Injections of vitamin K for babies were first introduced in Australia in the early 1970's. They were originally only given to sick, premature infants, but by 1980 were given routinely to all babies (sometimes without the formal consent by the parents, it was just done!). The dose was usually 1 mg, or 0.5mg for very small premature babies.
The original vitamin K injections (known as 'Konakion') were developed in the 1950's. They contained phytomenadoine (Vitamin K1) as well as glycol, phenol and polyethylated castor oil. The latter substances mixed in with the Vitamin K1 were known to possibly cause local irritation in the baby's skin when given as an injection and irritation of the baby's stomach and bowel when given orally.
In the last 10 years or so some parents started expressing a desire to avoid giving their baby an injection soon after the birth. In response to this caregivers used the original Konakion injection medication and administered it orally to the baby, due to the absence of having a specially prepared oral substitute available. A few major hospitals did develop their own oral Vitamin K powder (that could be mixed with water or breast milk), as an alternative to using the injectable medication. At first, only one dose was given, usually on the day the baby was born. This was soon changed to 3 doses in the baby's first month of life, to improve the protection for Late VKDB.
In October 2000, the original Vitamin K injection (or Konakion) was discontinued. It has now been replaced by a new formulation called 'Konakion MM Paediatric' (still usually referred to as just 'Vitamin K' by most caregivers). This contains the Vitamin K1 (called 'phytomenadoine') and naturally occurring substances called sodium glycocholate (bile acid) and lecithin, making it much more suitable for oral administration, as well as an injection.