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Natural Treatment of Jaundice in Newborns

by Lauren Feder, M.D.

When I was expecting my baby, I was led to believe that childbirth was one of the ultimate and greatest hurdles, and after my 'bundle of joy' arrives everyone lives happily ever after. However, as a physician, I know that once baby is born, parents are faced with a new set of challenges that await them. There are conditions, procedures and decisions that mom and baby may encounter whether delivering in the hospital, birth center or at home. One of these, is jaundice in newborns. Jaundice is the most common reason for admitting a newborn to the hospital in the first two weeks of life. From my experience as a mother and physician, I found homeopathy and natural parenting suggestions to be helpful in minimizing or preventing conditions, such as jaundice.

What is Jaundice?
Jaundice is a common condition in newborns. It is caused by an accumulation of bilirubin in the body. Normally, bilirubin is produced from the breakdown of red blood cells and then excreted by the liver. Infants are born with an abundance of red blood cells. A newborn's liver is still immature which can cause the yellow pigment in bilirubin to amass and deposit in baby's skin and eyes. As a result baby's skin and eyes can appear yellow. It is not unusual for newborns to be slightly yellow, this is considered normal physiologic jaundice. Baby's bilirubin level can be evaluated from a heel prick blood test. Sometimes medical staff quickly become alarmed if baby's bilirubin is too high. Baby becomes sleepy, lacks interest in nursing and can become dehydrated. Excessively high levels of bilirubin can lead to deafness, cerebral palsy or brain damage. These abnormally high bilirubin levels can be caused if baby is born prematurely, stressed after a difficult birth, mother is diabetic or blood type incompatibility between mother and baby.

In the vast majority of healthy full term babies, mild jaundice is normal and harmless. Breastfeeding babies have a tendency to get more jaundiced than formula fed babies. Usually bilirubin level goes up for the first 3-5 days and slowly decreases. Within one to two weeks of life, it resolves.

How do I know if my baby is abnormally jaundiced?
Note any changes in your baby's coloring. It is best to observe in natural daylight. Gently press your finger on your baby's tip of nose or forehead. If the skin looks pale when pressing, there is no jaundice (this can be done on babies of all skin colors). A yellow hue indicates there is jaundice. If so, don't panic! Call your doctor to discuss course of action, if any.

What if my doctor says breastfeeding is causing baby's jaundice?
There are still many pediatricians who lack strong foundations in breastfeeding and more familiar with formula fed newborns who have slightly lower bilirubin levels. It is not uncommon for doctors to recommend a mother temporarily discontinue breastfeeding and give babies bottles of sugar water in hopes of reducing bilirubin levels. This has been shown to be ineffective and may even increase baby's jaundice. Nursing promotes bilirubin to be excreted in stools. Breast milk jaundice is a rare condition that occurs in 1% of newborn jaundice cases.

There is a research that has concluded that a slight elevation in bilirubin may actually be helpful in preventing bacterial infections in newborns. Bilirubin also has the ability to function as an antioxidant in the brain. According to Dr. Sylvain Dore of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, "When women breastfeed, the babies have higher levels of bilirubin and are healthier. Babies with higher bilirubin levels are more disease-resistant. Bilirubin also protects against retinopathy in premature babies."

If my baby's bilirubin level is too high, what is the treatment?
If levels are slightly elevated, your baby usually doesn't require any treatment. Your doctor may suggest you increase the frequency of breastfeeding, which will aid in eliminating the bilirubin. If levels are higher or increasing rapidly, the doctor may recommend light therapy (also referred to as bili lights, or phototherapy). Phototherapy helps break down bilirubin in baby's skin. Usually done in the hospital for 1-2 days, baby is placed naked under specific lights. The eyes are covered for protection. Adverse effects of phototherapy include loose stools, temperature problems, or dehydration. An elevated level of bilirubin is the most common reason for admitting a newborn to the hospital in the first two weeks of life.

Baby Madeline
I was called to see 2 day old Madeline, whose bilirubin count was beginning to increase. Madeline had a golf ball size hematoma on her forehead following a difficult twin delivery with vacuum extraction. The twins were irritable and mother was having difficulty nursing. Madeline was given Arnica montana 200C for several doses, sunbathed at home, and was encouraged to breastfeed. Within several days, the bruise began to resolve, babies were nursing and bilirubin count came down.

