Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your baby was seen in the ED for jaundice. This is when a baby's skin or white parts of the eye turn yellow. It happens when a baby has high levels of a substance called "bilirubin" in their blood.
Your baby's jaundice is not serious and will likely go away on its own within a week or 2.
The doctor might have given you a special blue light to use at home for "light therapy" (also called "phototherapy"). Make sure you know how and when to use the light.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Use the special blue light as instructed, if the doctor gave this to you.
●Offer your baby regular feedings of breast milk or formula. Most newborns need to feed 8 to 12 times each day. They should be drinking enough to have at least 6 wet diapers each day.
●If you are breastfeeding your baby, make sure they latch on well to your breast and are getting enough breast milk.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•Your baby passed out, seems very sleepy, or is breathing fast, and has 1 or more of these signs of severe fluid loss:
-Their skin looks purple and splotchy or is cool, or their hands and feet look blue or gray.
-They have not urinated for 24 hours.
-Their eyes or soft spot are sunken.
●Return to the ED if your baby:
•Cannot keep any fluids down, has not had anything to drink in many hours, and has 1 or more of the following:
-They are not as alert as usual, very sleepy, or much less active.
-They are crying all the time.
-They have not had a wet diaper for over 8 hours.
-Their skin is cool.
•Has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your baby is having trouble feeding.
●Your baby has a dry mouth.
●Your baby has few or no tears when they cry.
●Your baby's urine is dark.
●Your baby is less active than normal.
●Your baby arches their neck or body backward.
●Your baby has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Jaundice in babies (The Basics)
Patient education: Bilirubin test (The Basics)
Patient education: Jaundice in newborn infants (Beyond the Basics)
