Breastfeeding as a natural cure for jaundice?

APRIL 25, 2019
Healthcaretoday, jaundice, bilirubin, breastfeeding babies, breast milk jaundice, hyperbilirubinaemia, Dr Nomee Ashikin, KPJ Ampang Puteri Hospital, yellow fever disease,
Breastfeeding babies usually lose jaundice in the third or fourth week.
Interesting facts about jaundice
• Normal levels of bilirubin are 12.5mg / dl (milligram per litre of blood), while infants born largely inferior to normal bilirubin levels are 10mg / dl.

• Babies with elevated bilirubin levels, their jaundice will be apparent resulting in infertility, too long sleep and crying in high tones.

• Studies have suggested that cow's milk can treat jaundice compared to goat's milk.
 
• Avoid taking herbs for the first six weeks after giving birth to a baby.

• Statistics show that as many as 80 per cent of premature babies experience this yellow fever disease.

• "Breast milk jaundice" may occur due to extraordinary breastmilk content where it may contain a component of beta glucuronidase that can inhibit bilirubin processing.
Healthcaretoday, jaundice, bilirubin, breastfeeding babies, breast milk jaundice, hyperbilirubinaemia, Dr Nomee Ashikin, KPJ Ampang Puteri Hospital, yellow fever disease,

​Studies show that 60 - 70% of newborns are at risk of jaundice. Yellow or jaundice is a condition where the baby's skin and the whites of the eye turn yellow. This condition is known as hyperbilirubinaemia.

What is hyperbilirubinaemia?
According to Dr Nomee Ashikin, Pediatrician, KPJ Ampang Puteri Hospital  hyperbilirubinaemia is due to the excess of quantitative bilirubin in the baby's body. Bilirubin is produced when the old red blood cells have been destroyed by the body. This is excreted through the urine and stool.

"When in the mother's abdomen, bilirubin is disposed through the placenta. When a baby is born, the whole internal organ of the baby is still immature. As a result, bilirubin disposal process becomes less smooth. After 24 hours, the yellow will start to appear and will peak within three to five days, before it slowly disappears. This is called physiological jaundice.”

According to her, for infants who are breastfeeding, the bilirubin excretion process is quite slow compared to infant formula feeding.

“This is because breast milk slows the process of excretion but it is not dangerous and should not be the cause to stop from breastfeeding. Babies need to be suckled frequently to assist bilirubin excretion," she said.

Breastfeeding babies usually only lose jaundice in the third or fourth week. This is known as breast milk jaundice.

What causes it?
Sometimes, jaundice can be caused by other problems such as infections, problems with the baby's digestive system, thyroid problems or the disorder of the mother and baby (ABO Incompatibility).

"In most cases, jaundice is not harmful but some are up to high levels that can cause a condition known as Kernicterus which can cause brain injury and death,” she added.

Nomee pointed out that effective treatment include phototherapy that can be done in hospitals or at home.

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