Unsupervised sunlight for newborn jaundice persists globally despite guidelinesGlobal study shows common use of sunlight for newborn jaundice
Frontiers in MedicinePublished August 21, 2026DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care
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Key Takeaway
Recognize that unsupervised sunlight for newborn jaundice is widespread despite guidelines; adverse effects are under-reported.
This scoping review synthesizes 109 studies from 30 countries to map cross-cultural beliefs and practices regarding sunlight exposure for newborn jaundice among mothers, caregivers, healthcare workers, and health systems. The review spans global regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East/North Africa, South Asia, East Asia/Pacific, Europe, North America, and Latin America/Caribbean.
Key findings show that the proportion of respondents endorsing or practicing unsupervised sunlight exposure ranges from 1.1% to 100%, with marked regional gradients. The modal practice is early-morning unfiltered exposure (08:00–10:00 h) for 15–30 minutes daily. Notably, up to 84% of nurse-midwives in some settings recommend sunlight for jaundice, indicating professional endorsement despite clinical guidelines discouraging it.
The review highlights that adverse effects such as sunburn, dehydration, hyperthermia, and delayed facility presentation are under-reported in the literature. This under-reporting limits the ability to fully assess the risks associated with this practice.
The authors emphasize that this is a practice-mapping review, not a clinical trial, and therefore does not provide outcome data on the efficacy or safety of sunlight exposure. The widespread practice underscores the need for improved access to phototherapy and caregiver education, but the evidence does not support changing current clinical recommendations.
How this fits prior evidence
This scoping review extends prior coverage by documenting the real-world prevalence of a practice that guidelines discourage, complementing earlier findings on effective interventions. While prior items highlighted probiotics and multi-directional home phototherapy as beneficial, this review shows that unsupervised sunlight remains common, with up to 84% of nurse-midwives recommending it in some settings. It addresses a gap by quantifying the gap between evidence-based treatments and actual practice, reinforcing the need for better access to phototherapy and education.
When a baby is born with yellow skin, called neonatal jaundice, parents often look for ways to help them feel better. In many parts of the world, one common method is taking the baby out into the sun. A global review of 109 studies across 30 countries shows that this practice remains very common among mothers and caregivers.
While some health workers might not recommend it, up to 84% of nurse-midwives in certain areas still suggest using sunlight. The most common way parents do this is by taking babies out for 15 to 30 minutes during the early morning hours. This practice varies greatly depending on where a family lives.
There are risks involved with this method, such as sunburn or dehydration, but these issues are often not reported in local records. The findings suggest that many families may lack access to proper medical equipment like phototherapy. Because of these gaps, experts say there is a big need for better education for parents and more available medical treatments.
What this means for you:
Sunlight exposure remains a common but risky way to treat newborn jaundice due to limited access to medical care.
Common questions
Is it safe to put a baby in the sun for jaundice?
Sunlight exposure can lead to serious issues like sunburn, dehydration, and overheating. These problems are often under-reported in many regions. Because of these risks, medical guidelines generally discourage unsupervised sunlight as a treatment for newborn jaundice.
How common is the use of sunlight for newborns?
The practice is very widespread. In some areas, between 1.1% and 100% of people reported using it. Additionally, up to 84% of nurse-midwives in certain settings still recommend sunlight exposure for babies with jaundice.
What are the typical ways parents use sunlight?
The most common practice found was exposing infants to unfiltered sunlight in the early morning, specifically between 8:00 and 10:00 AM, for about 15 to 30 minutes every day.
BackgroundNeonatal jaundice affects most newborns worldwide and remains a major cause of preventable bilirubin-induced neurological injury in low-resource settings. Although most clinical guidelines recommend standardised electrically powered phototherapy and discourage sunlight exposure for newborns with jaundice due to safety concerns, uncontrolled exposure to direct sunlight remains widespread in many communities. We aimed to chart cross-cultural beliefs and practices regarding sunlight exposure for newborn jaundice to inform safer newborn care.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review using the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework and PRISMA-ScR guidance. PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Embase, Global Health, APA PsycINFO, Allied & Complementary Medicine, and other sources were searched for studies published between January 2000 and April 2026. Eligible studies included reports on knowledge, attitudes, practices, or recommendations regarding sunlight exposure for neonatal jaundice among mothers, caregivers, healthcare workers, or within health systems. Data were extracted using a standardised charting form and synthesised descriptively by geographical region. The review protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF).ResultsOf 1,043 records, 109 studies from 30 countries met the inclusion criteria: Sub-Saharan Africa (n = 40), Middle East/North Africa (n = 25), South Asia (n = 22), East Asia/Pacific (n = 13), Europe (n = 3), North America (n = 3) and Latin America/Caribbean (n = 3); 88% were quantitative cross-sectional surveys of mothers and caregivers. Most of the included studies (87/109 or 79.8%) were identified outside the major databases. The proportion of respondents endorsing or practising unsupervised sunlight exposure ranged from 1.1 to 100% with marked regional gradients. Health-care workers were a major source of advice, with up to 84% of nurse-midwives recommending sunlight in some settings. Early-morning unfiltered exposure (08:00–10:00 h) for 15–30 min daily was the modal practice. Adverse effects, including sunburn, dehydration, hyperthermia and delayed facility presentation, were under-reported.ConclusionDespite safety concerns and recommendations in several clinical guidelines in high-income countries discouraging direct sunlight exposure for neonatal jaundice, unsupervised sunlight exposure for newborn jaundice remains widespread, professionally endorsed, and inadequately scrutinised for potential harm. Improving access to conventional phototherapy, strengthening caregiver education, and evaluating safe alternatives in resource-constrained settings should be prioritised to ensure optimal newborn care.
