Excerpt from Natural Baby and Childcare

Some mothers supplement their diet with foods high in vitamin K prior to childbirth and in the postpartum period, although there is no research to support this. Spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and watercress contain large amounts of vitamin K.

Most of my patients breastfeed their babies exclusively. Many prefer oral vitamin K rather than the injection. Since oral vitamin K has benefits without any obvious side effects this would be the treatment of choice.

Although most pediatricians administer one dose of oral vitamin K, some clinicians advocate giving breastfed infants three doses of oral vitamin K during the following intervals: first week, between week 2 to 3 and at 28 days.

Summary of Vitamin K

• Newborns have low levels of vitamin K, which can lead to bleeding on rare occasions.
• Routine use of Vitamin K, either by injection or oral is recommended by most doctors.
• Controversial link between vitamin K injection and childhood leukemia.
• Vitamin K given orally is just as effective in healthy infants.