Newborn jaundice is a common condition where a baby’s skin and the whites of their eyes appear yellow. This yellowing happens due to an excess of bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. While often harmless and temporary, occurring in about 60% of full-term newborns, it sometimes requires treatment to prevent complications. Sunlight has been considered a traditional approach for very mild cases of jaundice.
How Sunlight Helps with Jaundice
Jaundice develops when a newborn’s immature liver struggles to process bilirubin efficiently, leading to its accumulation in the blood and tissues. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin for excretion through bile and gut. Light therapy, known as phototherapy, helps by converting bilirubin into water-soluble forms that the baby’s body can excrete more easily through urine and stool.
Phototherapy uses blue-green light (460-490 nanometers) to effectively break down bilirubin. Sunlight also contains these beneficial blue-green wavelengths that assist in bilirubin breakdown. However, sunlight is a less controlled and weaker form of this light compared to medical phototherapy units. Therefore, sunlight exposure is considered only for very mild cases of jaundice, often under medical guidance.
Safe Practices for Sunlight Exposure
When considering sunlight for mild jaundice, it is important to follow specific safety guidelines to protect your baby. Exposure should be brief, around 10 to 15 minutes per session, two to three times a day. The ideal times for exposure are early morning, between 7 AM and 9 AM, or late afternoon, when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are weakest.
Position your baby in indirect sunlight, such as near a window indoors, or in a shaded outdoor area. Direct sunlight is not recommended due to sunburn risk from UV rays. Dress your baby in minimal clothing, like just a diaper, to expose as much skin as possible to the light, but ensure sensitive areas like genitals are covered.
Eye protection is important; always shield your baby’s eyes from direct sunlight. Continuously monitor your baby for signs of overheating, such as flushed skin or rapid breathing, or any discomfort. Ensure your baby remains well-hydrated through frequent feedings, whether breastfeeding or formula feeding, as dehydration can increase bilirubin levels.
When to Consult a Doctor
Sunlight exposure is not a substitute for professional medical evaluation and treatment, particularly for moderate to severe jaundice. Consult a healthcare provider if your baby develops jaundice to determine if treatment is necessary. Your baby’s bilirubin levels will need to be checked through blood tests to assess the severity of jaundice.
Seek immediate medical attention if yellowing worsens or spreads to arms and legs. Other concerning signs include your baby becoming unusually sleepy or difficult to wake, experiencing poor feeding, or having fewer wet or dirty diapers than usual. A fever, or jaundice lasting longer than two weeks in a full-term baby, warrants medical consultation. Any parental concerns about their baby’s condition should prompt a call to the doctor.