How long does it take for jaundice to subside?

Jaundice is common, especially in newborns. Many newborns will develop jaundice after a few days, but the severity varies from person to person. Most jaundice is physiological jaundice, which will disappear on its own after a few days; but pathological jaundice will not disappear easily, and even if it disappears, it will recur quickly. So how long will it take for neonatal jaundice to completely disappear?

1. How long does it take for baby's jaundice to subside?

Neonatal physiological jaundice is generally not severe, and the onset and disappearance times are as follows:

Jaundice usually begins to appear 2-3 days after birth. The jaundice gradually worsens, reaching a peak on the 4th to 6th day, and then gradually subsides. For full-term newborns, jaundice usually disappears within 2 weeks after birth, and for premature babies, jaundice usually disappears within 3 weeks after birth.

Pathological jaundice is caused by disease, which leads to abnormal metabolism of bilirubin. It occurs in a specific period of newborns, which significantly aggravates physiological jaundice and confuses it with physiological jaundice, making the diagnosis of jaundice difficult. The onset time of pathological jaundice is different from the disappearance time of physiological jaundice: jaundice appears too early, within 24 hours after birth. Jaundice disappears too late or lasts too long, exceeding the normal disappearance time, or jaundice has disappeared but reappears, or jaundice gradually disappears after the peak time but then progressively worsens.

Jaundice is persistent. It may persist or even worsen 2-3 weeks after birth, or it may get better and then worsen.

2. Nursing of neonatal jaundice

1. 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, so the feces have color. However, when the biliary tract is blocked, bilirubin accumulates in the liver and cannot be excreted, it will cause liver damage. Observe the baby's daily life: as long as you feel that the baby looks more and more yellow, has poor spirits and appetite, or has an unstable body temperature, is drowsy, and is prone to screaming and crying, you should go to the hospital for examination.

2. Carefully observe the changes in jaundice: Jaundice starts to turn yellow from the head and fades from the feet, and the eyes are the first to turn yellow and fade away the last, 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.

3. 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 breastfeeding will stimulate the secretion of lactogen and more milk will be secreted. Never think that the baby is not eating enough or that jaundice persists, and supplement with water or sugar water.