Breastfeeding and jaundice: cause for concern?

Jaundice occurs in 50-75% of newborn infants and is noted to occur more frequently and with greater severity in breastfed infants. However, despite years of investigation of this common problem, many aspects of neonatal jaundice in healthy breastfed infants remain unexplained. Knowledge of the types, pattern, and causes of jaundice in healthy breastfed neonates is reviewed, and the potential effect of treatment options is discussed. Practices and interventions used by health care professionals that may decrease the duration of breastfeeding and increase the incidence and severity of jaundice experienced by newborns also are explored.