Neonatal jaundice: why newborns turn yellow and when to worry
In this article
Neonatal jaundice is the yellow colour in a newborn's skin and the whites of the eyes, caused by a build-up of bilirubin in the blood. SingHealth says it is common because a baby's liver needs a few days to clear bilirubin well. Most cases are mild and harmless. Very high levels can harm the brain if left untreated, which is why hospitals here check every newborn for it.
| Cause | Bilirubin builds up while the liver matures |
|---|---|
| Appears | Day 2 to 4, NUHS says |
| Peaks | Around day 4 to 6, NUHS says |
| Usually gone | By 2 weeks; often longer in breastfed babies |
| Treatment if high | Phototherapy under blue light |
| Never normal | Jaundice in the first 24 hours |
How to spot jaundice and see it spread
Look at your baby in good natural light, such as daylight near a window. SingHealth says the yellow usually shows first in the face, then moves down to the chest, tummy, arms and legs as the bilirubin level rises. The whites of the eyes may turn yellow too. NUH suggests comparing the colour of your baby's hand with the rest of the body.
It can be hard to judge by eye, especially on darker skin, which SingHealth says makes jaundice harder to see. That is why the hospital measures it instead of guessing.
Normal timing, and jaundice that lasts longer
NUHS says the common, harmless kind, called physiological jaundice, affects more than half of all babies. It appears at 2 to 4 days of age, peaks at about 4 to 6 days, and is gone by 2 weeks.
Breastfed babies often take longer. NUHS describes breast milk jaundice as starting later, at 4 to 7 days, and it can stay for 3 to 10 weeks. SingHealth says jaundice in breastfed babies often lasts more than 2 to 3 weeks without harm, while in formula-fed babies most is gone by 2 weeks. Keep breastfeeding: frequent feeds help your baby pass bilirubin out in the stools, NUHS says.
Some home remedies do not work. NUHS says water or glucose feeds will not lower jaundice, and SingHealth says putting your baby in direct sunlight does not lower it well. It can also give your baby sunburn or dehydration, or make them overheat.
The jaundice check and phototherapy in Singapore
HealthHub says babies are checked and treated for jaundice routinely during the hospital stay. NUHS describes the usual check: a device pressed on the skin, then a heel-prick blood test to confirm the level. SingHealth says a blood level is always needed if jaundice shows up before 24 hours of age.
The check carries on after you go home. SingHealth says your baby should be seen by a nurse or doctor at 3 to 5 days old, when bilirubin usually peaks, and NUH asks for an early jaundice check within the first 5 days. KKH says you can do these at the polyclinic nearest your home.
If the level is high, the treatment is phototherapy. NUHS says your baby lies undressed under blue lights for about 24 hours, coming out for feeds and nappy changes, and you can usually keep breastfeeding. If you are apart, it suggests expressing 6 to 8 times a day to protect your supply. NUHS says babies with G6PD deficiency can get jaundice early, and KKH tests every baby's cord blood for G6PD after delivery. Our newborn jaundice guide covers G6PD and follow-up in more detail.
Signs that need a doctor today
Take your baby to a doctor promptly if you see any of these:
- Yellow skin in the first 24 hours. The NHS treats this as an emergency, and NUHS asks parents to see a doctor for jaundice in the first 48 hours.
- Yellow spreading fast to the lower tummy, thighs or legs. NUHS and NUH both flag this.
- Jaundice still there after day 14.
- Pale, chalky-white or clay-coloured stools, or dark tea-coloured urine, which SingHealth lists.
- A baby who is very sleepy, irritable or not interested in feeding, which NUHS links to very high bilirubin.
Counting wet and dirty nappies helps the doctor judge feeding. Our feed and nappy log keeps the tally for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the normal jaundice level for a newborn?
There is no single safe number. NUHS says the doctor decides what to do based on your baby's age and bilirubin level, and SingHealth says other risk factors count too. Ask the doctor to explain your baby's result.
Can sunlight treat newborn jaundice?
No. SingHealth says direct sunlight does not lower jaundice effectively and can harm your baby through sunburn or dehydration. NUHS agrees. Phototherapy in hospital uses special blue lights.
Should I stop breastfeeding if my baby has jaundice?
Usually not. NUHS says you can generally keep breastfeeding, including during phototherapy, and that frequent feeds help clear bilirubin. Ask your doctor if your baby is too sleepy to feed well.
How long does jaundice last in newborns?
Most normal jaundice is gone by 2 weeks, NUHS says. In breastfed babies it often lasts longer, up to 3 to 10 weeks in breast milk jaundice. See a doctor if it is still there after day 14.
Related terms
- Meconium: Your newborn's first poo: thick, sticky and black or dark green, passed in the first two to three days.
- Neonate (Newborn): The medical word for a newborn baby in the first 28 days of life.
- Colostrum: The thick yellow first milk your body makes in the first few days after birth.
- Cluster Feeding: When your baby feeds again and again over a few hours, usually in the evening. Normal, and it builds supply.
- Polyclinic: A public primary care clinic with subsidised fees, where Singapore families can take children for jabs and checks.
- Preterm (Premature) Birth: A baby born alive before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. In Singapore, about 8.5% of babies arrive this early.
- SingHealth (SGH Neonatal and Developmental Medicine) - Neonatal Jaundice (read 9 November 2026)
- NUHS - Jaundice (Newborn) (read 9 November 2026)
- NUH - First Month Concerns (read 9 November 2026)
- HealthHub - Guide to Common Infant Conditions (read 9 November 2026)
- KKH (via SingHealth) - Caring for Your Newborn Baby (read 9 November 2026)
- NHS - Jaundice in babies (read 9 November 2026)
- KKH - After Delivery (read 9 November 2026)
