Many newborns look a little yellow in the first days of life. Most of this is "physiological jaundice" and settles on its own, but some babies need light treatment (phototherapy), and a few have a liver or blood problem that must be found early. In older children, yellow eyes usually point to the liver and always deserve a check-up.
Signs parents notice
- Yellow colour of the skin and the whites of the eyes
- A baby who is very sleepy or feeding poorly
- Dark yellow urine that stains the nappy
- Pale, white or clay-coloured stools
- Jaundice appearing in the first 24 hours, or lasting beyond 2 weeks (3 weeks in pre-term babies)
Common causes
- Physiological jaundice — the newborn liver is still maturing
- Breastfeeding jaundice (not enough milk in the first week) and breast-milk jaundice
- Blood group incompatibility between mother and baby (Rh or ABO)
- Infection
- Liver and bile-duct conditions such as biliary atresia or choledochal cyst
- In older children: viral hepatitis and other liver diseases
How Dr. Jenny evaluates & treats
- Checking the timing, the baby's feeding and the bilirubin level against age-specific charts
- Advice on frequent feeding — the simplest way to help bilirubin leave the body
- Phototherapy guidance and, rarely, referral for exchange transfusion when levels are very high
- For prolonged jaundice: split (conjugated) bilirubin and stool-colour check to rule out a liver cause
- Fast-track evaluation when stools are pale, because some liver conditions need surgery within weeks
When to see a doctor
- Jaundice in the first 24 hours of life
- A yellow baby who is not feeding well, is very sleepy or has a fever
- Jaundice beyond 2 weeks of age
- Any pale or white stool — show the nappy to the doctor
Serial: 01786-126908 · In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Watch: Dr. Jenny explains
Jaundice & liver
নবজাতক শিশুর জন্ডিস হলে করণীয়
What to do when your newborn has jaundice
Watch on YouTubeJaundice & liver
শিশুর জন্ডিসের লক্ষণ ও চিকিৎসা | নবজাতকের জন্ডিস কি স্বাভাবিক?
Jaundice in babies — when is it normal?
Watch on YouTubeJaundice & liver
শিশুর পায়খানা সাদা বা ফ্যাকাশে? এই সতর্ক সংকেতটি অবহেলা করবেন না!
Pale or white stool — a warning sign not to ignore
Watch on YouTubeFrequently asked questions
Should I put my jaundiced baby in sunlight?
Sunlight is not a safe or reliable treatment for newborn jaundice. If the bilirubin level is high, medical phototherapy is used under supervision. Keep feeding often and have the level checked.
Is newborn jaundice dangerous?
Usually not, but very high bilirubin that is not treated can harm the brain (kernicterus). That is why early checks matter, especially if jaundice starts early, rises quickly or lasts beyond two weeks.
This page gives general information for parents and is being reviewed by Dr. Ferdous Ara Jenny. It does not replace a consultation — every child is different.