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Breast milk jaundice

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Treatment:

Treatment will depend on the baby's bilirubin level. Often, this level is relatively low (less than 20 mg/dL), and no specific treatment is needed other than close followup.

More frequent nursing (up to 12 times a day) will increase the baby's fluid levels and can cause the bilirubin level to drop.

If the bilirubin level is more than 20 mg/dL, different treatment options are available. The mother can stop nursing for 24 to 48 hours, which will cause the bilirubin level to rapidly drop. During that time she can express the milk or pump her breasts (to maintain her comfort and the flow of milk) while feeding the baby formula. When nursing is restarted, bilirubin will not return to previous levels.

Other measures such as phototherapy ( bili lights ) may be used, but the baby may need to stay in the hospital for a short period of time. However, home phototherapy options are available.

Fluids, given by an IV, can also help increase the baby's fluid level and cause bilirubin levels to drop.

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is expected with appropriate monitoring and treatment.

Complications:

With appropriate treatment, there are usually no complications. However, failure to obtain timely and proper medical care can have severe consequences, since high bilirubin levels can be toxic to the baby's brain and other organs.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider immediately if you are breast feeding your baby and the baby's skin or eyes become yellow (jaundiced).

• Review Date: 10/25/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, M.D., FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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