Breast-feeding and jaundice. A review.

Clinically apparent jaundice occurs in up to 60% of newborns in the first week after birth and represents a significant proportion of prolonged infant hospitalization, increased health care costs, and anxiety for new parents. An association between breast-feeding and hyperbilirubinemia has been suggested by various researchers; however, the results of the studies have been inconclusive. The association of breast-feeding and jaundice appears to be the result of incomplete excretion of meconium and a relative low caloric intake by some breast-fed infants. Management strategies that have been proposed include unlimited suckling, temporary discontinuation of breast-feeding, supplementation, and phototherapy.