Can babies get vitamin K through breast milk?

Understanding Vitamin K and Breastfeeding
Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting and bone health, yet many new parents may not realize that breast milk contains only minimal amounts of this essential nutrient. This raises important questions about how infants receive adequate vitamin K, especially in the early weeks of life.
The Vitamin K Deficiency in Newborns
Newborns are born with very low levels of vitamin K, primarily because this vitamin does not cross the placenta effectively during pregnancy. As a result, infants are at risk for Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB), a serious condition that can lead to uncontrolled bleeding. The gut of a newborn is also sterile at birth, meaning that they lack the bacteria necessary to produce vitamin K until they begin to establish their gut flora, which typically occurs over the first few weeks of life.
Breast Milk and Vitamin K Levels
Breast milk is often hailed as the best nutrition for infants, but it is notably low in vitamin K. Studies indicate that the concentration of vitamin K in breast milk ranges from about 1 to 9 micrograms per liter, which is insufficient to meet an infant’s needs. Even with a well-nourished mother, the transfer of vitamin K during pregnancy is minimal, leaving infants vulnerable after birth.
The Importance of Vitamin K Supplementation
Given the low levels of vitamin K in breast milk, health experts recommend that all newborns receive a one-time intramuscular injection of vitamin K shortly after birth. This preventive measure is crucial in protecting infants from VKDB, as the vitamin K shot provides an immediate and adequate supply of this nutrient, which breast milk alone cannot offer.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition for infants, it does not provide sufficient vitamin K to prevent deficiency. Parents should be aware of the importance of vitamin K supplementation at birth to ensure their baby’s health and well-being.

Can you delay the vitamin K shot for newborns?

To allow and encourage immediate bonding and contact between the newborn and mother, administration of the vitamin K shot can be delayed until after the first feeding up to 6 hours after birth. Administering the dose of vitamin K within 6 hours is the best way to prevent bleeding.

Can you refuse a vitamin K shot at birth?

You always have the right to refuse treatment, including these things for your baby. In fact, you will have to sign something if they give your baby a vaccine. We did Vitamin K, but delayed Hep B (which is not routine at our hospital anyway) and skipped the eye ointment, because it was unnecessary for us.

Where do you inject vitamin K in newborns?

Dosage: Injection Vitamin K 1 mg per 1 ml or 0.5 ml aqueous preparation. 6. Site of injection: Antero-lateral aspect of the thigh. In case any vaccination being given at birth such as Hep B then they should be given in separate thighs.

How much vitamin K is in human breast milk?

Vitamin K was quantitated in the milk of four groups of 15 mothers from 1 d to 6 mo postpartum in a cross-sectional study. Concentrations were 7.52 ± 5.90 and 6.36 ± 5.32 nmol/L (3.39 ± 2.66 and 2.87 ± 2.40 pg/L) in colostrum and mature milk, respectively.

Which sensory system is least mature at the time of birth?

Consequently, vision is the most poorly developed sense at birth and time is needed to build those neural pathways between the eye and the brain.

How do I give my newborn vitamin K orally?

Vitamin K by mouth
your midwife will give your baby a 2mg dose shortly after birth • you will need to give your baby a second 2mg dose when your baby is between four and seven days old • if you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby, you will need to give them a third 2mg dose when they are one month old.

Can my baby get vitamin K through breast milk?

Formula adds vitamin K to their product, giving infants a direct source. Mothers who breastfeed, however, do pass on vitamin K to their babies, but there are very low doses in breastmilk(13). Though low, these doses are actually enough to sustain babies’ needs, so long as the infant is feeding regularly.

Why do parents decline vitamin K for their newborns?

Some thought vitamin K may increase their child’s risk for leukemia. Even though a 1992 report linked vitamin K with childhood cancer, the finding never was replicated in other studies. Other parents said they wanted to minimize their child’s exposure to “toxins” and some thought it wasn’t necessary.

How many people refuse a vitamin K shot?

In the hospital setting, most parents accept intramuscular vitamin K for their newborns with reported refusal rates that ranged up to 3.2%. Extrapolating a refusal rate of 3.2% to ∼6 million live births in the United States, up to 192 000 newborns could be at risk for VKDB.

What are the side effects of vitamin K injection in newborns?

Side effects of the vitamin K injection:

• Pain.
• Bruising/swelling.
• Few cases of scarring at the injection site.
• Elevated bilirubin (rare)
• One single case report described an allergic reaction in a newborn (Note: newborns are less likely to have severe allergic reactions due to their immature immune systems)