Newborn jaundice: why babies turn yellow and what to do

Yellow skin is very common in newborns and is usually harmless, but it should always be checked. Here’s what the NHS says to look for.

What is it?

The NHS calls newborn jaundice a common condition that is usually harmless. The yellowing is usually most noticeable around 3 days old (days 2 to 3 is when it often appears), and it typically takes about 2 weeks to fade. The NHS says jaundice in the first 24 hours needs an immediate check by a health professional.

What to look for

Yellow whites of the eyes, skin that often starts on the face and head, and yellow under the tongue or inside the cheeks. The NHS says it can be harder to see on black or brown skin.

Getting help

Ask for an urgent GP or midwife appointment, or call NHS 111, if your baby is over 24 hours old and you think they have jaundice, if they’ve been diagnosed and it isn’t getting better or is getting worse, or if their pee is dark yellow or brown or their poo is a pale creamy colour. You can keep a poo sample to show them.

Call 999 or go to A&E if your baby is:

under 24 hours old and yellow
sleepier than normal or hard to wake
not feeding
floppy or stiff, or jerking or twitching
feels hot or cold to the touch, or is shivering
has a high temperature of 38C or more, or a low temperature of 36C or less
not producing any wet nappies, or very few
breathless or breathing very fast, or having trouble breathing

Jaundice that lasts longer

If your baby is still yellow after 2 weeks (3 weeks if they were born early), tell your midwife, health visitor or GP so they can arrange a check. Pale, chalky poo or persistently dark pee should be checked straight away at any age, because they can be a sign of a liver problem. This comes from hospital guidance rather than the main NHS page, which says only that jaundice typically takes about 2 weeks to fade.

Treatment

Most babies improve without treatment. The NHS says feeding regularly, around 8 to 12 times a day, can help, and sleepy babies should be woken for feeds. If treatment is needed, it is usually phototherapy, which means a special light on the skin, typically for about 48 hours. Rarely, a blood transfusion or intravenous medicine is given in hospital.

If feeding is difficult

Ask your midwife or GP for help if feeding is difficult or you’re unsure your baby is getting enough. See breastfeeding in the first few days.

Questions people ask

How long does jaundice last?

The NHS says it typically takes about 2 weeks to fade. If your baby is still yellow after 2 weeks (3 weeks if they were born early), tell your midwife, health visitor or GP.

Is jaundice dangerous?

Usually it’s harmless, but it does need to be checked. Follow the advice above on when to get help.

Can I treat jaundice at home?

The NHS says most babies improve without treatment, and that feeding regularly, around 8 to 12 times a day, can help. Always get a yellow baby checked using the advice above.