Why should you give Vitamin K shots to your infants?

Vitamin K is one of the most important components necessary for blood clotting in case of serious bleeding in infants. The vitamin is injected into the bodies of infants for free after birth. These injections are available in public hospitals for free but parents can also get them in private hospitals. Vitamin K is given to infants because they do not get sufficient Vitamin K from the mother’s milk. The vitamin is important to save the babies in case they have heavy bleeding in their brains which sometimes caused death. Even though the disease is rare now it helps to save the child if they are given the injection. Babies are at the risk of getting Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) till they reach the age of six months.

Much research has been done to see if infants truly need the vitamin shots after birth. Doctors feel that waiting to see if the baby catches the disease is not a feasible option. Getting vitamin injections prior to the onset of VKDB is the best option. In the USA the rates of VKDB are really rare probably because parents opt to get their babies vaccinated. Babies without sufficient amount of Vitamin K tend to bleed continuously from important parts of their bodies including the brain. Without timely coagulation it can lead to disastrous consequences including brain damage.

Vitamin K vaccines have proved to be completely safe contrary to the beliefs of many parents. Sometimes premature babies night not react to the vitamin shots as expected because of other medications given to the child in the neonatal care units. A part of the Vitamin K given to the infants instantly mixes with the bloodstream and increases the Vitamin K level. The other part is stored in the liver and used for the purpose of blood coagulation. It gets used gradually in the next few months and becomes a steady source till the baby starts consuming food that gives Vitamin K.

Many parents do not opt for the injections fearing that the baby will feel pain and discomfort. It is true that babies have the same sensation of pain as adults. Mothers can hold the baby properly to reduce the amount of pain as well as breast feed them both before and after the injection. It helps the baby to bear the pain and feel comforted. Vitamin K vaccines for babies are a must and parents should opt for the same. Vitamin K is often administered by the mouth as well as through an injection. The latter is of course more preferred than the former because through a vaccine the vitamin remains stored in the muscle. Infants lack enough Vitamin K in them during birth or even when they are breastfeeding. Even if mothers are taking vitamin k in their diets it sometimes remains lacking. Therefore, taking these shots are very important for the overall development and survival of the baby. Parents, however, have a say in whether they want their children to get the shots or not.