breakdown leads to higher bilirubin levels, increasing the risk of jaundice.

Dehydration or Inadequate Feeding

Newborns who are not adequately breastfed or bottle-fed become dehydrated or receive inadequate nutrients. This can slow the elimination of bilirubin through stools and exacerbate jaundice.

Other Underlying Health Issues

Certain medical conditions, such as infections, genetic disorders, or metabolic issues, can contribute to jaundice. These less common causes often require further medical evaluation and treatment.

The Role of Breastfeeding in Jaundice

Breastfeeding is widely accepted as the most optimal food for newborn babies and has many more advantages than simple nourishment. Yet its connection with jaundice is complicated, and parents and carers need to know it better.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding gives babies nutrients and antibodies that build their growth and immune systems, prevent infection, and keep them healthy.

Along with these common uses, breast milk is also a very useful supplement for liver development and function. A strong liver is vital for excreting bilirubin (the stuff that makes you yellow) and flushing excess levels out more quickly.

How Breastfeeding Can Affect Jaundice

Colostrum and Early Feeding

Colostrum — the nutritious milk produced in the first few days of life — is a natural laxative. It assists newborns in excreting meconium, their first feces containing plenty of bilirubin. This early feeding drastically lowers bilirubin levels and eliminates jaundice.

Frequent Feeding and Hydration

Frequent breastfeeding keeps babies hydrated and nourished, both of which are important for effectively removing bilirubin. Frequent feeding stimulates digestion and elimination and helps to get rid of the bilirubin faster.

The Effect of Breast Milk on Bilirubin Levels

Sometimes, chemicals in breast milk temporarily interfere with the breakdown of bilirubin, resulting in breast milk jaundice. This normally develops in the second or third week of life and is not damaging. Doctors rarely suggest ceasing breastfeeding, as the benefits are more gratifying than harmful.

Managing Jaundice in Breastfed Infants

Jaundice in breastfed infants often resolves on its own with proper monitoring and care. However, parents need to learn how to handle the illness appropriately in order to take care of their baby’s health and well-being.

Monitoring Jaundice Levels

Watch the baby’s skin, eyes, and body language for signs of jaundice. The skin turns yellow starting from the face down, and the whites of the eyes may also appear yellow. You can monitor the baby’s diaper discharge and stool color – if the urine is dark or the stools are pale, it suggests elevated bilirubin levels. If jaundice persists for more than a week, or the baby is excessively sleepy, feeding poorly, and doesn’t gain weight, you should contact your doctor about this.

Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mothers

Importance of Regular Feedings

Frequent breastfeeding (approximately 8–12 times daily) keeps the baby hydrated and promotes regular stool excretion to neutralize bilirubin. Feeding should be given steadily, especially in the first days of life when the chance of jaundice is highest.

Seeking Medical Advice

If jaundice persists for more than two weeks or intensifies, parents should seek medical attention. Pediatrists might order a bilirubin test to determine whether further intervention is needed. Breastmilk should be ideally continued since it is a key source of nutrients and antibodies for the baby.

When to Supplement with Formula

In rare cases, supplementation with formula may be recommended. This is usually recommended if the infant is not gaining weight, is severely dehydrated, or there is not enough breast milk supply. Short-term supplementation will stabilize the infant while moms learn to produce more milk or breastfeed more efficiently under professional guidance.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

When it comes to jaundice and breastfeeding, myths and misconceptions can cause unnecessary worry for parents. Addressing these myths is key to ensuring that parents make informed decisions.

Myth: Breastfeeding causes jaundice

This needs to be clarified among new parents. Even though breastfeeding may cause some forms of jaundice (breast milk jaundice), it does not ‘cause’ the condition. Rather, breast milk jaundice is caused by elements in breast milk that may temporarily affect the conversion of bilirubin. But this jaundice is usually harmless and disappears on its own.

However, a study indicates that inadequate breast milk supply may hinder the excretion of bilirubin and increase the chances of jaundice in newborns. [ref]

Therefore, breastfeeding offers several advantages for infant growth and development.

Myth: Jaundice is always a sign of serious illness

For most newborns, jaundice is a natural and temporary condition that resolves on its own. The most prevalent form is physiological jaundice — which simply comes with the baby’s liver maturing. A few cases of jaundice might point to some deeper health problems, but those are relatively rare and are typically diagnosed early by doctors.

Myth: Formula feeding is always the solution for jaundice

Switching to formula feeding is not always necessary. Regular breastfeeding clears up jaundice by allowing the baby to hydrate and excrete bilirubin. Formula supplementation is only needed for extremely rare events like extreme dehydration or inadequate weight loss and is usually temporary.

Conclusion

Jaundice is a very common and easily treated newborn disorder that usually goes away with time and care. Breastfeeding helps to nourish and eliminate bilirubin, which is key to healing a baby.

Parents should monitor their baby’s jaundice levels, continue regular feedings, and consult doctors when needed to ensure their newborn’s health and well-being.