In short: Mild jaundice that appears after the first 24 hours and fades within two weeks is common and usually harmless. Jaundice in the first day of life, yellow colour spreading to the tummy, arms or legs, a very sleepy baby, or pale stools need a same-day check by a pediatrician.
Why do newborns get jaundice?
Jaundice is the yellow colour of the skin and eyes caused by bilirubin, a substance made when red blood cells break down. Before birth, the mother’s liver clears it. After birth, a baby’s liver takes a few days to get up to speed, so bilirubin builds up for a while. This is called physiological jaundice, and more than half of healthy term babies have some.
It usually:
- appears on day 2 or 3
- is most noticeable around days 3–5
- fades by about 2 weeks (up to 3 weeks in premature babies)
Breastfed babies can stay mildly yellow a little longer. That is rarely a reason to stop breastfeeding — frequent feeds actually help clear bilirubin.
Normal jaundice or a reason to check?
| Sign | Usually normal | See a pediatrician the same day |
|---|---|---|
| When it starts | Day 2–3 after birth | Within the first 24 hours |
| Where it shows | Face and eyes | Spreading to tummy, arms, legs or soles |
| Baby’s behaviour | Alert, feeding 8–12 times a day | Very sleepy, hard to wake, feeding poorly |
| Nappies | 6+ wet nappies a day, yellow stools | Few wet nappies, pale or white stools, dark urine |
| How long it lasts | Fades by 2 weeks (3 weeks if premature) | Still yellow after 2–3 weeks |
How to check your baby at home
Look at your baby in natural daylight (not under a yellow bulb). Gently press a fingertip on the forehead or nose for a second and release. If the skin looks yellow where you pressed, your baby has jaundice. Jaundice usually spreads from the face downwards — yellow on the tummy, arms or legs means the level may be higher and should be checked.
The whites of the eyes and the gums are also good places to look, especially for babies with darker skin.
Warning signs: see a pediatrician the same day
- Jaundice that appears within the first 24 hours of birth
- Yellow colour spreading to the tummy, arms, legs or soles
- A baby who is very sleepy, hard to wake or feeding poorly
- Fewer than 6 wet nappies a day after day 5
- Pale, white or clay-coloured stools, or dark urine that stains the nappy
- Jaundice still present after 2 weeks (3 weeks if born early)
- Fever, or a baby who seems unwell in any way
Very high bilirubin can, rarely, affect the brain, which is why early checks matter. Pale stools with prolonged jaundice can point to a liver problem that needs urgent tests.
How is jaundice tested and treated?
Your pediatrician will examine your baby and may use a skin meter or a small blood test to measure the bilirubin level. The result is compared with a chart for your baby’s age in hours.
- Mild jaundice: frequent feeding (8–12 times a day) and a follow-up check.
- Higher levels: phototherapy — your baby lies under a special blue light that helps break down bilirubin. It is safe, painless and usually needed for one to two days.
- Very high levels (rare): more intensive treatment in a newborn unit.
Putting your baby in sunlight is not a safe or reliable treatment — it can cause sunburn or overheating and doesn’t treat jaundice properly.
When to book the first check-up
Every newborn should be seen within 3–5 days of birth, or within 48 hours of going home if you were discharged early, because this is when jaundice usually peaks. At Genesiss we check jaundice, weight and feeding at this visit.
If you’re unsure whether your baby looks yellow, it’s always fine to ask. Book a newborn check-up or read more about our newborn care.
