Vitamin K shots for newborns are easy, safe, and have been used for decades to prevent catastrophic Vitamin K deficiency bleeding.  Pediatricians have been formally recommending Vitamin K shots for all newborn babies since 1961.  There has been some misinformation circulating about this shot and so more parents are starting to refuse this important and potentially life-saving vitamin dose.

Here are some good articles with more information about Vitamin K for neonates:

• Why Your Newborn Needs a Vitamin K Shot (HealthyChildren.org, parent website for the American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Babies are bleeding to death as parents reject routine vitamin shot given at birth (ProPublica, May 6, 2026)
• About Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (CDC, January 17, 2025)
• Frequently asked questions about Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (CDC, January 17, 2025)