Breast Milk Jaundice: What You Should Know Before Freaking Out

Breastfeeding isn’t always as straightforward as you might expect. From figuring out a good latch to learning your baby’s feeding cues, there are so many new things happening in those early weeks. Something that often takes new parents by surprise is seeing their little one’s skin or eyes looking yellowish after the first week of life, striking fear about jaundice and what the impact of that might be.

If you’ve noticed this, you might feel worried or wonder if something is wrong. The truth is, many newborns jaundice in those early weeks, and while it can be scary to see, it’s usually not dangerous. One common type is called breast milk jaundice - and that’s exactly what I’m going to walk you through today.

In this post, I’ll cover what breast milk jaundice is, what causes it, what signs to look out for, and what you can do if your baby has it.

This article is written for informational purposes only. Always consult with a trusted medical provider regarding your infant.

What Is Breast Milk Jaundice

Breast milk jaundice is a condition that shows up in some breastfed babies during the first few weeks of life. It’s different from physiologic jaundice (the rise in bilirubin levels that many babies experience in the first few days). Instead, breast milk jaundice usually appears after the first week of life and can sometimes last up to 12 weeks, though it typically resolves sooner for most.

It happens in otherwise healthy babies who are feeding well and gaining weight normally. These babies usually have no other health issues - and it’s caused by an “abnormal accumulation of bilirubin”, which leads to the yellowish color. It should not be confused with breastfeeding jaundice, which is caused by insufficient production of breast milk - or the baby isn’t taking in enough breast milk. This is considered a medical emergency and typically peaks around 5-15 days. When this occurs, treatment is necessary.

How common is it? Studies suggest that breastmilk jaundice can occur in about 20–30% of breastfed babies, though only about 2–4% develop higher bilirubin levels that last longer than a few weeks.

The good news? In almost all cases, breast milk jaundice is harmless and resolves on its own without the need to stopexperts have a few ideas breastfeeding.

What Causes Breast Milk Jaundice

So why does this happen? The exact causes of milk jaundice aren’t completely understood, but experts have a few ideas. Here are some possible explanations:

Immature Liver Function

In the early weeks of life, your baby’s liver is still developing. The liver’s job is to process red blood cells that break down and clear out bilirubin. Sometimes, a baby’s liver just isn’t fully efficient yet, so bilirubin builds up in the body a little longer than expected.

Substances in Breast Milk

Some research suggests that certain natural substances (inflammatory cytokines) in breast milk may interfere with how the liver processes bilirubin. This doesn’t mean your milk is “bad” or unsafe - it just means that for some babies, breast milk slows down bilirubin breakdown, leading to breast milk jaundice.

Genetics and Family Factors

There may also be a genetic component. If older siblings had prolonged jaundice, or if jaundice runs in the family, your baby may be more likely to experience it too.

Breakdown of Red Blood Cells

Babies are born with a higher number of red blood cells compared to adults. These cells naturally break down after birth, which increases bilirubin in the body. If the liver is a little slower to process these, bilirubin levels rise, resulting in jaundice that lasts longer than expected.

What Are the Signs of Breast Milk Jaundice

Here are some signs that your baby might be experiencing breast milk jaundice:

• Yellowing of the skin (usually starting on the face, then spreading to the chest and body)

• Yellowish tint in the whites of the eyes

• Symptoms lasting beyond the first week of life (unlike physiologic jaundice which usually improves by then)

• Baby is otherwise alert, feeding well, and gaining weight normally

• No signs of illness or dehydration (normal milk intake, plenty of wet and dirty diapers)

If you notice these signs, especially if the yellow coloring seems to be getting worse, it’s always best to reach out to your baby’s health care provider for reassurance and guidance. They can test their jaundice levels to ensure they are not increasing. If they are at a normal level and not shown to be increasing with follow-up, it’s generally safe to say it’s breast milk jaundice.

How To Get Rid Of Breast Milk Jaundice

While breast milk jaundice usually resolves on its own, there are a few strategies your baby’s health care provider might recommend. Here are the main ones:

Keep Breastfeeding Frequently

The number one step is almost always to keep breastfeeding. More frequent feeds help increase your baby’s milk intake, which in turn helps their body process and eliminate bilirubin more efficiently. Aim for 8–12 feeds in 24 hours, especially in those early weeks.

It used to be recommended to give a few bottles of formula to “push” the bilirubin out, however, it’s found to be more beneficial to NOT interrupt breastfeeding in cases of breast milk jaundiece.

Monitor Bilirubin Levels

Your provider may want to check your baby’s bilirubin levels with a simple skin or blood test. Tracking these bilirubin levels helps determine whether your baby requires any additional treatment or if watchful waiting is sufficient.

Sunlight or Light Exposure

A little bit of indirect sunlight (such as sitting by a sunny window) can sometimes help lower bilirubin. In more significant cases, your doctor may recommend phototherapy - using special blue lights that break down bilirubin in the skin.

Avoid Interrupting Breastfeeding (Unless Advised)

Sometimes parents are told that interrupting breastfeeding or stopping breastfeeding might “cure” jaundice. In reality, this is almost never needed. Most babies can continue breastfeeding while their jaundice is being managed. Only in very rare cases will a provider suggest a short pause—and usually only for a day or two while levels are monitored.

Work With a Lactation Consultant

If you’re worried that your baby isn’t feeding effectively or getting enough milk, reaching out to an IBCLC can be incredibly helpful. My team would love to help you and are available worldwide for virtual lactation consults. Sometimes what looks like breast milk jaundice is actually a feeding issue related to low milk intake. A lactation consultant can help you troubleshoot latch, supply, or other feeding concerns.

(If you’re just getting started with a breastfeeding newborn, here’s a helpful guide: Breastfeeding Newborn Baby)

Conclusion

Seeing your baby with yellowish skin or eyes can be unsettling, but remember - breast milk jaundice is common, usually harmless, and almost always resolves with time. Most babies continue to breastfeed, gain weight, and thrive while their bilirubin levels slowly come down.

The key is to keep your baby feeding well, stay in touch with your health care provider, and remember that your milk is not the problem—it’s actually part of the solution. With patience and support, your little one will move through this stage and continue to grow strong and healthy.

Breastfeeding is full of new experiences, and this is just one of those things that can pop up along the way. The more you understand what’s happening, the more confident you’ll feel in navigating it. You’ve got this, mama.