# Mother infant zero separation for neonatal jaundice: we are getting closer

## TL;DR

This paper explores how intermittent phototherapy can reduce mother-infant separation in neonatal jaundice treatment, promoting better bonding and breastfeeding.

## Contribution

The paper introduces the concept of cyclic phototherapy as a novel approach to minimize mother-infant separation during jaundice treatment.

## Key findings

- Intermittent phototherapy is effective in both preterm and term neonates.
- Cyclic phototherapy reduces the need for prolonged mother-infant separation.
- This approach supports the development of the mother-infant relationship and breastfeeding.

## Abstract

Although phototherapy represents the standard of care for preventing bilirubin neurotoxicity, it can have both short- and long-term adverse effects. Moreover, phototherapy can interfere with mother-infant relationship and breastfeeding.

As phototherapy quickly converts the bilirubin in the skin compartment and in the cutaneous circulation into harmless photo-isomers, during the following 2–3 h the effect of phototherapy is limited, leading to the plausibility for an effective intermittent phototherapy, which in fact has been recently documented both in preterm and term neonates.

Cyclic phototherapy can help reduce mother-infant separation to a minimum, thus promoting the development of the mother-infant relationship and, ultimately, exclusive breastfeeding.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13052-025-02104-6.