3 Important Treatments Your Baby Receives After Birth
Meeting your baby for the first time—and holding them skin to skin after an uncomplicated delivery—is truly magical. These first moments are not only deeply meaningful, they also begin your baby’s journey of bonding, comfort, and learning how to feed.
During this special time, your healthcare team will also quietly begin caring for your newborn. A nurse will gently dry and clean your baby, and a pediatrician will perform a careful head-to-toe exam.
With your permission, your baby will also receive three routine, evidence-based treatments:
- Vitamin K injection
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Erythromycin eye ointment
Why Newborns Receive Vitamin K, Hepatitis B Vaccine, and Eye Ointment After Birth
These treatments protect your baby from serious issues that can arise in their early days and months. It’s completely natural to have questions about anything recommended for your newborn. We’re here to partner with you in understanding why these treatments are offered and how they help protect your baby.
Why is vitamin K recommended at birth?
Vitamin K helps the body form blood clots—something we all rely on to stop bleeding. Newborns are born with very low levels of vitamin K, which puts them at risk for a rare but serious condition called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). This type of bleeding can happen without warning and may occur internally, including in the brain or intestines.
Babies start life with low vitamin K because:
- Very little passes from mother to baby during pregnancy
- Breast milk contains only small amounts
- Newborns aren’t yet eating vitamin K–rich foods
- Their gut bacteria (which help make vitamin K) haven’t developed yet
A single vitamin K injection shortly after birth safely and effectively prevents this kind of bleeding. Because of its strong track record, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended it for all newborns since 1961. Babies who get this treatment almost never develop VKDB.
Why not give vitamin K by mouth?
Oral vitamin K is less reliable and does not protect as well as the injection.
Why not wait and treat bleeding if it happens?
Unfortunately, VKDB can occur suddenly and may already be severe by the time it’s detected. Treatment at that point can involve emergency care, blood transfusions, and still carry serious risks. Prevention is much safer and simpler.
Why give the Hepatitis B vaccine so early?
Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. While it may not cause obvious symptoms at first, infection in infancy can lead to lifelong health problems, including liver disease and cancer.
Starting protection at birth is important because:
- Exposure can happen early from a parent or caregiver who may not know they carry the virus.
- Early vaccination builds protection right away.
- Infants who get hepatitis B are especially vulnerable. About 9 out of 10 babies who become infected develop chronic (lifelong) infection.
Even in careful households, hepatitis B can be spread through small cuts, shared items, or close contact.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the first dose at birth, followed by completion of the vaccine series during infancy to provide long-term protection.
Why is erythromycin eye ointment used for newborns?
During delivery, babies can be exposed to bacteria that may cause a serious eye infection called ophthalmia neonatorum. This causes a baby’s eyes to look red, swollen and have thick discharge. If you see these symptoms or if your baby has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher—seek medical care right away.
While uncommon, this infection can lead to serious vision problems or even blindness if not treated. A small amount of erythromycin ointment placed in your baby’s eyes shortly after birth helps prevent this infection before it starts.
Partnering with you
We understand that every parent wants to make the best decisions for their child. These early treatments are recommended because they are safe, well-studied, and highly effective at preventing rare but serious conditions.
If you have questions or concerns, we welcome them. Your care team is here to support you, provide clear information, and partner with you in keeping your baby healthy from the very beginning.
About the Author
Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.