Can your breast milk give your baby jaundice?

Understanding Breast Milk Jaundice
Breast milk jaundice is a condition that can affect newborns, typically manifesting as a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. This phenomenon is particularly associated with breastfeeding, leading to questions about whether breast milk itself can contribute to jaundice in infants.
The Mechanism Behind Breast Milk Jaundice
Breast milk jaundice usually occurs within the first week of life and is believed to be linked to the composition of breast milk. Specifically, certain substances in breast milk may inhibit the liver’s ability to process bilirubin effectively. This condition is distinct from “breastfeeding jaundice,” which arises from inadequate milk intake during the early days of breastfeeding, leading to increased bilirubin reabsorption in the intestines .
Interestingly, breast milk jaundice is relatively rare, affecting less than 3% of infants. When it does occur, it typically resolves on its own without necessitating the cessation of breastfeeding. The presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in breast milk has been noted in cases of breast milk jaundice, suggesting that this growth factor plays a role in the maturation of the gastrointestinal tract in newborns, which is crucial for bilirubin processing.
Duration and Management
Breast milk jaundice can persist for several weeks, sometimes lasting more than three weeks after birth. However, it is generally considered harmless, and continuing to breastfeed is safe and encouraged. The jaundice usually resolves without intervention, as the infant’s liver matures and becomes more efficient at processing bilirubin.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk can be associated with jaundice in newborns, it is important to differentiate between breast milk jaundice and breastfeeding jaundice. The former is a benign condition linked to the natural composition of breast milk, while the latter is often due to insufficient milk intake. Parents should feel reassured that breastfeeding can continue safely, and most cases of breast milk jaundice will resolve on their own as the infant grows.

What color is jaundice poop?

Unconjugated or indirect bilirubin: This pigment is increased mostly in infants with neonatal jaundice. It is the bilirubin associated with normal destruction of older red blood cells. This is called physiologic jaundice. The baby’s urine is usually light yellow and the stool color is mustard yellow or darker.

What does jaundice baby poop look like?

Unconjugated or indirect bilirubin: This pigment is increased mostly in infants with neonatal jaundice. It is the bilirubin associated with normal destruction of older red blood cells. This is called physiologic jaundice. The baby’s urine is usually light yellow and the stool color is mustard yellow or darker.

Can breastfeeding affect liver function?

Breastfeeding for longer than 6 months is associated with a lower risk of maternal non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mid-life.

How can I prevent jaundice while breastfeeding?

You can prevent the kind of jaundice that is caused by too little breastfeeding by making sure your baby is getting enough milk. Feed about 10 to 12 times each day, starting on the first day.

How to flush out jaundice in newborn?

Phototherapy is treatment with a special type of light (not sunlight). It’s sometimes used to treat newborn jaundice by making it easier for your baby’s liver to break down and remove the bilirubin from your baby’s blood. Phototherapy aims to expose your baby’s skin to as much light as possible.

What should not a mother eat when a baby has jaundice?

Foods and drinks to limit with jaundice include fried foods, refined carbs and sugary foods, alcohol, and highly processed foods.

Is jaundice in babies caused by the mother?

What Causes Jaundice in Children? During pregnancy, the mother’s liver breaks down the baby’s bilirubin. After birth, the baby’s own liver takes over this task. Jaundice occurs when the baby’s liver is not able to handle extra bilirubin on its own.

How to flush out breast milk jaundice?

Phototherapy (light therapy) is a common treatment for jaundice. Other therapeutic options include temporary additional feeding with donor human milk or infant formula. Rare occasions might require temporary interruption of breastfeeding.

What makes a baby at risk for jaundice?

Infant jaundice occurs because the baby’s blood contains an excess of bilirubin (bil-ih-ROO-bin), a yellow pigment of red blood cells. Infant jaundice is a common condition, particularly in babies born before 38 weeks’ gestation (preterm babies) and some breast-fed babies.

Can a baby get jaundice from breast milk?

Breastfeeding your baby can increase their chances of developing jaundice. But there’s no need to stop breastfeeding your baby if they have jaundice, because the symptoms normally pass in a few weeks.