vitamin k

[keely027]

does anyone know about the vitmin k injections they offer newborns at the hospital?

My DS had it not as an injection but as drops on his tongue. He had it as a newborn, at 5 days and then again at 28 days as he'd had nothing but breastmilk.

He drank it quite willingly!

What do you want to know?

DD had the injection with no complaints.

why are the offering it? why do they need it? first i heard about it was on a pre printed birth plan i was handed

Vitamin k deficiency is really really rare but can cause massive problems in newborns if they have it - if I remember rightly it's something to do with blood clotting. Giving them vitamin k is harmless to them but prevents this from happening.

so most people a re pro the k injection?

Vitamin K is given to prevent haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Basically, it helps the blood to clot, therefore stopping internal bleeding - particularly in the brain, umbilicus and gut. Newborns are born with low stores, and so it is offered as either injection or oral drops to top it up.

I opted for the injection with all 3 of mine. It was quick and easy and one less thing to try and remember to make sure the drops were done. Not everyone likes the idea of the injection, and like Pottering, the drops are a better option.

HTH

Suzy c

I asked my midwife about injection vs. drops today and apparently if I chose drops I would have to administer them at 7 days and 28 days approx. I went for injection for dd and will do the same for dc2 due in a week.

I didn't opt for the drops as such - my hospital doesn't administer vitamin k by injection so it was that or nothing.

But definitely worth having in my opinion.

my dd had the injection not somthing id risk not having!
this buba will have it too x

cheers thanks for all the advice, has put my mind at rest