Combinations of fluorescent lamps for phototherapy were evaluated in order to select one that maximizes blue light content (400 to 500 nanometers) for most effective photodegradation of bilirubin, maintains acceptable color balance for observing infant skin color, and requires minimal lamp replacement for low maintenance cost. The combination that best achieves these objectives consists of four special blue (Westinghouse F20T12-BB) and four broad spectrum (Verd-A-Ray F20T12-CC) lamps that produce blue radiation in excess of an array of eight conventional blue lamps, a spectrum closely approximating that of natural light, and at least 80% of the original blue radiation after 2,100 hours of use.