Newborn jaundice and feeding: when should I get help?
Jaundice needs advice from your baby's care team. If your baby is difficult to wake or not feeding, seek urgent help.
The short answer
If your newborn has jaundice, follow the care plan and contact your midwife or doctor with feeding concerns. NHS guidance says jaundice with a baby who is unusually sleepy, difficult to wake or not feeding needs urgent medical attention.
Follow the plan for your baby
Jaundice is common in newborns, but the cause and level need to be checked by health professionals. Your care team may check your baby and explain whether more tests or treatment are needed. Feeding guidance should come from the doctor who knows your baby's situation.
The NHS says regular feeding can help babies with jaundice and advises parents to ask a midwife or doctor if feeding is difficult or they are unsure whether the baby is feeding enough. Don’t rely on skin color or a log to judge a bilirubin level.
Know when to seek urgent care
The NHS lists urgent signs in a baby with jaundice, including being sleepier than usual or difficult to wake, not feeding, being floppy or stiff, having a high or low temperature, producing no wet nappies, breathing difficulty, or being less than 24 hours old. Follow the local emergency instructions immediately if these apply.
If you’re unsure whether a symptom is urgent, contact your local urgent medical service rather than waiting for a routine appointment. Use the NHS page below for the full current list and the correct route for your location.
A log can support the conversation
If your care team asks you to record feeds or nappies, write down the facts they request and share them with the doctor. BabyDays can keep a care timeline, but it can’t check jaundice or tell you whether your baby needs treatment.
The NHS page linked below lists current warning signs and explains where to seek help.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked 12 October 2026. This page doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor.