Vitamin K Injection

Vitamin K is a crucial blood clotting factor which is normally given by injection to your baby just after birth to prevent a rare condition called Haemolytic disease of the newborn. Many couples feel that is unfair to give the baby a needle stick soon after birth as there is the alternative method of giving vitamin K orally in drops.

Some midwives do say that if you breast feed normally and don’t wash the nipple area with antiseptic soap, a fungus in the air will react with the milk and provide naturally occurring vitamin K to your baby. You will probably want to discuss this with your healthcare provider but we feel that as oral drops are available this option is probably preferable.