Watch for jaundice in the first days
What it is
Yellow skin or eyes is common in the first week. It is checked at every early visit and usually passes on its own.
Start preparing
- Look in daylight: press gently on the nose or chest and watch the colour as the skin refills.
- Feed often — 8–12 times a day; feeding clears bilirubin.
- Count wet and dirty diapers; a well-fed baby has 6+ wet diapers a day by day 5.
When to check with a professional
Yellowing that reaches the belly or legs, a baby who is very sleepy or feeding poorly, or jaundice that appears in the first 24 hours or is still there after two weeks — call the nurse line *5400 or your doctor the same day.
Sources
- Tipat Halav visit programme — Israel Ministry of Health
- Bright Futures periodicity schedule — American Academy of Pediatrics
Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed above. Not yet reviewed by a clinician — check anything important against the source, with Tipat Halav or with your doctor.