Dad shared a photo of his newborn daughter online—and it helped save her life.

A photograph that looks normal cannot rule it out.

Visual assessment is only one clue.

When jaundice is suspected, bilirubin needs to be assessed properly.

Doctors Have More Reliable Ways to Measure Bilirubin

One method uses a small device placed against the skin.

This estimates bilirubin without drawing blood and is known as a transcutaneous bilirubin measurement.

In other situations, a blood sample is used to measure the total serum bilirubin.

The result can then be compared with treatment thresholds based on gestational age, the infant’s age in hours and other risk factors.

This is far more reliable than deciding from color alone.

AAP guidance also specifically warns that visual estimation can be inaccurate.

That concern is particularly important because jaundice can be harder to recognize visually in babies with darker skin tones.

The Eyes Can Provide a Useful Clue

Yellowing may be noticeable in the whites of the eyes.

It can also be visible on the face or skin.

The NHS notes that jaundice may also be seen inside the mouth, including under the tongue or on the inner cheeks.

On darker skin, looking at these areas may make the yellowing easier to notice.

Bright natural light can help too.

But again, none of these observations provides a bilirubin number.

They tell a parent that it may be worth asking a healthcare professional.

They do not replace the assessment.

Feeding Is Part of the Picture

During the first days of life, adequate feeding is important for many reasons.

It also matters in jaundice.

Bilirubin is ultimately eliminated from the body, including through stool.

When a newborn is not receiving enough milk, dehydration and reduced intake can contribute to higher bilirubin levels.

AAP guidance therefore emphasizes feeding support, especially for breastfed newborns.