Does sun actually help to reduce jaundice or is this an old wives tale?

Jaundice is caused by having too much of a substance called bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is formed when the body breaks down old red blood cells. The liver usually processes and removes the bilirubin from the blood. Jaundice in babies usually occurs because of a normal increase in red blood cell breakdown and the fact that their immature livers are not efficient at removing bilirubin from the bloodstream. There is some truth to the old wives tale. Sunlight helps to break down indicrect bilirubin so that a baby's liver can process it more easily. Hold the child near a well-lit window for 10 minutes twice a day is often all that is needed to help cure mild jaundice. Or take the baby out for a short shaded walk outside. NEVER EVER place an infant in direct sunlight. In the past there were so many cases of babies being left to sun on window ledges alone for hours and accidents occur. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/script/main/mobileart-emh.asp?articlekey=58635