Vitamin K And Newborn Babies - Healthy Eating For Babies And Young Children

Vitamin K and newborn babies - Healthy eating for babies and young children

Your baby has just been born! They are the most beautiful! To the best of your knowledge, they are already given a dose of vitamin K; an operation that will be renewed on the third day of life. What are the properties of vitamin K? Why and when should your baby take it? We take stock. 

The properties of vitamin K 

Vitamin K which is consisting of several molecules occurs primarily in the normal coagulation of blood. It also plays a role in bone mineralization and cell growth. Its properties are essential for good cardiovascular health and prevent bone fractures. There are two forms of vitamin K. First, plant-derived K1, also known as phylloquinone, is found in green leafy vegetables such as cabbage, spinach or salad, in soybeans and derivatives and in vegetable oils. Second, vitamin K2, of bacterial origin, is produced by the bacteria of the digestive tract; particularly, of the intestine. 

The consequences of vitamin K 

deficiency Cases of vitamin K deficiency in adults remain rare. However, one can worry when the person frequently suffers from bleeding, especially nose, or bruising, as well as signs of subcutaneous bleeding. These symptoms are easily treated with anticoagulants, or "anti-vitamin K". Vitamin K may also be lacking in the elderly, whose bones are weaker. Conversely, an excess of vitamin K can lead to liver damage.

In infants, deficiency presents higher risks of internal bleeding, also known as "neonatal hemorrhagic syndrome". The symptoms can cause irreversible sequelae on the brain or even lead to death, in some cases. Yet, in France, these risks are prevented with vitamin K intake. 

Vitamin K supplementation for infants

 While the body of an adult, supported by a balanced diet, generates enough vitamin K to avoid deficiencies; unlikely, your baby is born with still weak cell reserves and insufficient production of vitamin K by intestinal bacteria. This is the reason why all maternity hospitals provide births with a dose of vitamin K at birth and on the third day. Moreover, depending on the diet you have chosen for your baby, a contribution may still be necessary. If you breastfeed your baby, your milk will provide them with all the elements necessary for their well-being, growth, and immunity. However, the mother's vitamin K does not pass into the milk; that's why your doctor will prescribe vitamin K to give to your baby. A weekly dose for the duration of exclusive breastfeeding will be sufficient to cover their needs. If you choose to bottle feed your baby from birth, the formula contains all the nutrients your child needs, including vitamin K.

Other recommended supplementation for baby 

Our body needs 13 vitamins to function well. When they are not self-made by the human body, they are brought by food. Nevertheless, some may be lacking for the baby to grow up in good shape. This is the case of vitamin K as we have just seen, and this is also the case for vitamin D. The latter helps calcium to settle on the bones; so, it plays a major role in the growth of your baby. It is generated by the synthesis of sunlight in the skin. It can also be found in fish oils, in cereals, eggs and animal livers, etc. Your pediatrician may prescribe vitamin D ampoules for your baby up to 2 years, regardless of where you live. Because even if a quarter of an hour of daily exposure to the light of day is enough to produce its need for vitamin D, it is better not to expose their skin to the sun, which is still fragile.