HELP! BLS for a 4 month old? Need extra Vit K...

Hello All,

I have just had the most terrifying few days of my life upon discovering my baby boy (almost 4 months) had 'bruises' all up his leg. I rushed him off to the Dr who referred me to a paediatrician who said it was called 'Petechiae' and sent us off to have a blood test. The blood test was an absolutely HORRIBLE experience for my poor little man (and myself :crying: ) to go through as was the dreaded wait for the result and making the mistake of Googling 'petechiae'.

I heard back from the paediatrician today and he said that the blood results were all fine :leap: (checked FBC and coagulation scores) but recommended that Archie starts solids for extra Vit K as he did not have Vit K at birth and he thinks this is the cause of the bruising.

I was wanting to do BLW and start solids at 6 months, no less. I told the paed this and he said that it was better to start solids at 4 months as babies are LESS likely to have allergies to foods if started earlier rather than later. He explained there was a 'window of opportunity' from 4 to 7 months where the body is less likely to become allergic to foods. Sorry about the poor explanation but i didn't really take alot of what he was saying in as i was terrified for my lil boy at the time! I told him that my concern was that his digestive system would not be "ready" yet but he brushed it off and said that he would be fine....

I don't know what to do! I really wanted to wait til he is ready to start himself but if he needs vit k then what can i safely start my bub on (that is rich in Vit K) that won't comprimise BLW in the future (and of course his digestive system)? Yoghurt is said to be rich in Vit K... Is yoghurt safe? Can he just suck the juices out of fruits and vegies? What should i do!? !!!!

Help me please!!!!!! TIA xx

Hi,

What a dreadfully scary time you have had! It must have been awful for you. It sounds though, at the end of the day the paediatrician didn't really have an explanation for the bruising.
Vitamin K is a vitamin (like Vit D) that nature didn't really intend for us to get through food. It is synthesised by bacteria in the gut. Ever though of why the vagina is so close to the anus? And why babies come out facing mum's bum? They get a good mouthful of bacteria which is great for their immune system and helps them to begin to make their own vit K. I wonder if you or your baby has had large doses of antibiotics - something which has killed off his gut flora, and compromised his ability to make his own vit K.
There are some food sources of vit K - but they are not easily available to the baby's body. Green vegies - spinach, kale, brussell sprouts etc are highest in vit K - but you would have to have a lot of it to get your daily requirements of vit K. Usually babies are started on rice cereal, fruit and vegies - especially at this age when their digestive system is not well developed.
We don't know what is causing the high prevalence of allergies in our society. There is much speculation - and we are all grasping in the dark. The allergists Association expound one theory. It hasn't been incorporated into Australian Health policy - nor is it likely to be. They argue that allergies have risen steeply in the last 10 years - the same period of time when the National Health and Medical Research Coucil has recommended introducing solids at 6 mnths. The flaw with this is that almost every Austalian child is exposed to foreign proteins in food - namely cows milk protein in formula. Many experts believe as few as 1% of babies are exclusively breastfed in line with WHO policies. There has been a very poor uptake, even, of the exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months (the ubiquitous use of formula aside!)
Back to the Vit K issue. The logical solution if his Vit K levels are low is to give supplements now. You can do this via injection or drops. Ask your dr to prescribe this. (Vit K levels could presumably be tested - your post doesn't say that his vit k levels WERE found to be low)
It would be good to get to the bottom of what IS causing this. It's your right to ask for a second opinion from another paediatrician if you feel that your questions have not been adequately answered
Hope this helps

Hi Barb,

Thankyou so much for your reply. I all makes sense to me now!

I HAVE recently had 3 doses of antibiotics! (for retained products then a bacterial infection)...

I wanted to phone the Paediatrician back as i don't think i asked enough questions about what exactly he tested for (or if he tested for vit K at all!). I might phone my midwife and see if she will be happy to administer the Vit K.

I really did not want to start solids just yet and i feel satisfied that my baby is thriving on my breastmilk as he is 7.2kg at 3 months and 3 weeks of age.

Thanks once again Barb!
x

HI, again,

It is a great idea to call your paed for more info. It is hard to remember all the right questions to ask when you are so stressed. No-one, not even the Allergists Association, recommends starting solids before 4 months. It says so in bold print on their website.