Fat in breast milk and neonatal jaundice

Infants of mothers with a high breast milk fat content are more likely to suffer neonatal jaundice. It is felt that this fat hinders the ability of the infant’s body to eliminate the cause of jaundice, bilirubin. (Acta Paediatrica Jpn 30:492-496, 1988; Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica 74:805-806, 1985) Editorial note: Mothers should eliminate free fats (margarine, mayonnaise, fried foods, cooking fats, salad oils, animal fats, and excessive amounts of nut butters, milk, eggs, and cheese) before the baby is born in an attempt to improve the baby’s liver function so that bilirubin can be broken down faster. Copyright 1988 Phylis Austin

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