My baby is jaundiced. Can I continue to breastfeed?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding continue when jaundice is physiologic. At least four different studies show that early and more frequent feedings during the first three to four days postpartum decreases the likelihood of jaundice. In one study, babies who breastfed within the first hour after birth had the first meconium passage almost twice as quickly (4.5 hours vs. 8.2 hours) and had a bili level almost 2 points lower on average. If a baby is already jaundiced, breastfeeding should continue with feedings no farther apart than every two hours. Depending on the baby's bilirubin level, your physician may recommend a supplement, but it is still possible to breastfeed (or give the supplement at the breast). Physiologic jaundice is different from breastmilk jaundice (late onset) which does not show up until 10-14 days postpartum. Treatment for breastmilk jaundice usually requires a cessation of breastfeeding for 24 hours (while mom pumps and feeds baby formula). So, if your baby is only 4 days old, and your doctor tells your baby has breastmilk jaundice and needs to stop breastfeeding, you know it is time to obtain a second opinion. Breastmilk jaundice only occurs in roughly one out of every 200 breastfeeding women.