18. Life Stages Flashcards
Why is breast milk the perfect food for babies?
Provides vitamins, minerals, carbs, proteins and fats in right proportions
Contains bifidobacteria and prebiotic oligosaccharides to help colonise the digestive tract and build immune system
Reduces risk of conditions such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, asthma, food allergies and CV disease
Why is breast milk good for mothers?
Cheap and convenient Delays return of regular ovulation Conserves iron stores Protects against breast/ovarian cancer Aids post-birth weight loss Supports mother-baby bond (oxytocin) Assists in quicker recovery from postpartum depression
What is the macronutrient composition of breast milk?
88% water 6-7% carbs 3-5% lipids <1% protein Enzymes
What is the main carb in breast milk?
Lactose
What is the benefit of lactose in babies?
Easily digestible
Enhances Ca absorption
What are the fats that make up breast milk?
Linoleic acid (LA)
Alpha linolenic acid (ALA)
Arachidonic acid (AA)
DHA
What are the proteins found in breast milk?
Alpha-lactalbumin
Whey
What do the enzymes in breast milk do?
Aid digestion of proteins, fats and carbs
Transport other nutrients
What is produced in the breasts in the first 2-3 days after delivery?
Colostrum
What does colostrum contain?
Serum with antibodies (IgA) WBCs Vit A Zn Bifidus factors that favour the growth of the friendly bacteria
What is the function of colostrum?
Protects infant from infections
Inactivates pathogenic bacteria within infant’s digestive tract
Has laxative effect to expel wastes that have accumulated in digestive tract during foetal development
Which situations have mothers been shown to have less beneficial microflora in breast milk?
Overweight mothers
Caesarean births
What is the iron binding protein found in breast milk?
Lactoferrin
What is the role of lactoferrin?
Prevents bacteria from accessing the iron they use to grow
Aids iron absorption
Kills some bacteria directly
What does the protein lactadherin do?
Fights off the virus that causes most infant diarrhoea
rotavirus
Why might breast milk protect against the development of CV disease?
Possible link between oxytocin release which causes vasodilation
Breast-fed infants have lower BP as adults
Overall, what are the health benefits of consuming breast milk as a child?
Reduction in respiratory tract infections
Reduction in GI tract infections
Reduction in CV disease
What are the key minerals found in breast milk?
Ca
Zn
Fe
Why is the Ca in breast milk beneficial to infants?
Bone growth
Why does the Zn in breast milk have high bioavailability?
Zinc-binding protein
Why is the low Na content in breast milk good for infants?
Immature kidneys
Does the Fe in breast milk have high or low bioavailability?
High
How and when is Fe transferred to the baby?
Across the placenta
3rd trimester
Do pre-term babies have less iron per kg than full term babies?
Yes
Why are babies iron stores used up in infancy?
Blood volume increases with body size
When is one third of a baby’s blood outside its body?
At birth
inside umbilical cord
How can babies get more iron, O2 and WBC at birth?
Delay clamping the cord until pulsating stops
How long is it recommended for mothers to breast feed for?
6 months and up to 2 years or more
What are the benefits to baby if mothers breastfeed for as long as possible?
Breast milk boosts the immune system
Provides feelings of love, comfort and protection
Contribute to self-esteem
What are the benefits to mum if she breastfeeds for as long as possible?
Increased bonding through release of oxytocin
Mild anti-inflammatory effects
What can mum do to establish successful lactation?
Spend 1st week at home with plenty of skin-on-skin contact
Feed on demand
Pumping one feed to give mum some rest
Local breastfeeding support group
What are the key post-partum nutrients for mum?
Protein Fe Zn Mg B vits C D EPA/DHA Probiotic foods
Why is protein important post-partum?
Replenish reserves
Breast milk production
How much extra protein a day should mum ideally get?
11g
Why is Fe important to mum post-partum?
Increase blood volume
Reduced Fe = fatigue, altered cognition
Why is Zn important to mum post-partum?
Needed for production of ovarian hormones
Reduced Zn can lead to PPD
Why are B vits important to mum post-partum?
