Jaundice and Your Baby

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns. It is usually temporary and easy to treat. To treat infant jaundice, your child’s doctor has recommended phototherapy, sometimes called light therapy. Below is some information about jaundice and phototherapy.

What is jaundice?

Jaundice is a yellow appearance of a baby’s skin and the whites of their eyes. A high (elevated) level of bilirubin in a newborn’s body causes jaundice.

What is bilirubin?

Bilirubin is an orange-yellow substance produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is broken down (metabolized) in the liver and the body gets rid of (eliminates) the bilirubin in poop (stool). The buildup of bilirubin causes the yellow color.

What is phototherapy?

Phototherapy is a special kind of light that helps the body get rid of bilirubin. The light, which looks blue-green, changes the bilirubin so it is easier for your baby to get rid of it through poop in their diaper. There is a light over the baby and also a light that comes through a special blanket the baby lays on.

Is phototherapy safe?

Phototherapy is safe for your baby. Your baby’s doctor will prescribe phototherapy based on your newborn’s age and their bilirubin level. While under phototherapy, we will cover your baby’s eyes and genitals with an eye shield and a diaper.

What is a bilirubin blanket?

A bilirubin blanket is an important part of phototherapy treatment. It is a pad of woven fibers that gives light therapy directly to your baby’s skin. It is very important to use this blanket at all times during phototherapy treatment, even when you are comforting or feeding your baby.

What can help decrease jaundice and bilirubin level during the treatment?

• The amount of time under the light
• The amount of skin exposed to the light
• Adequate feeding/hydration

You can help by making sure:

• Your baby is under the bili-lights and on the bilirubin blanket as much as possible.
• Your baby exposes as much skin as possible to the light.
• While feeding and cuddling your baby, you use the bili-blanket.

Feeding your baby during phototherapy

If you are breastfeeding:

• Continue to feed your baby on demand.
• Talk with your health care team about your baby's feeding plan. They may suggest pumping or supplementing with donor breast milk or formula.
• Be mindful of the length of time your baby is feeding. Discuss with your baby’s healthcare team if there is a maximum time that your baby should be away from the overhead bili-lights.

If you are feeding your baby with formula:

• Feed your baby every 3 to 4 hours or when your baby shows feeding cues.

While feeding, your baby should be on the bili-blanket.

Always hold or feed your baby with the bili-blanket so that this therapy is working for your baby at all times.

How long does phototherapy last?

Your child’s nurse will check your baby’s bilirubin level before and during phototherapy treatment. The health care team will tell you when it is safe to stop the phototherapy.

If you have any questions, please ask a member of your baby’s care team.

We welcome your questions and concerns.

Please let us know how we can best support your child and family.

Created in partnership with families and expertise from our Sala Institute for Child and Family Centered Care

© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.