Vitamin K

Vitamin K (Kanavit) is administered to all newborns, usually between 2 and 6 hours after birth, as a preventive measure against haemorrhagic disease of the newborn. We prefer a single injection of vitamin K. At the parents’ request, it can be administered in drop form, but this requires continuing the vitamin K treatment (1 drop once a week) until the child is 12 weeks old.

When taking a blood sample, we use non-pharmacological methods of pain relief (swaddling and a few drops of sucrose solution on the tip of the tongue) to minimise any discomfort associated with the procedure. Parents may accompany their baby during the examination; this always depends on their preference. In the event of elevated serum bilirubin levels, we initiate treatment with blue light (phototherapy), which we also provide as part of the rooming-in system, whereby we place a special phototherapy lamp above the baby’s cot in close proximity to the mother’s bed.