Newborn jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by an excess of bilirubin, a yellow-colored material produced by the liver or red blood cells, in the baby’s blood. Jaundice can be caused by a variety of factors, but it is more common in premature neonates. Jaundice is easily diagnosable, but however, require quick and on the spot treatment. If not treated properly, it leads to many complications. The best way to prevent jaundice is to breastfeed the baby early and often, as soon as possible after birth (ideally within the first hour, a cesarean section is done) and at least 8 to 12 times in each 24-hour period. Parents believing that their baby’s jaundice could be treated by placing them in the sun, delays in readmitting a baby to hospital or admitting them to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), delays in starting treatment and failing to diagnose other related conditions during the pregnancy, such as Rhesus incompatibility (mismatch between the mother’s and baby’s blood group) are all common mistakes about neonatal jaundice. It is therefore recommended that midwives should educate mothers on causes, identification of probable signs and early transfer of the baby to the health facility for expert treatment.

Keywords: Jaundice, Neonatal Jaundice, Myths and Facts, Newborn jaundice,

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