How To Treat Newborn Jaundice At Home 2

Hope you enjoyed knowing about newborn jaundice in my previous article http://daycare.sulekha.com/care-corner_know-about-jaundice-in-newborns-1_blog_7356. I would like to tell you today about how we can treat newborn jaundice at home.

Jaundice in newborns is caused by the accumulation of bilirubin under the skin. Usually bilirubin is excreted after filtration by the liver is not eliminated due to the underdeveloped liver of the baby and is accumulated under the skin resulting in jaundice. Most babies have jaundice to some degree and disappear once the liver matures.   

Jaundice at home is easily diagnosed by applying a little pressure with the finger on a newborn’s chest; in fair babies you would notice a yellow tinge when you remove your finger. If the baby is darker you would notice a yellow tinge on the baby’s pupils, nails, palms and gums. Usually this has no long term effects and it soon clear.

Treating newborn jaundice at home:

 
1) Expose the newborn skin to sunlight: This method works well when there is slight jaundice; after consulting the doctor you could expose the skin of the baby to sunlight for about 15 minutes 4 times in a day. However ensure the glass window is closed to filter sunlight while exposure; the bilirubin in the skin gets dissolved and is excreted through urine.

2) Increase your frequency of feeding: Hydration helps in flushing out the excess bilirubin from the body; increase the frequency of breast feeding. When the frequency increases so does the production of milk; babies should be fed once in 2 or 3 hours and in the night if awake. You could also introduce formula supplements if breast milk is inadequate. 

3) At-home lamp therapy: This therapy is an alternative to keeping the baby in the hospital and can be tried when the bilirubin level is increasing instead of reducing; the baby is wrapped in a bili-blanket and is kept under a special light. This easy way of home treatment reduces bilirubin in mild form of jaundice. 

4) Giving herbal supplements for mothers: Certain supplements like dandelion tea, catnip, comfrey leaf and acrimony should be taken by the mother; these herbs contain certain substances that help in detoxifying and flushing off the excess bilirubin.  Continuous breastfeeding by the mother is a mild treatment to get rid of jaundice.  

5) It helps for the mother and baby to take wheat grass juice:  Wheat grass juice increases the enzymatic action in the liver and improves the ability of the liver to remove excess bilirubin from the body. About 20 drops a day can be given to the baby in formula or alternatively the mother can drink about 2 ounces of juice every day. This is passed to the baby while breastfeeding. This method also acts like a preventive.  

6) Temporary stopping of breastfeeding: This is a method of treatment when newborn jaundice is diagnosed as being due to breastfeeding; you could continue to breastfeed once the doctor gives you permission. 

Home remedies work in most cases, but consult a doctor if the jaundice worsens like the baby looks and acts sick and the temperature is above 100°F or 37.8°C. Also immediate action is required when the yellowish tinge increases or if the baby is not feeding well or sleeping more.

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