Whats breastfeeding jaundice?
Breast feeding jaundice describes the fact that breast-fed babies with physiologic jaundice generally reach higher levels of total bilirubin compared to formula-fed babies. There are many theories why this is the case, but regardless, even breast-fed babies with physiologic jaundice seldom get high enough levels of bilirubin to cause any problems. Jaundice that occurs in the first week of life in breast-fed babies. There may be associated physiologic jaundice, but breastfeeding jaundice primarily results from decreased plasma volume, and, therefore, increased concentration of bilirubin. The bilirubin should be indirect only. Treatment for this condition is waiting for the mother’s milk to come in, thus increasing plasma volume and decreasing the concentration of bilirubin. Extra administration of water does not help the jaundice disappear more quickly, and, in fact, may cause higher bilirubin levels.
