Information Station - Vitamin K is an injection given to babies after birth to aide in blood clotting.
- Erythromycin eye ointment is given after birth to prevent serious eye infections which could lead to blindness.
- Hepatitis B vaccine can be given in the hospital prior to discharge after consent is obtained. If you refuse the hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital, your baby can be vaccinated in your pediatrician’s office.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the only fever/pain reducer safe for babies under 6 months of age. Consult your pediatrician before giving any medication! Fevers (temperature >100.4˚F) in infants less than 3 months old must always be reported to your pediatrician
- Never give your baby aspirin because it can cause Reye’s syndrome and brain damage.
- If your baby is troubled by gas and seems as though he/she is in pain, ask your doctor about Mylicon drops.
- The Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all infants be given daily vitamin D supplements to prevent a condition called rickets.
- Rickets is the softening of bones in children which can potentially lead to fractures and deformities.
- The new recommendation (revised November 2008) is 400 IU (international units) per day starting in the first couple of days of life.
- Vitamin D supplements should be continued until your baby is able to drink at least 1 liter (approximately 34 ounces) of vitamin D-fortified formula or milk per day.
- Discuss vitamin D supplements with your pediatrician. Polyvisol and Trivisol are two common multivitamin formulations for infants that contain 400 IU of vitamin D. Cod liver oil is also an excellent source for vitamin D.
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