Newborn and Vitamin K

[amrijane128]

Hope this is in the right place.

My son was born on Sunday, April 4th after a very quick birth at home. He has a lot of bruising on his face as a result and I'm torn on the vitamin K decision.

Initially we were going to do a couple doses of oral vit. K and leave it be, but are now starting to consider the injection. All of the info I've come across so far is kind of muddy, I just can't come to a conclusion.

Right now we're doing one drop a day (orally) for 6 weeks, but are still considering the injection.

I would love to get some input, advice, links, etc. on this. Thank you!

[sosurreal09]

why does he need it? b/c of bruising? my DD was all bruised up on her head when she came out and we didnt give her anything...


i vote no

[Mirzam]

Was the baby's cord clamped immediately? How long did you wait until the cord was cut? If it wasn't clamped and was left until it stopped pulsing (the longer the better) they I wouldn't worry about a vitamin K shot.

[SquishyKitty]

Simply from the standpoint of knowing how hectic a newborn's schedule is, and how easy it is to miss/forget doses when sleeping patterns are messed up and you're just happy to shower, I would probably opt for the shot. If you can nurse through it, it's usually quick and the baby won't notice much at all.

[Marnica]

I gave DS the shot b/c of C-section. I deeply regret this choice now.

Most other developed countries (not the UK) use oral K....have you ever wondered why that is?? We are TTC #2. If lucky enough to have another, they will get the oral. No shot under any circumstances. The amount of K given in a shot to a newborn is NOT NORMAL!!! and has not been proven safe IMO. There are studies from the 1990's that link this shot to an increase in leukemia in children. I also believe this shot was the cause my DS's jaundice.
Also look into what other ingredients are in the shot. I vote NO...I think the oral is enough protection.

[mom61508]

Originally Posted by Marnica

I gave DS the shot b/c of C-section. I deeply regret this choice now.

Most other developed countries (not the UK) use oral K....have you ever wondered why that is?? We are TTC #2. If lucky enough to have another, they will get the oral. No shot under any circumstances. The amount of K given in a shot to a newborn is NOT NORMAL!!! and has not been proven safe IMO. There are studies from the 1990's that link this shot to an increase in leukemia in children. I also believe this shot was the cause my DS's jaundice.
Also look into what other ingredients are in the shot. I vote NO...I think the oral is enough protection.

Agreed! DD was given the K shot and I wished we would have looked into it a little bit more. I was to busy researching hep B. Where do you fine the oral in the U.S? I thought it was nearly impossible to get here???

[Marnica]

Originally Posted by mom61508

Agreed! DD was given the K shot and I wished we would have looked into it a little bit more. I was to busy researching hep B. Where do you fine the oral in the U.S? I thought it was nearly impossible to get here???

I got mine here

http://www.birthwithlove.com/categor...+%29Oral+Vit+K

[mamafish9]

I prefer the K2 form, which you can get from Thorne (iherb carries it). That's the form in butter.

[LBMarie9]

I have to learn about this since I am pregnant. we opt out of hep B but always still got the vit K---how long would it take to let the cord stop pulsing? too long that a hospital birth wouldn't let it sit there? (and a DR?!)

I feel I gotta pick my battles (w/dr and husband) what are the risks with the vit k shot--low compared to other stuff they do right?

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by Mirzam

Was the baby's cord clamped immediately? How long did you wait until the cord was cut? If it wasn't clamped and was left until it stopped pulsing (the longer the better) they I wouldn't worry about a vitamin K shot.

can you please give any sources for this? I saved a lot of links about delayed clamping (we did this with our son 2 yrs ago) and know about the iron benefits. but never read it had anything to do with vit K and would love to learn more! thank you