「Sunbathing cures newborn jaundice」

Where the claim comes from

Hospitals really do treat jaundice with light, which sounds like the same thing as sunshine. And jaundice is so common, and so often fades on its own within days, that "a bit of sun sorts it out" became received wisdom.

What the evidence says

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) explains that most babies develop jaundice in the first few days after birth, because the liver takes a few days to get better at removing bilirubin, and that most jaundice requires no treatment. When treatment is needed it is phototherapy: the baby is undressed and placed under special lights, usually in hospital. On sunlight the AAP is blunt — putting your baby into sunlight is not a safe way to treat jaundice. Very high bilirubin levels are a medical emergency that may require intensive care.

What to do instead

• Before going home, make sure your baby's bilirubin has been measured — the AAP says every baby should have at least one skin or blood test before discharge.
• Babies discharged before 48 hours should usually be seen by a healthcare provider within 2 days.
• Breastfeed 8 to 12 times a day for the first few days.
• Check skin colour in white light such as daylight or fluorescent light. Jaundice usually shows in the face first, then moves to the chest, abdomen, arms and legs. It can be harder to see on darker skin.