Breast milk/feeding jaundice

[Hemichordate]

Do you get breastmilk/breastfeeding jaundice if the baby is exclusively formula fed from day 1 of life?

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[SurfingDoctor]

Through lies and deception.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

Do you get breastmilk/breastfeeding jaundice if the baby is exclusively formula fed from day 1 of life?

So called breastfeeding jaundice is an early phenomenon associated with inadequate volume of intake. Despite the name, it is not caused by breastfeeding but by dehydration and inadequate excretion of bilirubin. Babies who are formula fed can get jaundice related to low intake especially if genetically predisposed although it is much less common in formula-fed compared to breastfed infants.

Breast milk jaundice is a late condition (usually 7-10 days of life), believed to be related to as yet uncertain factors within the milk itself. It is not associated with dehydration and would not occur in exclusively formula fed babies.

 

[Hemichordate]

So formula fed babies can get breastfeeding jaundice as well?

 

[SurfingDoctor]

So formula fed babies can get breastfeeding jaundice as well?

Yes, by not giving them enough formula. Like he said, breastfeeding jaundice is a matter of dehydration/starvation that has nothing to do with the source of milk.

 

[oldbearprofessor]

So formula fed babies can get breastfeeding jaundice as well?

The problem is that you're getting caught up in a name that is inaccurate. There is no such thing as "breastfeeding jaundice" as breastfeeding does not cause jaundice. What happens in the first 3-5 days of life is that the immature liver cannot handle bilirubin and it needs to be excreted into the gut. Check out UptoDate for a detailed explanation. When the baby is dehydrated, this is worsened and the lack of food in the gut causes a decrease in bilirubin excretion (not as much poop). There are genetic factors at play here as well. Bottom line is more jaundice and the treatment is hydration (if dehydrated) via more food usually. With severe dehydration, IV fluids are sometimes used (probably overused), but usually more food will do or, if bad enough, phototherapy.