In most term babies, newborn jaundice peaks by day 3–5 and fades within 10–14 days; if it lingers past 2–3 weeks, see your pediatrician.
Newborn jaundice is common and usually short-lived. The yellow tint comes from bilirubin, a pigment the body clears through the liver and gut. In the first week, that system is still maturing, so levels rise, then settle. Most term babies clear the color within two weeks. Some babies need light therapy to bring levels down faster. A few need extra checks because the tint starts early, lasts longer, or comes with poor feeding or sleepiness.
How Long Does Newborn Jaundice Last: Day-by-day Guide
Timing varies by age at birth, feeding, and any blood group mismatch. Still, most families see a similar arc. Use this overview to match what you see at home with what clinics watch during early visits.
| Baby age | What you may see | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| 0–24 hours | Little to no yellow. Yellow this early needs urgent review. | Early feeding; call your care team if yellow appears. |
| Day 2–3 | Color rises, first on face, then chest. | Feed at least 8–12 times a day; keep follow-up plans. |
| Day 3–5 | Peak color; some babies look quite yellow but act well. | Weight, diapers, and a bilirubin check guide next steps. |
| Day 6–7 | Color eases in most term babies. | Keep feeds steady; watch energy and latch. |
| Week 2 | Fading tint; many babies look normal now. | Routine newborn visit confirms the drop. |
| Weeks 3–4 | Mild tint can persist, often with breast milk jaundice. | Ongoing feeds; your clinician may repeat a level if color stays. |
You can read parent-friendly guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on why light therapy helps and when it’s used. The NHS overview also notes that most cases settle within 10–14 days.
What Makes Jaundice Last Longer
Some newborns carry extra risk that can stretch the timeline or push levels higher. Knowing these patterns helps you plan follow-up and not miss warning signs.
- Prematurity: A less mature liver clears bilirubin more slowly, so color may last beyond two weeks.
- Bruising or cephalohematoma: More red blood cells break down, feeding more bilirubin into the system.
- Blood group mismatch: ABO or Rh issues trigger faster red cell breakdown and call for closer testing.
- Feeding hurdles: Low intake slows bilirubin removal through stools. Lactation support and, at times, brief supplementation can help.
- Breast milk jaundice: A healthy, gaining baby can have a mild tint that stretches for several weeks. Levels stay safe but may need periodic checks.
- Enzyme or inherited conditions: G6PD deficiency and a few rare liver or thyroid problems change the picture and need medical review.
When The Color Lasts Beyond Two To Three Weeks
Jaundice that lingers past two weeks in a formula-fed baby, or past three weeks in a breastfed baby, earns another look. Your clinician may order a blood test to sort out bilirubin types. A pale stool color, dark urine, poor weight gain, or a very sleepy baby raises the stakes and speeds up testing. Early checks catch treatable issues such as bile flow blockage or red cell problems.
How Phototherapy Changes The Timeline
Light therapy breaks bilirubin into forms the body can excrete. Many babies respond within 24–48 hours; some need longer runs based on age, cause, and level. Once lights turn off, a small rebound can happen, so some babies return for a repeat test. Feeding well during therapy shortens stays by keeping stools moving. A home phototherapy setup is sometimes offered when levels are only modestly high and the baby is otherwise well.
Feeding, Hydration, And Sleep: Practical Steps That Help
Bilirubin leaves the body through stools, so steady intake matters. Aim for 8–12 feeds in 24 hours. Wake for feeds in the first days if your baby sleeps past three hours. Track wets and stools; rising counts usually track with falling color. If supply is still coming in, hand-express after feeds and offer the drops. Talk with your care team about any latch pain or low transfer; early tweaks pay off fast.
Smart Ways To Support Feeding
- Skin-to-skin time boosts cues and helps babies latch well.
- Offer both sides. Switch sides when sucks slow.
- If weight loss is steep or diapers are few, ask about a brief plan for extra expressed milk, donor milk, or formula while you build supply.
