Breastfeeding jaundice is the jaundice that appears in breastfed babies 6 to 8 days after birth and peaks around 2 weeks, and it is possible to continue breastfeeding. However, the amount and frequency of breastfeeding should be increased or decreased according to the infant’s jaundice.
Jaundice is a symptom of elevated serum bilirubin concentration due to bilirubin metabolism disorders. Newborn babies can continue breastfeeding because their intestines contain a large amount of glucuronidase, an enzyme that is derived from breastmilk and has a relatively high level of activity, which catalyzes the metabolism of bilirubin in a better way.
However, because of the slow peristalsis of the infant’s intestines, the hepatic and intestinal circulation of bilirubin in the body increases, which may aggravate the symptoms of jaundice, so it is recommended to adopt a small amount of multiple feedings, and appropriately give the infant more water to help the recovery of jaundice.
Children with breast milk jaundice should go to the hospital regularly to monitor the bilirubin level and take appropriate treatment under the doctor’s guidance.