Jaundice in babies is a common condition that causes yellow discoloration of a newborn babys skin and eyes. It occurs because the babys blood contains an excess of bilirubin, a yellow pigment of red blood cells. Bilirubin is a chemical that the body makes when it breaks down old red blood cells, and the liver normally filters bilirubin from the blood. However, in some babies, the liver isnt mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream, leading to jaundice.

The main sign of jaundice is the yellowing of the babys skin, which usually appears between the second and fourth day after birth. The yellowing may start on the face and then move down to the chest, belly area, legs, and soles of the feet. The whites of the babys eyes and under their tongue may also look yellow. Jaundice may be difficult to see if the baby has darker skin, but it can still be detected by the color of their eyes and under their tongue.

Most infants born between 35 weeks gestation and full term need no treatment for jaundice, and mild levels of jaundice typically go away on their own as the babys liver continues to develop. Feeding the baby often (10 to 12 times a day) can encourage bowel movements, which helps the baby rid their body of the excess bilirubin. However, in rare cases, an unusually high blood level of bilirubin can place a newborn at risk of brain damage, particularly in the presence of certain risk factors for severe jaundice.

In some babies, an underlying disease may cause infant jaundice, and jaundice often appears much earlier or mu...