How Doctors Check Jaundice And Set Follow-ups
Teams use either a painless skin sensor or a small blood sample to measure bilirubin. The number is mapped to the baby’s age in hours and any added risks. That map guides the next step: more feeds and observation, a repeat test, home lights, or a short hospital stay. The same number can mean different plans at different ages, which is why timing since birth sits beside the result on every chart.
Visual checks help at home, but they can miss deeper shifts. A baby may look fair in dim light and quite yellow by a window. If color reaches the legs by midweek, or keeps deepening after day 5, ask for a level. A quick test gives clarity and avoids guesswork. Clinics often schedule a recheck the day after discharge so rising levels are caught early.
Preterm And Small Babies: What Changes
Babies born early or small for dates tend to peak later and clear more slowly. Their livers need extra time to process bilirubin, and they may tire during feeds. That mix can stretch the course beyond two weeks. Extra milk, pumping to boost supply, and skin-to-skin time help bring intake up while the liver matures. Care teams also set lower thresholds for treatment in younger babies to keep levels safe during that stretch.
Twins and late preterm babies often go home looking only lightly yellow, then peak a day or two later. A plan for an early office or home nurse visit keeps them on track. If phototherapy is needed, parents can still hold and feed during breaks; steady milk flow matters as much as the lights.
Sunlight, Supplements, And Other Myths
Brief time near a bright window will not replace medical lights. Sun can overheat or chill a newborn, and glass blocks much of the helpful light band. Vitamin waters, herbal drops, and sugar water do not clear bilirubin. What works is milk moving through the gut and, when needed, medical lights that bathe as much skin as possible. If a friend suggests a home trick, run it by your clinician first.
Types Of Newborn Jaundice And Usual Duration
Not all jaundice follows the same course. This table outlines common types and what families usually see.
| Type | Usual duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Physiologic | Peaks day 3–5; clears within 1–2 weeks | Most term babies; faster fall with frequent feeds. |
| Breastfeeding jaundice | First week peak; clears as intake rises | Linked to low intake; feed support is the fix. |
| Breast milk jaundice | Mild tint can last 3–12 weeks | Baby grows well; bilirubin stays in a safe range with checks. |
| Hemolytic causes | Early rise; variable course | ABO/Rh mismatch or G6PD deficiency; closer testing and therapy. |
| Cholestasis | Prolonged | Pale stools and dark urine need same-day review. |
Home Checks That Track Progress
Good light helps you judge color. In daylight, press a finger on the forehead, chest, and legs; released skin shows the base tint. If the yellow shade reaches the legs or soles by day 3–5, or deepens after day 5, call your clinic for a level. Phone cameras and apps can mislead, so lab or device testing wins when the color is unclear.
When To Seek Care Now
Call your clinician or go in today if you notice any of the following:
- Yellow skin or eyes in the first 24 hours
- Yellow tone that keeps deepening after day 5
- Poor feeding, few wets or stools, or weight loss beyond plan
- Hard to wake, high-pitched cry, fever, or arching
- Pale stools or tea-colored urine at any time
What To Expect At The Clinic
Teams use a skin sensor or a blood test to measure bilirubin. The result is matched to the baby’s age in hours and risk factors. That match guides follow-up, a light plan, and, rarely, other therapy. If light therapy starts, eye shields protect the eyes and the baby stays warm and undressed under the unit. Feeds keep going. Many babies nap under the lights and go home once the level drops into a safe zone.
Practical Tips That Make The Days Easier
Plan a quick morning visit for any repeat test so you have same-day results. Pack extra milk or formula; babies often feed more under the lights. Keep the diaper bag ready for short trips in and out of the clinic. If you have home lights, set a simple routine: lights on, feeds, brief cuddle breaks, then back under the panel. Short, frequent contact keeps bonding strong while treatment stays on track.
Key Points To Remember
Most term babies lose the yellow tint within two weeks. A few need light therapy, which works fast. Jaundice that starts in the first 24 hours, rises sharply, or lasts beyond the second to third week needs prompt review. Strong feeding habits speed the fall in color. When in doubt, get a bilirubin check—quick numbers guide clear next steps and peace of mind.