Vitamin K by Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc

[Guest guest]

I wanted to concur. What was said about breastfeeding below. I am also a big

advocate of breastfeeding and have been breastfeeding non stop for the last 7

years. Since my 7 year old was born, I haven't gone a day without nursing. I

don't nurse my 7 year old anymore. lol. But I still nurse his little brother.

And I have nursed through 2 pregnancies. So, between my 7 yo, my 4 yo, and 2

yo. I have tandem nursed as well. It's hard work. Especially in the

beginning. But once you get used to it, it's not that hard. And it's one of

the best things you can give a baby.

Janice

> > As far as your breastfeeding goes ...... vit k is only provided in

> breastmilk after the first week (if I remember right), and in colostrum if

> you have eaten vit. k rich foods the last part of your pregnancy.

> Breastfeeding is NOT something that just comes naturally. Id on't care what

> anyone says. I successfullly nursed both boys, and it's hard work for about

> the first 3 or 4 weeks. It's worth it, but it is work. The best thing to

> do is make sure you have the name of a lactation consultant. I just

> recently went to my first La Leche meeting. Even though I nursed both boys,

> I wanted the support that comes with a support group. The ladies were

> awesome.

> >

> > My biggest suggestion for this, is to nurse as often as the baby wants.

> It's not a forever thing, they won't nurse every hour forever, you aren't

> going to spoil the baby by nursing on demand. They eventually level out.

> Only about 1% of people CAN'T breastfeed. The rest I think either really

> don't want to do it, or just don't have the support to stick with it.

> >

> > feel free to email me off list if you get discouraged. I am a huge huge

> breastfeeding advocate. Remember something else too. It can take up to a

> week for your milk to actually come in. The more you nurse the more you

> produce.

> >

> > Best Wishes

> > & Liam (induction 4/2)

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Here is part of an article I wrote about vitamin K.

Eye ointment is only

used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases transmitted to a newborn

during a vaginal delivery. If the mother knows she is free of these, then

the ointment is unnecessary.

Vitamin K

An injection of vitamin K (1.0 mg) is routinely administered to all

newborns to prevent unexpected bleeding caused by low levels of vitamin

K-dependent blood clotting factors. Vitamin K is present in green

vegetables, vegetable oils, and dairy products, but intake or

supplementation during pregnancy does not ensure prevention of vitamin K

deficiency in newborns.

The syndrome of vitamin K deficiency bleeding occurs in approximately 1 in

10,000 babies. Hemorrhagic disease that occurs from week 2-12 of life is the

most dangerous form. Half of these affected babies suffer sudden bleeding

into the brain, and 20 percent of affected babies die. Studies have shown

that a single injection or oral dose of vitamin K at birth results in

adequate coagulation status and vitamin K levels for up to three months

following birth.

Injected vitamin K ran into a problem when researchers in 1990 noted an

increased incidence of childhood cancer in children given vitamin K

injections at birth. Specifically, they found that injected vitamin K

doubled the incidence of leukemia in children less than ten years of age. A

subsequent study in 1992 revealed the same association between injected

vitamin K and cancer, but no such association with oral vitamin K. These

researchers recommended exclusive use of oral vitamin K.

Since vitamin K given within 12 hours of birth can reduce the risk of

vitamin K deficiency bleeding, it seems prudent to give an oral dose of 1-2

mg. Injections of vitamin K are painful and can cause bruising at the

injection site. There may also be an increased risk of cancer associated

with vitamin K injections.

Mothers should eat foods with high vitamin K content during pregnancy

(green vegetables and dairy products) because vitamin K is transferred to

the fetus across the placenta. Pregnant women can also take alfalfa tablets

during pregnancy, a good source of vitamin K.

It is also advisable to give 1-2 mg. of vitamin K to breastfed infants at

ages one to two weeks and at four weeks. Formulas are already supplemented

with vitamin K. Alternatively, nursing mothers can take a daily dose of

vitamin K during the first three months following birth. If nursing mothers

take a daily 5 mg. vitamin K supplement their babies' vitamin K status

improves through the first 12 weeks of life.

Although oral vitamin K is not licensed for use as a drug by the FDA, drops

for oral administration are available. Typically, one drop contains 2 mg. of

vitamin K. Contact a midwife in your area, or a birthing supply company

(such as birthwithlove.com), or Scientific Botanicals (206 527-5521) where

your health care provider can order liquid vitamin K directly.

Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc

Classical Medicine Center

1779 Woodside Rd #201C

Redwood City, CA 94061

650 299-9170

Subscribe to Dr. Neustaedter's free email newsletter at www.cure-guide.com

email: randalln@...

Author of The Vaccine Guide, North Atlantic Books

Re: [Vaccinations] Where is the discussion/questions on

> On a side note, I couldn't help but notice another post that said no to

the

> Vitamin K shot and the eye ointment. What's up with those? Something I

> should know about?

>

>

> Well, I don't know where you live, but Vit. k isn't routine in every state

(it's used to prevent bleeding, baby doesn't produce his/her own clotting

factors right away). My sister works at a hospital in S. Carolina and they

don't routinely use vit. k. I lost all my links, but I think this one has

neonatal jaundice links and since both of my older sons were jaundice and

had vit. k and we don't have any bleeding disorders in either family, it's

just not neccessary in my opinion.

> Eye ointment is to treat sexually transmitted diseases. I didn't test

positive for anything at the beginning of this pregnancy, I haven't been

with anyone else in 6 years, so the liklihood of me having some disease is

nil ..... so why do it?

>

> As far as your breastfeeding goes ...... vit k is only provided in

breastmilk after the first week (if I remember right), and in colostrum if

you have eaten vit. k rich foods the last part of your pregnancy.

Breastfeeding is NOT something that just comes naturally. Id on't care what

anyone says. I successfullly nursed both boys, and it's hard work for about

the first 3 or 4 weeks. It's worth it, but it is work. The best thing to

do is make sure you have the name of a lactation consultant. I just

recently went to my first La Leche meeting. Even though I nursed both boys,

I wanted the support that comes with a support group. The ladies were

awesome.

>

> My biggest suggestion for this, is to nurse as often as the baby wants.

It's not a forever thing, they won't nurse every hour forever, you aren't

going to spoil the baby by nursing on demand. They eventually level out.

Only about 1% of people CAN'T breastfeed. The rest I think either really

don't want to do it, or just don't have the support to stick with it.

>

> feel free to email me off list if you get discouraged. I am a huge huge

breastfeeding advocate. Remember something else too. It can take up to a

week for your milk to actually come in. The more you nurse the more you

produce.

>

> Best Wishes

> & Liam (induction 4/2)

>

>

>