Breastfeeding a Baby with Jaundice

Ashanti Woods, M.D., specializes in General Pediatrics at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore. He offers a wide spectrum of pediatric care for newborns through adolescence. Dr. Woods was interviewed by Romper.com for a story regarding jaundice and breastfeeding.

Is there a need to stop breastfeeding a baby with jaundice?

Jaundice occurs when a baby does not receive enough liquid when they initially start breastfeeding. The baby's liver is not able to break down all of the components of breastmilk during the first few weeks of feeding and this can lead to jaundice. However there is no need for a mother to stop breastfeeding her baby. In fact, the more a baby is breastfed, the more the baby will eliminate bilirubin, the pigment that causes jaundice, through urination and stooling. In rare cases where a baby's bilirubin measurement is not improving, formula may be introduced to the baby's diet to improve the jaundice levels.

Is breastfeeding safe for a baby with jaundice?

It is safe for a mother to breastfeed if her baby has jaundice. The pediatrician will monitor the baby's bilirubin levels often by a blood measurement and physical exam. If the bilirubin/jaundice level is too high, the pediatrician will provide options to reduce the bilirubin value.

Are there any challenges breastfeeding a jaundiced baby?

Common challenges can include decreased milk production in the beginning of breastfeeding or poor suck-swallow mechanics from the baby. Breastfeeding is a process that involves the synergy of multiple components. Milk has to be produced by the mother and the baby has to be hungry. The baby then has to latch onto the mother's breast and generate enough force for the milk to come down, and then swallow the milk. This can be a new process except for the mother who has previous breastfeeding experience. While it can be challenging at first, in most cases both mother and baby eventually develop a routine and successfully breastfeed.

Are there any specific benefits to breastfeeding that helps jaundice clear faster?

A baby who is feeding well and receives a good amount of milk during the early stages of breastfeeding typically does not become jaundiced. However any baby, regardless of volume intake, can become jaundiced. It is important that mothers and families do not blame themselves for their baby's jaundice and remain optimistic and work with their pediatrician or lactation specialist to prevent the bilirubin level from going higher.

Dr. Ashanti Woods routinely serves as a pediatric medical consultant for a variety of children's medical and lifestyle topics for local television stations, newspapers, national magazines, blogs and blog talk radio. He has received numerous awards for his outstanding medical care including "Top Doctor" in the General Pediatrics category - Baltimore magazine; G. Bowers Mansdorfer Award for Primary Care (Mercy Medical Center), and Primary Care Pediatrician Award (University of Maryland Ambulatory Center).