Final answer:
Meconium needs to be cleared from the intestines and breast milk helps expel it. High levels of bilirubin in the blood can cause jaundice and require medical attention
Step-by-step explanation:
During the first days of a newborn's life, meconium needs to be cleared from the intestines and bilirubin should be kept low in the circulation. Breast milk helps expel meconium from the intestines and clears bilirubin through the excretion of bile. High levels of bilirubin in the blood can cause jaundice, which is a common condition requiring medical attention in newborns. Phototherapy is used to treat hyperbilirubinemia by breaking down the bilirubin quickly using UV light.