Oral Vit. K Instead of Vit. K Injection--Anyone Try It With Their Newborn?

Question

I'm trying to find information about giving a newborn oral Vitamin K instead of the typical Vitamin K injection routinely given in U.S. hospitals. Has anyone requested the oral dose instead of the injection? Did you encounter any problems? (by this, I mean with availability, hospital resistance, etc.). Any insights or tips would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I am doing the oral this time. I think the injection is too much for a newborn. You can also take vitamin k and if your nurse, it will transfer to the baby

Answer 2

My son had the shot. My daughter had the oral. We had to request it. My doctor and babies doctor okay-ed it. Still they had trouble getting it for some reason. I think if I had it to do over or had another baby I would do the shot. The oral was a huge dose and she was gagging and not wanting to take it. It took over 4 minutes because she was fighting. The shot is done in seconds.  

Answer 3

We went that route; there was a little "Well, I'm not sure if the hospital has that available, hrm" reaction, but they had no problems finding it when presented with "Oral vitamin K or no vitamin K."

If I did it again I don't think I'd bother with it at all. It was rather a large dose of sludge for a newborn, and I really don't think they're meant to have anything via mouth save breast milk. I encourage you to do as much research as possible before making your choice.

This:

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/vitk... is of interest.