BMJ 1994;309:668-669 (10 September)

Letters

Vitamin K for neonates

EDITOR, - Jim Slattery commits a serious error in suggesting that breastfeeding mothers who experience major difficulties during the early weeks should give their babies supplementary formula milk.1 This is bad advice and contrary to the results of research on establishing breast feeding. Breastfeeding mothers who experience difficulties need individualised help from their midwife or health visitor without delay. Breastfeeding counsellors are also available to give support and information of a non-medical nature. All health care workers should remember that formula milk is bad for breast feeding. We were heartened by Gerald Draper and Andrew McNinch's statement that "while we continue to debate vitamin K regimens we should be unanimous in promoting breast feeding."2

The National Childbirth Trust recently asked members to send details of policies and practices on administration of vitamin K. We found that when written material is available for parents there is a danger that it may . . . [Full text of this article]


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