Noticing a yellow tint in your newborn's eyes or skin can be unsettling. Jaundice is common in the first days after birth and often settles, but a baby who looks yellow should be assessed. You do not need to work out the cause or judge the colour yourself. A clinician can check your baby and measure a substance called bilirubin to decide what care is needed.
At a glance
- Jaundice may show as yellowing in the whites of the eyes, skin, gums or inside the cheeks. It can be harder to see on brown or darker skin.
- If you notice yellowing in the first 24 hours after birth, seek urgent medical assessment now. Tell your maternity team if still in hospital; otherwise go to an emergency facility.
- After the first day, contact your baby's doctor or care team promptly if you notice yellowing, it is increasing, or you are unsure. A visual check cannot tell you the bilirubin level.
- Get emergency help if your baby is difficult to wake, is not feeding, has no wet nappies, has trouble breathing, is floppy or has jerking movements, or has a measured temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.
- Keep following your baby's feeding plan and ask for help if feeding is difficult, whether you use breast milk, expressed milk, formula or a combination. Do not use sunlight to treat jaundice.
What jaundice is, and what you might see
Jaundice is yellowing caused by bilirubin building up in the blood. Many newborns develop some jaundice while their body becomes better at clearing bilirubin. Most cases improve, but some babies need treatment and some need tests for another cause. The way a baby looks cannot tell you which applies to your baby. NHS guidance on jaundice in babies explains the common course and why assessment matters.
Look at your baby in bright, indirect natural light. Yellowing may appear in the whites of the eyes or inside the mouth as well as on the skin. It may be less obvious on brown or darker skin. You can notice and report a change, but do not try to estimate how serious jaundice is from colour or a photograph. NICE guidance says visual inspection alone should not be used to estimate bilirubin.
Tell a clinician promptly if the baby's urine is dark yellow or brown, or stools are unusually pale or chalky. If possible, show them a nappy or a photograph of the stool. These changes need medical advice even if the yellowing seems mild. NHS guidance lists dark urine and pale stools as urgent signs.
When to get help
In the first 24 hours: If your baby appears yellow, seek urgent medical assessment straight away. Jaundice this early needs prompt bilirubin measurement and a clinician's review. If you are still in hospital, alert the maternity team immediately. If you are at home, go to an emergency facility. NICE guidance calls for urgent assessment in this period.
After 24 hours: Contact your baby's doctor or postnatal care team promptly if you first notice yellowing, it is worsening, or it is not improving. Ask when your baby should be assessed and whether bilirubin should be measured. Do not wait for a routine visit if you are worried, particularly if feeding or nappies have changed. NHS guidance advises an urgent check for suspected or worsening jaundice.
Emergency signs at any age: Seek emergency care immediately if your baby is unusually sleepy or difficult to wake, is not feeding, has no wet nappies, is floppy or stiff, has jerking or twitching movements, has difficulty breathing, or has a measured temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. Use your local emergency service or go to the nearest emergency facility. NHS guidance lists these as immediate warning signs. Trust your concern if your baby seems seriously unwell, even if the yellow tint is hard to see.
What an assessment may involve
A clinician will consider your baby's age in hours, feeding, nappies and overall health. They may measure bilirubin with a device placed against the skin or with a blood test. The result, your baby's age and other clinical factors guide whether the baby needs another check or treatment. NHS and NICE describe these checks. If you are discharged after an assessment, make sure you know when the next review is due and whom to contact sooner if things change.
Most babies do not need treatment. When treatment is needed, clinicians commonly use phototherapy, which is a controlled special light. It is not sunlight. Do not put your baby in direct sunlight as a home treatment; it is not a safe substitute. The American Academy of Pediatrics and NHS treatment guidance explain this distinction.
Feeding without blame
Regular, effective feeding matters because it helps babies pass bilirubin. Jaundice does not mean you have failed or chosen the wrong way to feed. Breast milk, expressed milk, formula and mixed feeding all deserve practical support. If your baby is too sleepy to feed, is feeding less than usual, or you are unsure whether they are getting enough, contact their care team promptly. Our newborn feeding guide covers cues and nappies without judging feeding choices.
Follow the feeding advice given for your baby. If supplementation or a change to feeding is suggested, ask why, how much, for how long and when it will be reviewed. Some babies may benefit from supplementation under a clinician's plan; it is not an automatic step for every jaundiced baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that treatment depends on the baby's circumstances. Do not give water, herbal remedies or other treatments in place of feeds or medical care.
Sources
- NHS: Jaundice in babies
- NICE: Jaundice in newborn babies under 28 days
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Jaundice in newborns
- NHS: Treatment for newborn jaundice
About this article
MomCare Haven Editorial Desk prepared this guide using the sources above. Health guidance and local services can change; we review articles when new evidence or corrections call for an update.
This article offers general information, not a diagnosis or individual treatment plan. Follow your baby's clinical advice and seek urgent help for warning signs.
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