More Alberta parents pushing back against vitamin K injection for newborns, some doctors say – CBC
Canadian Paediatric Society recommends a vitamin K injection within 6 hours of birth to prevent bleeding
Oct 28, 2025
Some Alberta doctors say they’re seeing a recent and concerning trend of new parents either questioning or refusing vitamin K injections, which have been given to newborns as standard practice for decades.
Canadian babies have been routinely given vitamin K shots because they’re generally born with low levels of the vitamin, which is important for blood clotting to prevent serious bleeding.
The Canadian Paediatric Society, along with other high-profile medical organizations, recommends all babies get the shot within six hours of birth.
“I have seen a significant increase in the number of people who are saying they don’t want to give vitamin K to their baby,” said Calgary-based high-risk obstetrician Dr. Stephanie Cooper.
Cooper said parents tell her they don’t trust the injection but are unable to articulate why.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/standard-preventative-treatment-newborns-alberta-9.6956922
