Jaundice in newborns: when yellow skin needs a doctor

Many parents notice that their new baby’s skin or eyes look a little yellow a few days after birth. This is called newborn jaundice. It is common and usually harmless, and it often gets better without treatment. But sometimes jaundice means a baby needs care quickly. This article explains how to tell the difference and which doctor to see.

What is newborn jaundice?

Jaundice happens when a yellow substance called bilirubin builds up in the baby’s blood. Bilirubin is made when red blood cells break down. Newborn babies have a lot of red blood cells, and these are broken down and replaced often. The liver removes bilirubin, and it leaves the body in the stool.

During pregnancy, the mother’s liver removes bilirubin for the baby. After birth, the baby’s own liver has to do this job, but in some babies it is not yet developed enough to do it well. That is why most newborns have some jaundice. Doctors call this physiological jaundice, meaning the normal kind.

The NHS (UK) says that in most babies with jaundice, the yellow colour is most noticeable at about 3 days old. It usually takes about 2 weeks to go.

How common is it in Bangladesh?

A study from Rajshahi Division, published in January 2026, looked at health problems in babies’ first 28 days of life. Jaundice was the condition reported most often, at 14.1% in that study.

How to check your baby for jaundice

Jaundice usually starts on the face and head. As bilirubin rises, it spreads down to the chest, belly, arms and legs, and can reach the feet.

Jaundice can be harder to see on brown or black skin. NHS and CDC advice suggests these checks:

Look at the whites of the eyes.
Look at the gums, inside the cheeks and under the tongue.
Gently press the tip of the nose or the forehead. This can make the yellow easier to see.
Check in bright light, ideally daylight.
On darker skin, the yellow may also be easier to see on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Also watch the nappies (diapers). A newborn’s urine should be colourless, and stool should be yellow or orange. Dark yellow or brown urine or pale, chalky or creamy stool needs a doctor’s attention.

Why does jaundice sometimes become serious?

Some babies are more likely to get high bilirubin levels. According to the CDC, NHS and MedlinePlus, causes and risk factors include:

Being born early (before 37 weeks)
A blood group mismatch between mother and baby (ABO or Rh incompatibility)
Inherited conditions such as G6PD deficiency, an inherited enzyme deficiency
Bruising at birth, including bleeding under the scalp
Infection in the baby
Not feeding, passing urine or passing stool well in the first few days
Diseases of the liver or bile ducts
A brother or sister who had jaundice as a newborn

If severe jaundice is not treated for too long, it can damage the brain. This is called kernicterus. The CDC says it can cause cerebral palsy (a condition that affects movement), hearing loss, and problems with vision and teeth. The CDC also says that finding and treating jaundice early can prevent kernicterus. That is why checking matters.

Warning signs: get urgent care

Take your baby to the nearest hospital emergency department straight away if your baby has jaundice and any of the following:

Your baby is less than 24 hours old
Sleepier than normal or hard to wake
Not feeding
Floppy or stiff body, or jerking or twitching movements
A high-pitched cry or crying that cannot be soothed, the back arched like a bow, or strange eye movements
A temperature of 38°C or more, or 36°C or less, feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivering
Difficult or very fast breathing, grunting, or the belly sucking in under the ribs
No wet nappies

These signs come from NHS (UK) and US CDC advice. Do not wait to see if they get better on their own.

See a doctor the same day if:

Your baby is over 24 hours old and you think they have jaundice
Your baby has been diagnosed with jaundice and it is not getting better, or is getting worse
Your baby looks very yellow or orange, or the yellow is spreading down the body towards the legs and feet
Your baby is not feeding well, is very fussy, or has fewer wet or dirty nappies than usual
Urine is dark yellow or brown, or stool is pale or creamy. Keep a sample of the stool to show the doctor.

Book a check if jaundice lasts too long

Jaundice that lasts more than 2 weeks in a baby born at full term, or more than 3 weeks in a baby born early, is called prolonged jaundice. In breastfed babies it is often caused by breast milk jaundice, which is harmless and goes away by itself. But it still needs checking, because it can sometimes be a sign of liver disease, such as biliary atresia.

What you notice	What to do
Jaundice in a baby under 24 hours old, or jaundice with very sleepy baby, not feeding, floppy or stiff body, fits, fever or low temperature, breathing problems, no wet nappies	Go to hospital emergency now
You think your baby has jaundice (baby over 24 hours old), yellow getting deeper or spreading, poor feeding, dark urine, pale stool	See a doctor the same day
Jaundice still there after 2 weeks (3 weeks if born early)	Book a check with a paediatrician

How doctors test for jaundice

A doctor or nurse looks at the baby’s skin, eyes and gums in good light. To measure the level, they may use a light meter that is placed on the skin, or take a small blood sample, usually from the heel. If treatment is needed, they may do more blood tests to look for a cause, such as checking blood groups.

The CDC says the level at which treatment is needed depends on the baby’s age in hours and other risk factors. A doctor decides this.

What treatment involves

Most babies with jaundice get better without treatment. The NHS says feeding regularly, about 8 to 12 times a day, can help them get better more quickly. If your baby is sleepy, try waking them for feeds. Frequent feeding helps the baby pass stool, which removes bilirubin. If feeding is difficult, or you are not sure your baby is feeding enough, ask a doctor, nurse or midwife for help. Ask a doctor before giving extra formula.

If treatment is needed, it is usually phototherapy. The baby lies under special blue lights, wearing only a nappy and eye shields, to lower the bilirubin level. The CDC says the lights will not hurt the baby. The NHS says most babies need about 48 hours of phototherapy. In rare, severe cases, a baby may need fluids through a drip, medicine given into a vein, or an exchange transfusion, where some of the baby’s blood is replaced. This is done in hospital.

A note about sunlight: Some families put jaundiced babies in the sun. The US CDC says this is not a safe treatment for jaundice and could cause sunburn. The UK’s NICE guideline says sunlight should not be used to treat jaundice. If you are worried about your baby’s jaundice, see a doctor.

Which doctor should you see?

Paediatrician (child specialist): the usual first doctor for newborn jaundice, including follow-up checks.
Neonatologist (newborn specialist): looks after babies with severe jaundice, premature babies and babies who need care in a neonatal unit (NICU or SCANU).
Paediatric gastroenterologist or hepatologist (child stomach and liver specialist): for prolonged jaundice, pale stool or dark urine, when a liver problem is suspected.
Paediatric surgeon: if tests find a liver or bile duct problem that needs an operation.

In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital with a children’s or newborn unit. Do not wait for an appointment.

Getting advice in Bangladesh

The government health call centre Shasthyo Batayon (16263) runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can get a doctor’s advice or ask about the nearest government or private hospital. A phone call is not a substitute for an emergency visit if your baby shows any warning sign.

Key points

Jaundice is common in newborns and usually fades within about 2 weeks.
Check the eyes, gums and inside the mouth in good light, especially on darker skin.
Jaundice in the first 24 hours, a very sleepy baby, a baby who is not feeding, or any other warning sign needs urgent hospital care.
If you think your baby has jaundice, have them checked the same day.
Feed often. Do not use sunlight as treatment.
Jaundice lasting beyond 2 weeks (3 weeks if born early), pale stool or dark urine should be checked by a doctor.

Find a doctor

Browse Newborn doctors in Bangladesh on ratings.com.bd, with chambers and, where listed, visiting hours and phone numbers.

Sources

This article is general information, not medical advice. It was written by AI from the sources above. It did not pass the automatic check, and an administrator chose to publish it; no doctor or editor has reviewed it. For a diagnosis or treatment, see a registered doctor.