How many days does it usually take to be discharged from hospital for jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice is sometimes very mild and will disappear automatically within a few days. This is the most common physiological jaundice. However, jaundice that not only does not disappear but becomes more and more serious is generally pathological jaundice, and this requires timely hospital treatment. If jaundice is severe and not treated in time, it will bring many negative effects to the baby. So, how many days does a baby with jaundice usually need to stay in the hospital? The following is the relevant information, let’s take a look.

1. Discharge criteria for neonatal jaundice

Neonatal jaundice is divided into physiological jaundice and pathological jaundice according to the different causes of jaundice. The bilirubin level of physiological jaundice is generally not very high, and most cases do not require treatment. The treatment and course of pathological jaundice vary depending on the underlying disease that causes jaundice. We usually judge whether the baby can be discharged from the hospital based on the bilirubin level. Generally speaking, the baby can be discharged from the hospital when the jaundice index drops below 8 and there is no obvious rebound of jaundice after interruption of treatment. The specific time required depends on a comprehensive assessment of many factors, including the primary disease, bilirubin level, response to treatment, etc.

2. How to care for neonatal jaundice

1. Pay attention to the color of your baby’s stool

Pay attention to the color of your baby's stool. If there is a problem with the liver or bile duct, the stool will turn white, but it will not turn white suddenly, but will become lighter and lighter. If the stool suddenly turns yellow, you must take it to a doctor. This is because under normal circumstances, the bilirubin processed by the liver will be excreted through the bile duct to the intestines, causing the feces to become colored.

2. Always monitor your baby’s jaundice

Jaundice starts from the head and fades from the feet, but the eyes are the first to turn yellow and the last to fade, so you can start by observing the eyes. If you don't know what to do, experts suggest that you can press any part of the body. As long as the skin you press appears white, it's fine. If it appears yellow, you should be careful. If you feel that your baby is looking increasingly yellow, has poor spirits and appetite, or has an unstable body temperature, is drowsy, or is prone to shrill crying, you should go to the hospital for a check-up.

3. Let your baby get more exposure to natural light

The reason why you should continue to use natural light after you return home is that natural light contains all wavelengths, and exposure to light will be more or less helpful. Moreover, a house that is too dark will affect the baby's absorption of vitamin D, but do not let the baby be exposed to the sun directly, for fear of sunburn and damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

4. It is best to breastfeed frequently

If it is proven that jaundice is caused by insufficient feeding, the mother must feed the baby frequently, because milk secretion is a normal physiological reaction. Frequent sucking will stimulate the secretion of lactogen and more milk will be secreted. Never supplement with water or sugar water, thinking that the baby is not eating enough or that jaundice persists. Mothers who are unsure whether their babies are getting enough can observe the frequency of urination. If they urinate more than 6 times a day and their baby continues to gain weight, it means they are eating enough. But you still need to observe the baby's subsequent condition changes. If the jaundice subsides and then increases again, there is definitely a problem and you must go to the hospital for a check-up in time.