Approximately one in three babies worldwide develops breast milk jaundice every year, and most mothers who have just given birth are faced with the question ofwhat is breast milk jaundice. Forparents looking for information about breast milk jaundice , we have reviewed scientific articles and tried to summarize the topic . Read on forwhy breast milk jaundice happens, how it goes away and more…
What is breast milk jaundice?
It is a very common condition in the newborn period.It is also popularlyknown as “milk jaundice“. In a very simple definition; it is a type of jaundice that occurs due to excess of some substances in breast milk or lack of breast milk. It is analyzed under two headings as early milk jaundice and late milk jaundice .
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Early Breast Milk Jaundice
As the name suggests, it occurs in the early period, that is, in the first week after the baby is born. Jaundice after the baby is born usually occurs as a result of under and malnutrition of the baby. Because the malnourished baby’s bowel movements are slow, bilirubin, which is a natural residue resulting from the destruction of red blood cells in the blood, cannot be cleared from the body and mixes into the blood. The baby then develops jaundice.
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Late Breast Milk Jaundice
It is a type of jaundice that starts in the first week after birth and lasts until the second week.this type, also called“prolonged jaundice“, is different from early jaundice because of its cause. Here, it is not the lack of breast milk but its content that causes jaundice in the baby. Some substances in breast milk increase the activity of an enzyme called β-glucunoridaz, which is found in the intestines and causes the reabsorption of bilirubin. Therefore, bilirubin cannot be excreted and passes into the bloodstream, causing jaundice in the baby.
When Does Breast Milk Jaundice Pass / How Long Does It Last?
Asmentioned above ,breast milk jaundice is very common in babies. The good news is that early or late breast milk jaundice usually resolves within 1-2 weeks. However, sometimes babies who progress and are not recognized or who do not receive the necessary treatment may have a follow-up process lasting up to 12 weeks under hospital conditions. For this reason , it is important to understand whether the baby has jaundice and to show it to healthcare professionals early. So, how to recognize jaundice in babies?
Symptoms of Jaundice in Infants
In order to tell whether a baby has breast milk jaundice, health professionals must perform a test. This test can give answers to questions such as whether the baby has jaundice, at what stage and what causes it. However ,it is important to recognize the signs of jaundice and take the baby to the doctor early.
Check these to know if your baby has jaundice!
- Yellowing of the white part of the eye.
- A pale, yellowish appearance is observed, starting on the baby’s face and spreading to the body.
- The baby sleeps too much
- Not being able to open his eyes, looking very weak…
About Jaundice Treatment in Infants
You noticed that the baby had jaundice by observing the symptoms and went to the doctor immediately. Thejaundice test for babies was done and the result was positive. So, what happens now? In other words, what is the treatment for jaundice in babies?
Jaundice is known to be an easily treatable disease. Sometimes it even goes away on its own without any intervention. However, if you notice some symptoms indicating jaundice in the baby, you should definitely go to the doctor immediately. Because unfortunately, jaundice can cause permanent brain and liver damage if it is too late.
The aim of treating jaundice in infants is to prevent bilirubin levels from rising to levels that could damage the brain or to rapidly reduce high levels.
Why does breast milk jaundice occur? / How can we prevent jaundice in the baby?
Many parents who are expecting a baby and have a newborn baby are afraid of the possibility of their baby getting jaundice. They wonder what should I do to prevent my baby from getting jaundice? Let us reassure you by saying that jaundice is seen in one out of every three newborn babies and that it usually resolves spontaneously or can be treated with short-term follow-up. However, it is important to recognize it early and follow up with a doctor. The cause of jaundice is bilirubin.
There are many studies on the causes of breast milk jaundice. The main idea of these studies is that the excretion of bilirubin is the main cause of jaundice. The term “jaundice” refers to the yellow coloration of the skin and pupils as a result of the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and mucous membranes. The medical term for jaundice is “hyperbilirubinemia”.
The most effective method to prevent jaundice in babies is breastfeeding. In other words, breastfeeding is a dominant factor in the answer to the question of what to do to prevent jaundice. It is very important to breastfeed the baby frequently. It is recommended to breastfeed newborn babies 10-12 times a day. published in 2018, in the scientific article titled Approach – Follow-up and Treatment Guide in Neonatal Jaundice in the Turkish Neonatology Association by Dr. S. Çoban , theprotective effect of breastfeeding from jaundice is explained as follows:
“A strong association between the risk of hyperbilirubinemia and exclusive breastfeeding has been reported. Therefore, adequate and successful breastfeeding should be ensured. Breastfeeding should be initiated as early as possible, within the first hour after birth. Increased frequency of breastfeeding reduces the likelihood of significant hyperbilirubinemia. In the first days, mothers are recommended to breastfeed at least 8-12 times a day.”
In the same article, the importance of not giving water and sugar to newborn babies is also mentioned.
Should I not breastfeed my baby with jaundice?
We have answered this question in the paragraph above, but it is necessary to explain it again and with different points:
Breast milk jaundice occurs when there is insufficient breast milk or as a result of the effects of its ingredients. The only way to prevent jaundice due to breast milk deficiency is to breastfeed the baby as soon and as often as possible. But does it make sense to continue breastfeeding a baby with late breast milk jaundice when the substances in the breast milk cause the baby to become jaundiced?
Here, the mother should continue breastfeeding while the baby is being treated for jaundice. However, sometimes the physician may request a break in breastfeeding for a certain period of time due to the course of treatment. Therefore, the physician should decide whether the mother should continue breastfeeding during this period according to the bilirubin level measured continuously. During this period , milk should be expressed with a breast pump, even ifit will not be given to the baby . Because the only way to stimulate the mammary ducts and hormones to produce milk is to take the milk produced. Continue expressing milk with a manual breast pump or anelectric breast pump during the hours you breastfeed your baby. By expressing milk, you will stimulate the ducts so that your baby can suckle later on, which will be good for you as well.
*Prof. Dr. Asuman ÇOBAN Prof. Dr. Münevver TÜRKMEN Assoc. Dr. Tuğba GÜRSOY, Turkish Neonatology Association, 2014.
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