ATP production
B2 = PPD protection
B9 = depleted with lactation
B12 = cofactor for DNA production, myelination
Why is EPA/DHA important for mum post-partum?
Risk of losing DHA from brain tissue as it’s passed to foetus/breastfed infant
Why is Mg important for mum post-partum?
ATP production
Absorbed by foetus and infant during lactation
Low levels can contribute to PPD
Why is vit D important to mum post-partum?
Diet and lifestyle changes during pregnancy can lead to reduced levels
Has a role in commensal bacterial colonisation
Reduces risk of PPD
Why are probiotic foods important to mum post-partum?
The beneficial bacteria can be passed to infant during breastfeeding
Which energetic is pregnancy leaning towards?
Moist
What signs do women feel during pregnancy, that are all signs of excess moisture?
Hunger
Emotion
Lethargy
Congestion
What sort of foods should pregnant women focus on (energetically)?
Wholegrains
Legumes
Lighter, drier, crunchier foods
Warming foods/drinks to counterbalance moisture
What is a newborn energetically?
Moist/damp
Why is nutrition important during lactation?
Requirements are higher
Severe energy restriction may hinder milk production
(not the time to diet!)
What’s the best way to eat and stay hydrated during lactation?
Don’t skip meals
Eat to satisfaction
Drink to thirst
Avoid cold food and drinks
Why is it important not to skip meals during lactation?
Triggers stress response which can affect milk production
cortisol release
Why is it important to eat to satisfaction during lactation?
Oxytocin triggers the milk ejection reflex and more enzymatic activity in intestines
Why is it important not to under/over drink during lactation?
Constant thirst can be a symptom of EFA deficiency
Over-drinking may affect milk supply
What foods should be eaten during lactation?
Whole, fresh, organic produce
Well cooked, neutral foods
Probiotic foods - sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir
Prebiotic foods - onions, garlic, dandelion greens
Sources of EPA/DHA
What foods should be avoided during lactation?
Salted foods Sweetened foods Sugary drinks Cow's dairy Microwaved foods Caffeine (and other stimulants) Alcohol
Why should caffeine and other stimulants be avoided during lactation?
Can enter breast milk and make infant irritable and wakeful
Large doses interferes with bioavailability of iron
Why should alcohol be avoided during lactation?
Changes taste of breast milk Suppresses feeding Causes sleepiness Inhibits oxytocin (inhibits lactation) Affects ability for mum to look after baby
Why should smoking be avoided during lactation?
Reduces milk volume
Nicotine alters smell and flavour of breast milk
May slow weight gain of infant
Higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome
Examples of drugs contraindicated during breast feeding
Aspirin
Codeine
Decongestants
Why are illicit drugs harmful during lactation?
Cause irritability, tremors, hallucinations
Impact mum’s ability to care for infant
What can be taken by mum if milk production is low?
Fenugreek tea
Fennel tea
What is the best way to increase milk supply?
Feed more
What can lower milk supply?
Stress
What can mum drink if stressed?
Chamomile tea
Lemon balm tea
In hot weather or when baby has a temperature, what can baby have?
Filtered water
What can you do when breast milk doesn’t agree with baby?
Exclude common allergy offenders from diet - cow’s milk, eggs, fish, peanuts
Go for a leisurely walk in natural surroundings
Include a daily relaxation practice
Why is formula milk not the best?
Highly refined
Refined sugar/vegetable oils
Lacks key substances for development/growth
No antibodies for immune protection
Heavy metals and other toxins have been found
Synthetic additives
Damaged proteins from heating
What is weaning?
The process of starting to introduce solid foods
When is a baby ready to wean?
Sitting upright
Taking an interest in parents’ food
Putting food in their mouth
When’s the earliest you should start weaning?
6 months
Why should you wait 6 months to start weaning?
GI tract and immune system matured enough to be more likely to tolerate new foods
What are the possible implications of weaning too early or too late?
Increased risk of developing allergies
How should you wean?
Introduce single ingredient foods with 3-4 day intervals to observe any food reactions
Restrict allergenic foods (eggs, nuts, fish) closer to 12 months
Probiotics to strengthen immune system
What feeding skill should baby have around 6 months?
Ability to swallow non-liquid foods