It is taken out of the bloodstream by the liver. Causes Over half of all newborns have a liver that is not yet working normally, allowing bilirubin to build up in the baby's skin and blood. It is not a serious problem. It usually disappears after 1 to 2 weeks, when the liver is older and working better. With eyes covered, the baby is placed under lights.
Time spent under the lights depends on the baby's blood bilirubin level, which is checked daily.
The risks of serious problems with newborn jaundice are small if you follow your doctor's advice. The amount of yellowishness is best determined by viewing the baby undressed in natural sunlight by a window. You may give your baby a sun bath for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day inside a sunny window. Your baby develops jaundice during the first 48 hours of life, the jaundice involves the arms or legs, the color gets deeper after 1 week, or the jaundice is not gone by day 14. Your baby starts to act sick or is difficult to awaken.