Vitamin K for newborn babies: injection or drops

Soon after your baby is born, you’ll be offered vitamin K. It’s a decision to make before the birth, so here’s what it’s for and what your options are.

What is it for?

The NHS says vitamin K helps prevent a rare bleeding disorder called haemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

What are the options?

An injection. The NHS says you’ll be offered an injection of vitamin K for your baby, and that your midwife should have discussed it with you during pregnancy.
By mouth. If you’d rather not have the injection, the NHS says your baby can have vitamin K by mouth, but they’ll need further doses.

The NHS page doesn’t give the number of doses or the timing for the oral route, so ask your midwife exactly what the plan would be, and who will make sure the doses are given. One trust’s leaflet describes 2mg oral doses at birth, around day 5 to 7, and around 4 weeks, with some trusts leaving out the last dose if the baby is formula fed. Schedules differ between trusts.

Oral vitamin K isn’t suitable for every baby, so your team may recommend the injection in some situations. Tell your midwife about any medicines you take.

It’s your decision

It’s offered, not required, and you can ask questions. You can change your mind later. Tell your midwife. Raise it at an antenatal appointment so you’re not deciding in labour. You may also want to write your choice in your birth plan.

Where it fits in the first hours

The NHS says the first minutes after birth usually include skin-to-skin contact, drying and covering your baby, and an examination by a midwife, neonatal nurse or paediatrician. Ask your midwife when vitamin K would be given and whether you can have skin-to-skin first.

Questions to ask your midwife

What are the differences between the injection and the oral doses?
If I choose oral vitamin K, when are the further doses and who gives them?
What if I give birth at home?
Which signs should I watch for afterwards, including jaundice that lasts beyond 2 weeks and any unusual bleeding?

Questions people ask

Is vitamin K a test?

No. It isn’t a screening test, but it’s part of the care offered to newborns, so it often comes up alongside the newborn checks.

Can I choose drops instead of the injection?

Yes. The NHS says your baby can have it by mouth, but they’ll need further doses.

How many doses do drops need?

The NHS page doesn’t say. Ask your midwife or trust for the schedule they use.

When should I decide?

Ideally before the birth, so you can talk it through with your midwife.