Many newborns look slightly yellow in the first week because of a breakdown product of blood called bilirubin. This physiological jaundice often peaks around day 3–5 and then fades. Breastfed babies can have a slower rise; your team will plot bilirubin against age-in-hours to decide if observation, feeding support, or phototherapy (blue light treatment) is needed.
When to come in without delay
- Jaundice in the first 24 hours of life (pathological until proven otherwise).
- Very sleepy baby, poor feeding, or high-pitched cry.
- Yellowing that moves quickly to the legs or soles — the pediatrician or neonatology unit should assess the same day.
At Janta Hospital, our Level II NICU offers phototherapy, serial monitoring, and family counselling — in the same building as maternity, so transfers are smooth. Call 94668-03877 for emergency or routine newborn OPD in Tohana.
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