Breast milk jaundice

Alternative names:

jaundice associated with breast feeding; jaundice associated with nursing

Treatment:

Stopping of nursing for 24 to 48 hours will result in a rapid drop of bilirubin. The mother can express the milk or pump her breasts to maintain comfort and the flow of milk. When nursing is restarted, the bilirubin will not return to previous levels.

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is expected.

Complications:

There are usually no complications.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are breast feeding your baby and the baby becomes severely yellow (jaundice), or if newborn jaundice lasts for longer than one week.