How is newborn jaundice treated?
The severity of the newborn’s jaundice will determine if and what type of treatment is needed: • Mild: If the baby has mild levels of jaundice, it usually goes away on its own. Plenty of fluids of frequent feedings can help make the jaundice go away. If poor breastfeeding is the cause of the jaundice, switching to formula temporarily may help. • Moderate: If the baby has moderate levels of jaundice, a doctor may recommend phototherapy. During phototherapy, the baby is placed under a special light and wears goggles. The light helps the liver remove bilirubin in the baby’s body. • Severe: If the baby has very severe jaundice and other treatments do not work, a doctor may recommend an exchange transfusion. In this treatment, the baby’s blood is exchanged with donated blood to remove bilirubin from the blood. Only certain hospitals can perform exchange transfusions.
