Antibioitics and Vitamin K

[lian]

I initially chose not to give Vitamin K to my daughter, as I believe there must be some reason for why babies are born with low levels, and she didn't have any of the risk factors, such as traumatic delivery, etc.

Now, I recently had to go on antibiotics (Cephalexin) for an infection. I know that this can pass through the breastmilk and can affect my baby. Apparently the antibiotics decrease intestinal flora essential for Vit K synthesis, and compete for Vit K in the liver. She's 5 weeks old today, so still at risk for late-onset HDN.

I'm now a bit nervous and am thinking of giving her Vit K, either through injection or orally. My midwives say that oral Vit K may not prevent late-onset HDN. So it may have to be an injection, which is *possibly* linked to leukemia (I'm not entirely convinced that it is).

I don't know what to do! My husband will basically support whatever I decide. I was okay with the original risk, as it seems to be God/nature's design. Now that I'm messing with my baby's ability to synthesize Vit K though, I'm so confused about what to do! Any advice/support, anything??

[ZoeyZoo]

If you are really concerned about the flora you can buy a probiotic supplement at a health food store for babies. A baby can suck it off your finger or you can put it in expressed milk.

There is a study linked to winipedia under colic about how it was declared safe.

If you really feel you must there is oral vit K but I don't see justification for the risks of injected vitamin K unless there is something extreme in the situation. I don't think it should be routine. I also think there's a reason it is present in such low amounts at birth and in bm.

I used it on my baby when my milk dried up after 3 weeks (after mastitis) and I had to switch to formula. I was worried about wiping out her flora too since I thought I might have to do abx due to the mastitis.