Vitamin K to Newborns
Breastmilk is low in vitamin K, but this is not a deficiency, nor is it a hazard for the newborn. We were taught that the gut utilizes bacteria in the synthesis of vitamin K. Because formula is extremely processed and sterilized, etc. in its manufacture, it takes the formula-fed infant longer to build up enough of these friendly bacteria than it does in the breastfed infant. The substance lactoferrin in breastmilk helps the "digestive system [to be] colonized with non-pathogenic bacteria" which are necessary for he infant to synthesize her own vitamin K. My source for this is the "Resource Notebook for the Breastfeeding Educator Program", 1995 edition, by Debbie Bocar, RN, BSN, BSS, MEd, MSN, IBCLC (and probably Doctor of Education by now; she was working on it last year at the time of the course). She gives her source as Edwards 1994.