Why do newborns lose so many red blood cells after birth?

a condition called jaundice is a result of a build-up of bilirubin and is usually a sign of liver malfunction. Newborn human infants often go through a period of fetal jaundice in which they turn yellow. This usually reflects not a lever malfunction, but rather the destruction of huge numbers of red blood cells... and in serious cases, neonites(newborns) are often put under special lights that promote the breakdown of bilirubin. However, recent evidence demonstrates that bilirubin is a potent anti-oxident. (please also answer this question!) *Why would a neonate need so many anti-oxident?*
Answer:
neonates dont need anti-oxidents.in the womb, neonates produce a "Fetal" form of hemoglobin. it is a different type of hemoglobin than the "Adult" form. after being born, the newborn must get its oxygen from the air rather than from mom.thus it switches from Fetal hemoglobin to Adult Hemoglobin. All the fetal hemoglobin deteriorates and must be excreted. normally the baby's liver can handle this excretion. however if the newborn is premature, the liver is not mature enough to handle it all and we must put them under flourescent lights to help.

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