Toward understanding the connections between infant jaundice and infant feeding.
Parents face a paradox when they are told: Breast is best; bottle-feeding is hazardous to health. But breast-fed babies are more likely to become severely jaundiced than bottle-fed babies, and severe jaundice can lead to brain damage. This article will explore the natural physiology of jaundice with a focus on breast-feeding-associated jaundice, primary prevention of hyperbilirubinemia, and current evidence-based recommendations about feeding jaundice breast-fed infants.
Alex
Marion
M
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. malex@stfx.ca
Gallant
Donna Pierrynowski
DP
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000378:metabolism; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007647:Kernicterus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control
D001663:Bilirubin