Breastfeeding

Question 1

What are the primary components of human breast milk?

Answer 1

: Water (90%), Fat (4%), Protein (1%), Lactose (7%), plus immunological components like antibodies, vitamins, and minerals.

Question 2

What hormones are involved in milk production and release?

Answer 2

Prolactin (produces milk for the next feed) and Oxytocin (enables milk flow for the current feed).

Question 3

What triggers the “let-down” reflex?

Answer 3

Initially, baby suckling; later, thoughts, touch, or sounds associated with the baby.

Question 4

What happens during the first feed post-birth?

Answer 4

Baby’s eyes open in 6 minutes, rooting starts by 20 minutes, and suckling begins after 80 minutes, lasting about 20 minutes.

Question 5

What is colostrum, and how does it differ from mature milk?

Answer 5

Colostrum is produced during the first 3-4 days with high immune factors. Mature milk has lower antibodies but increased volume, including foremilk and hindmilk.

Question 6

Why is breast milk considered nutritionally superior to formula?

Answer 6

It provides unmatched immunological protection, adapts to the baby’s needs, and aids in digestive health.

Question 7

How does breast milk protect an infant’s gut?

Answer 7

It coats the gut, protects against diseases, and supports the development of healthy gut flora.

Question 8

What is the breastfeeding rate in the UK at six months?

Answer 8

1% exclusively breastfed, despite WHO recommendations for 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding.

Question 9

How does breastfeeding reduce obesity risk in children?

Answer 9

Promotes self-regulation of feeding, different hormonal responses, and slower weight gain compared to formula feeding.

Question 10

How does breastfeeding influence taste preferences?

Answer 10

Exposure to flavors in breast milk can increase acceptance of those flavors later in life, promoting dietary variety.

Question 11

How do societal and cultural factors impact breastfeeding rates?

Answer 11

Education, SES, age, and cultural norms (e.g., son preference) significantly influence breastfeeding initiation and continuation.

Question 12

What are the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers?

Answer 12

Reduced risk of osteoporosis, type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, breast, and ovarian cancers.

Question 13

How does breastfeeding influence cognitive outcomes in children?

Answer 13

Breastfed children score higher on cognitive tests due to essential nutrients and bioactive compounds in breast milk.

Question 14

What is the relationship between breastfeeding and post-natal depression?

Answer 14

Prolonged breastfeeding is associated with lower risks of post-natal depression, possibly due to hormonal and emotional benefits.

Question 15

What did Jost et al. (2013) find about gut bacteria in breastfed infants?

Answer 15

Good bacteria may be transferred from the mother’s gut to the infant via breast milk.

Question 16

What did Ustun et al. (2022) discover about fetal taste development?

Answer 16

Taste buds develop around 8 weeks gestation, and by 24 weeks, fetuses can detect olfactory molecules in amniotic fluid.

Question 17

What did Mennella and Beauchamp (1991) find about garlic in breast milk?

Answer 17

Babies consumed more milk when it was flavored with garlic, but this effect was short-lived.

Question 18

What did Mennella and Beauchamp (1991) find about garlic in breast milk?

Answer 18

Babies consumed more milk when it was flavored with garlic, but this effect was short-lived.

Question 19

What did WHO (2019) find about the link between breastfeeding and obesity?

Answer 19

Breastfeeding can reduce a child’s obesity risk by 25% due to better feeding regulation and lower fat deposition.

Question 20

What did Li et al. (2012) find about bottle feeding and weight gain?

Answer 20

Bottle feeding, regardless of milk type, is associated with higher weight gain and less ability to regulate milk intake.

Question 21

What did Anderson et al. (1999) conclude in their meta-analysis on breastfeeding?

Answer 21

Breastfeeding is associated with significantly higher cognitive scores compared to formula feeding.

Question 22

What did Mennella et al. (1999) discover about carrot juice exposure in infants?

Answer 22

Infants exposed to carrot flavors in breast milk showed greater acceptance of carrot-flavored foods later.

Question 23

What did McCrory & Layte (2012) find about breastfeeding duration and obesity?

Answer 23

Exclusive breastfeeding for 13-25 weeks reduces obesity risk by 38%, and 26+ weeks reduces it by 51%.

Question 24

What did Stuebe et al. (2005) find about breastfeeding and type II diabetes?

Answer 24

Mothers who never breastfed had 1.7x higher chances of developing type II diabetes compared to those who breastfed for over 2 years.

Question 25

What did Schwarz et al. (2009) conclude?

Breastfeeding

Answer 25

Mothers who never breastfed had a 10-20% greater risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those who breastfed for 13-24 months.

Question 26

What did Ptacek & Kuzevola (2013) find about breastfeeding duration and ADHD?

Answer 26

ADHD children were breastfed for an average of 2.5 months compared to 7.8 months for non-ADHD children.

Question 27

What did Labbok (2001) find about post-natal depression rates in different cultures?

Answer 27

Countries where exclusive breastfeeding is the norm see PND peak at 9 months, while in formula-feeding cultures, it peaks at 3 months.

Question 28

What did Hauck et al. (2007, 2011) find about breastfeeding and SIDS?

Answer 28

Infants breastfed for at least two months had a significantly lower risk of SIDS than those who were never breastfed.

Question 29

What did Cumming & Klineberg (1993) find about osteoporosis and breastfeeding?

Answer 29

Breastfeeding strengthens bones and reduces the risk of hip fractures later in life.

Question 30

Breastfeeding and Cancer Risk
Q: What did Bernier et al. (2000) conclude about breastfeeding and cancer?

Answer 30

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers due to suppressed ovulation and lower estrogen levels.