Why is it so hard to find more information about Vitamin K? As I heard a mom struggle to find information, I had to step up and see for myself. This is the reason for this blog. Typically I don't prefer to discuss medications or drug treatments, but in order to serve with an ethical heart, I want moms and dads to know all sides, not just the pro/con side. I understand that as a parent, there is no right or wrong way to raise your child. There is a way, and the best way is limited to those who know how to find that information to make the right choice. The LAST thing I want is for anyone I know or read about to make their decision based on fear and was one or two articles away from realizing what they could've done instead. So here it is, the grey side to health regarding Vitamin K for newborns after birth.
Any direct supplement (oral/injection) can be used in an Emergency situation (i.e. intense trauma at birth that may have caused bruising and/or circumcision procedures). So it is wise to be aware of the needed protocol for oral dose when the types of trauma has occurred. We believe that when these types of situations occur, it is best to have our trained medical respond team perform these treatments.
The article published by Evidence Based Birth has 34 references in regards to shedding a big light on Vitamin K for newborns. They answer a lot of questions such as:
-Is there any evidence that Vitamin K can prevent late Vitamin K deficiency bleeding?
-Why does oral Vitamin K sometimes fail to prevent bleeds?
-and much more!
Some statitistics to help you ponder:
Current reported estimated rates for developing late 'Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding':
0.0005% for infants who do NOT receive Vit K at birth
0.0003% for infants who received oral Vit K at birth
0.000005% for infants who received Vit K shot at birth
In another article published by Pathways Magazine by Dr. Joseph Mercola, DO:
"I also believe your lifestyle before and during pregnancy can have a lot to do with raising or lowering your child’s risk of VKDB and other health problems, not to mention the method of delivery itself. It makes sense that using drugs and methods that are “rough” on your baby will increase the likelihood of your child suffering trauma and subsequent bleeding, raising the necessity for vitamin K.
Last but not least, unless environmental toxins such as glyphosate are now causing children to be dangerously deficient in vitamin K, there’s reason to believe that nature has a plan—that there’s some reason why babies are born with low vitamin K stores, and why the level slowly rises. Also, remember that you can safely and naturally increase your infant’s vitamin K levels if you are breastfeeding by increasing your own vitamin K levels. Vitamin K1 is found in green vegetables. Of equal importance is to optimize your gut health and vitamin D levels. Vitamin K2 is produced by certain gut bacteria, and works synergistically with vitamin D to optimize your and your baby’s health (both while in utero, and during breastfeeding)."
Every choice is yours to make and we hope to provide you not just both sides of the equation, but all sides because life is not just black and white. References:
1. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-the-vitamin-k-shot-in-newborns/
2. http://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/Holistic-Healthcare/the-controversy-reignites.html