Young parents get shocked when they see their babies with yellowish skin and eyes. Newborn babies have some quirks when they come into this world. You should not need to get worried if your baby has jaundice because it can be treated at home without any medicine.
Jaundice occurs when there is bilirubin in excess. This is known as the yellow-tinged component of red blood cells. When you notice that your newborn baby has a yellowish skin tone and pale eyes, it shows your baby has jaundice. I remember that my nephew also had jaundice when he was a newborn. One of the best pediatric gastroenterologists in Karachi suggested some natural ways to treat his mild symptoms of jaundice.
You can notice the jaundice symptoms within 3-5 days after birth. The most common babies are the ones who are breastfed infants.
What Are The Causes Of Jaundice In Babies?
When the liver of the newborn baby does not function and is immature, it results in jaundice. Some other reasons can cause jaundice, such as liver disease, problems with the digestive system, internal bleeding, infection, the blood of the baby is incompatible with the mother (cause reaction), etc.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the mild or severe jaundice in children,
Mild Jaundice Symptoms Are:
- Pale stools
- Trouble feeding
- Lethargy
- Dark urine
Severe Jaundice Symptoms
- You notice a more yellowish skin tone
- Newborn is listless
- The baby has eating issues
- It lasts for 2 weeks
- The whites of the eyes become yellow
What Should a Mother Eat When a Newborn Baby Has Jaundice?
Feeding has magical powers and also helps to treat many health issues of newborn babies. The mother needs to maintain the vitamin D and magnesium as they can help to reduce the bilirubin in babies.
What Level Of Jaundice Is Normal For A Newborn?
Normal bilirubin may be around 5.2 mg/dL within 24 hours of the birth. You can also notice a rise in the bilirubin rate after 3 to 5 days of birth.
Ways to Deal with Jaundice in Newborn At Home
Sunlight Exposure
If you have your baby in your arms, sit near the window and let the sunlight touch your child. Studies say that sunlight is the best way to treat Jaundice in newborns. You can also take your baby out if the weather is pleasing. You can also open the curtains of your bedroom but make sure that sunlight touches your kid.
Make Sure That Your Baby Gets Food Often
To remove the bilirubin from the body, you need to feed your child more often. The more they eat, the more they can flush out yellow subsiding. Maybe you are already feeding your children but make sure that you only give your kid-appropriate food.
Don’t forget Vitamin D
You need to take vitamin D in your diet as it passes to your child through milk. Not only supplements can deal with vitamin D deficiency but a vitamin d rich diet plan can be enough and help to treat jaundice in your newborn.
Focus on Magnesium Intake
Intake of magnesium during pregnancy reduces the risks of excessive bilirubin in newborns. You need to consult with your doctor about a diet plan that is rich in magnesium. You can also feed your child magnesium-rich food to help them grow fast.
Barely Seed Flour
Studies have shown that barely seed flour has magical powers to reduce the bilirubin indirectly in newborn babies. Sifting the barley seed flour over the skin of the baby along with light exposure can help to reduce jaundice. It works as antioxidants.
Final Thoughts
No matter how many home remedies you try, you still need to discuss your baby’s condition with your pediatric gastroenterologist. Natural ways help in treating jaundice, but if you still see that your baby needs more attention, you should get medical help. Researchers from Munawar Hospital also suggest discussing every condition with a pediatric gastroenterologist before following any home remedy.