brand-newVitamin K Decisions

Vitamin K plays an important role in the normal clotting of blood, and deficiency may lead to unexpected bleeding.  Newborn babies generally have very low levels of Vitamin K at the time of their birth and build these reserves as they grow and develop.  In one in 10,000 babies, the lack of Vitamin K can lead to hemorrhaging which could be fatal.

To prevent this rare bleeding condition newborn babies are routinely given as a single injection of Vitamin K within 12 hours of their birth.  Some studies have found a link between Vitamin K injections and childhood cancer, and most parents have no idea that they have other options to get their new baby this vitamin; If in a hospital birth setting, parents need to make their alternative wishes very clear in advance.

Other Options to give you Baby Vitamin K:

  1. Oral - Less invasive, less potential side effects, but oral vitamin K needs several doses and may be less effective.
  2.  Through mom’s milk - The most natural choice, but potentially least effective. HOWEVER, ALL breastfed babies can benefit from getting extra K through mom’s milk (unless mom has a clotting disorder), so lactating mothers stock up on Vitamin K by eating lots of dark leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts.  Blue green algae is a great source of Vitamin K and readily available at most health food stores.

At the rare risk of 1 in 10,000, does your baby really need Vitamin K?

Vitamin K is a personal decision, and most feel like the benefits of some form of supplementation outweigh the risks of hemorrhage.  Others feel if Mother Nature wanted our babies to have higher levels of Vitamin K  they would be born that way.  Without a doubt, Vitamin K is essential if there are pre-existing medical conditions or complications at the time of birth such as:

  • Preemies
  • Forceps deliver
  • Infants with liver problems
  • Infants of moms that took medications for conditions like epilepsy

If you suspect that your child may be vulnerable, please be sure to take this safety precaution and get your baby the vitamin K he may need.