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