For babies born following a difficult birth, Arnica montana is the first choice. Arnica will speed up recovery for bruises and swelling caused by trauma. If baby is bruised or swollen, use this remedy as a preventive in jaundice.

Breastfeeding Your Baby
Nowadays, many mothers are choosing to breastfeed. Of course, breast milk is best for baby and mother! There are still many pediatricians who trained in an era when mothers gave their babies formula, and are not well educated in breastfeeding. Babies who are formula fed have slightly lower bilirubin levels than breastfed ones. It is not uncommon for doctors to recommend a mother temporarily discontinue breastfeeding and give babies bottles of sugar water in hopes of reducing bilirubin levels. This has been shown to be ineffective and may even increase baby's jaundice. Nursing promotes bilirubin to be excreted in stools. There is a syndrome known as Breast milk jaundice. However, it is a rare condition that occurs in 1% of newborn jaundice cases.

There is a research that has concluded that a slight elevation in bilirubin may actually be helpful in preventing bacterial infections in newborns. Bilirubin also has the ability to function as an antioxidant in the brain. According to Dr. Sylvain Dore of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, "When women breastfeed, the babies have higher levels of bilirubin and are healthier. Babies with higher bilirubin levels are more disease-resistant. Bilirubin also protects against retinopathy in premature babies."

Colic and Jaundice
A 38 year old mother consulted with me because the pediatrician was concerned her 5 day old son was turning yellow. In addition to jaundice, baby was irritable and colicky. He had to be carried all the time, and in the early evening he was inconsolable. He was constipated, abdomen was noisy and sensitive to pressure. Mother had tried homeopathic Chamomilla for the colic, with no improvement of symptoms. Lycopodium clavatum 30C was given in three doses, and baby's jaundice began to clear up. His colic symptoms decreased in intensity. Lycopodium was given as it is a strong liver and gastrointestinal remedy. Colic is a common condition in newborns. A well chosen homeopathic remedy can be can be a blessing to parents, without any side effects!

There are measures that parents can take to minimize or avoid problems of jaundice in their babies. If levels are slightly elevated, babies usually doesn't require any treatment. The pediatrician may suggest an increase in the frequency of breastfeeding, which will aid in eliminating the bilirubin. If levels are higher or increasing rapidly, the doctor may recommend light therapy (also referred to as bili lights, or phototherapy). Phototherapy helps break down bilirubin in baby's skin. Usually done in the hospital for 1-2 days, baby is placed naked under specific lights. The eyes are covered for protection. Adverse effects of phototherapy include loose stools, temperature problems, or dehydration.

Check your baby for any changes in baby's coloring. It is best to observe in natural daylight. Gently press your finger on your baby's tip of nose or forehead. If the skin looks pale when pressing, there is no jaundice (this can be done on babies of all skin colors). A yellow hue indicates there is jaundice. If so, don't panic! Call your doctor to discuss course of action, if any.

Frequent nursing is helpful in flushing out the bilirubin. In addition, consider a home remedy sunbath. Sunbathe your baby. When I was nearing the end of pregnancy, I had heard from other mothers and midwives about a special home remedy that could possibly prevent abnormal jaundice. Although it isn't scientifically proven, it seemed simple enough to do. Both of my sons were slightly yellow during the first week, as a precaution, I let them 'bask' in the natural daylight. If the weather is cloudy or cold, a blue incandescent light or "grow light" may be used.

Place baby in diaper only on a blanket next to a closed window in direct light.
"Sunbathe" for approximately 15 minutes 3 times a day.
Avoid allowing baby to become chilled (i.e. drafts), overheated or sunburnt.
Cover baby's eyes

Homeopathic Remedies
There are many homeopathic remedies that can be helpful if bilirubin levels begin to increase. The following is a partial list of suggestions which can also be used in conjunction with phototherapy and other conventional treatments.

Naturally, homeopathy and natural medicine offers relief and cure to countless other 'challenges' that await new parents. It is my hope that the use of remedies will continue to grow in popularity as parents become educated and familiar with all that homeopathy has to offer.

In the DrFeder.com Natural Pharmacy we are pleased to feature a wide selection of homeopathic remedies. Most of them are in a 30C strength which is suitable for both children and adults. To order a remedy in a different strength or inquire about a remedy that isn't listed, please contact us. We'll find it for you!

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