Does a baby get vitamin K from breast milk?

Understanding Vitamin K in Breast Milk
Vitamin K is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone health. However, when it comes to newborns, the situation is quite complex. Babies are born with very low levels of vitamin K, primarily because this vitamin does not cross the placenta effectively during pregnancy. As a result, they are at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) in the early weeks of life.
The Role of Breast Milk
Breast milk is widely recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, providing a range of vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy growth and development. However, breast milk contains only small amounts of vitamin K. Research indicates that the concentration of vitamin K in breast milk is relatively low, typically ranging from about 1 to 9 micrograms per liter. This limited supply means that exclusively breastfed infants may not receive sufficient vitamin K to meet their needs during the first few months of life.
Implications for Newborns
Due to the low levels of vitamin K in breast milk, breastfed infants can remain at risk for vitamin K deficiency until their gut bacteria develop sufficiently to produce this vitamin on their own. This process usually takes several weeks, during which time the infant’s vitamin K levels may remain inadequate. Consequently, health experts recommend that newborns receive a one-time intramuscular injection of vitamin K at birth to prevent VKDB, ensuring they have adequate levels of this vital nutrient right from the start.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk is the best nutrition for infants, it is not a sufficient source of vitamin K. The low levels present in breast milk, combined with the infant’s initial lack of gut bacteria to synthesize vitamin K, underscore the importance of administering a vitamin K shot at birth. This preventive measure is crucial for safeguarding newborns against potential bleeding disorders associated with vitamin K deficiency.

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.

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.

Can babies get vitamin K from breastmilk?

No. Breast milk is low in vitamin K. Breast milk from mothers who are taking vitamin K supplements is also low in vitamin K. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns, whether breastfed or formula fed, receive a one-time intramuscular shot of vitamin K within 6 hours after birth.

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.

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 do babies get vitamin K?

Vitamin K is needed for blood clotting. Newborn babies are given vitamin K injections to prevent a serious disease called haemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN). Vitamin K can be given by mouth if preferred, but oral doses aren’t as effective.

How to increase vitamin K in breast milk?

According to another study by Greer, a supplement of 5 milligrams of Vitamin K daily to lactating mothers increases the concentration in human milk to about 80 nanograms per milliliter (15). For comparison, most infant formulas have around 50 to 60 nanograms per milliliter of Vitamin K.

What happens when a baby has a lack of vitamin K?

Babies are born with low levels of vitamin K. Vitamin K is needed for blood to clot. Not having enough vitamin K is the main cause of vitamin deficiency bleeding. If your baby’s blood doesn’t clot, they may have severe bleeding or a hemorrhage.

Will they circumcise without vitamin K?

Circumcision should not be done without receiving a Vitamin K shot. Without a Vitamin K shot there is also an increased risk of bleeding if your baby would need any surgical procedure now or in the future.

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)