Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Why do newborns need a vitamin K shot? Dr. Lena van der List, a pediatrician and mom at UC Davis Children's Hospital, explains why vitamin K is recommended for newborns, how vitamin K helps blood clot, and why babies are at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). While VKDB is rare, it can cause serious internal bleeding, including bleeding in the brain, and can lead to permanent brain injury or death. The good news is that vitamin K deficiency bleeding is almost entirely preventable with a vitamin K injection after birth.
In this episode of Little Lessons, Dr. van der List also addresses common questions and concerns about the newborn vitamin K shot, including its safety, how long it has been used, and whether oral vitamin K is an effective alternative. If you're expecting a baby or are a new parent wondering whether your newborn really needs vitamin K, this video explains what the evidence tells us. Talk with your obstetrician or pediatrician if you have questions about vitamin K for your baby.
Additional resources:
Learn more about the vitamin K shot for newborns: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/facts-and-myths-parents-should-know-about-vitamin-k-shots-for-newborns/2025/08?utm
Kids Considered podcast episode on newborn care at the hospital: youtu.be/qYw303EoC8U
Childhood vaccine schedule explained: youtu.be/KmXhwk8YUlA
Watch more episodes of Little Lessons with Dr. Lena van der List: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7qvIv8N9Rs-woHEQx69oSImJQHHnqLC
This video includes an audio description track. To hear the narration of on‑screen text, turn on "English Descriptive" in the player’s settings menu.
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At UC Davis Children’s Hospital, we put your child at the center of everything that we do. It’s personalized care, uniquely sized for your child. You’ll see it in our child-friendly designs throughout the hospital, our farm-to-fork approach to dining, our playrooms and teen rooms and our team that feels like family. UC Davis Children’s Hospital is Sacramento’s only nationally ranked, comprehensive hospital for children, serving infants, children, adolescents and young adults with primary, subspecialty and critical care.
UC Davis Children’s Hospital: https://children.ucdavis.edu
Children’s Surgery Center: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/childrens-surgery-center/
Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/child-life/
Fetal Care and Treatment Center: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/fetal-care-treatment-center/
See the latest news from UC Davis Health: https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom
Kids Considered podcast: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7qvIv8N9Rtl7F3ziKi_A-dm0eKSvQBt
Facebook: facebook.com/UCDavisChildrensHospital
Instagram: instagram.com/ucdavischildren
Twitter/X: twitter.com/UCDavisChildren
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0:00 Intro
0:29 Why do newborns need vitamin K?
1:06 What is vitamin K deficiency bleeding?
1:46 Is the vitamin K shot safe for newborns?
2:05 Is oral vitamin K a good option for newborns?
2:34 Is the vitamin K shot optional for newborns?
The information in this video was accurate as of the upload date, 8/24/26. For information purposes only. Consult your local medical authority for advice.
#VitaminK #Newborn #NewbornCare #Pediatrics #BabyHealth
Why do newborns need a vitamin K shot? Dr. Lena van der List, a pediatrician and mom at UC Davis Children's Hospital, explains why vitamin K is recommended for newborns, how vitamin K helps blood clot, and why babies are at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). While VKDB is rare, it can cause serious internal bleeding, including bleeding in the brain, and can lead to permanent brain injury or death. The good news is that vitamin K deficiency bleeding is almost entirely preventable with a vitamin K injection after birth.
In this episode of Little Lessons, Dr. van der List also addresses common questions and concerns about the newborn vitamin K shot, including its safety, how long it has been used, and whether oral vitamin K is an effective alternative. If you're expecting a baby or are a new parent wondering whether your newborn really needs vitamin K, this video explains what the evidence tells us. Talk with your obstetrician or pediatrician if you have questions about vitamin K for your baby.
Additional resources:
Learn more about the vitamin K shot for newborns: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/facts-and-myths-parents-should-know-about-vitamin-k-shots-for-newborns/2025/08?utm
Kids Considered podcast episode on newborn care at the hospital: youtu.be/qYw303EoC8U
Childhood vaccine schedule explained: youtu.be/KmXhwk8YUlA
Watch more episodes of Little Lessons with Dr. Lena van der List: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7qvIv8N9Rs-woHEQx69oSImJQHHnqLC
This video includes an audio description track. To hear the narration of on‑screen text, turn on "English Descriptive" in the player’s settings menu.
——
At UC Davis Children’s Hospital, we put your child at the center of everything that we do. It’s personalized care, uniquely sized for your child. You’ll see it in our child-friendly designs throughout the hospital, our farm-to-fork approach to dining, our playrooms and teen rooms and our team that feels like family. UC Davis Children’s Hospital is Sacramento’s only nationally ranked, comprehensive hospital for children, serving infants, children, adolescents and young adults with primary, subspecialty and critical care.
UC Davis Children’s Hospital: https://children.ucdavis.edu
Children’s Surgery Center: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/childrens-surgery-center/
Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/child-life/
Fetal Care and Treatment Center: https://health.ucdavis.edu/children/services/fetal-care-treatment-center/
See the latest news from UC Davis Health: https://health.ucdavis.edu/newsroom
Kids Considered podcast: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7qvIv8N9Rtl7F3ziKi_A-dm0eKSvQBt
Facebook: facebook.com/UCDavisChildrensHospital
Instagram: instagram.com/ucdavischildren
Twitter/X: twitter.com/UCDavisChildren
——
0:00 Intro
0:29 Why do newborns need vitamin K?
1:06 What is vitamin K deficiency bleeding?
1:46 Is the vitamin K shot safe for newborns?
2:05 Is oral vitamin K a good option for newborns?
2:34 Is the vitamin K shot optional for newborns?
The information in this video was accurate as of the upload date, 8/24/26. For information purposes only. Consult your local medical authority for advice.
#VitaminK #Newborn #NewbornCare #Pediatrics #BabyHealth
