infant feeding Flashcards
trend in breastfeeding rates up to 6mths in UK
marked drop off despite WHO recommendation of exclusive BF for 6mths and then alongside complimentary feeds for up to 2yrs
constituents of human milk
cytokines IL-7 enzymes milk lipids oligosaccharides lactoferrin leukocytes immunoglobulins stem cells lymphocytes growth factors vits and minerals fats carbohydrates proteins water
formula milk constituents
vits and minerals fats carbohydrates protein water
main difference between breast milk and formula
basic nutritional consituents vary
breastmilk contains many more live constituents that promote health
breast milk vs formula - water
water used to make formual can easily become contaminated - climate issues, over use of cleaning products or fluorine
breast milk doesn’t have this issue
breast milk vs formula - protein
breast milk - more whey based (60-80%) and easier to digest, main protein (alpha lactalbumin, make up >20% of total protein) has been associated with the destruction of over 40 types of cancer cells
formula - cows milk protein, associated with increased risk of baby developing juvenile onset diabetes
breast milk vs formula - carbohydrates
breast milk - lactose is 1y carb, provides ~40% of total calories
formula - lactose is also more prevalent in UK formula; may also see sucrose, fructose and glucose in soya/lactose free formula
breast milk vs formula - fats
breast milk - long chain polyuns. FAs support the development of the entire NS (incl. retinol development - improved eyesight)
formula - fats change depending on the market; currently they are mainly vegetable (rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, algal oil), some contain egg or fish oil
why are fats required in infants
essential for brain development and absorption of fat soluble vitamins, and are a major calorie source
breast milk vs formula - vitamins and minerals
formula - extra vits and minerals and added to the powder to ensure they are sustained for the entire shelf life so amounts vary
why are vitamins and minerals important
healing wounds
supporting bone growth
immune system
etc
examples of growth factors present in breast milk
epidermal, insulin and transforming factors which promote gut growth
when is epidermal GF higher
mothers who have preterm babies
linked to a reduction in necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and other inflammatory repsonses
what role do growth factors play in early life
role in early life programming
may be associated with a reduced risk of obesity and cancer in later life
what is the role of transfer factors
enable effective absorption of nutrients in the milk e.g. lactoferrin
also help with absorption of fats and vitamins
role of lactoferrin
assists with absorption of iron - reduces amount of free iron which attracts batceria
also bactericidal - kills E coli
what is the role of stem cells in breast milk
have the ability to develop into many different cell types
evidence that these cells remain in the system long after BF has stopped
immunoglobulins in breast milk
IgA, IgG, IgM, IgD
IgA - provides protective coating to baby’s gut - prevents entry of pathogenic bacteria and enteroviruses (E. Coli, salmonella, streptococci, staph, pnuemococci, rotavirus etc) - protects against gastroenteritis, resp infections etc
role of leukocytes in breast milk
destroy harmful bacteria
macrophages - produces lysozyme which disrupts bacterial cell wall
oligosaccharides in breast milk
> 200 types of simple carbs in breast milk
influence the development of the microflora by increasing number of beneficial bacteria in baby’s gut - protects baby against infections e.g. otitis media, resp, urine, GI
encourage some cells in the gut to produce an adhesive protein substance which helps seal the gaps between cells in the gut wall - prevents harmful bacteria and allergens from crossing into the baby’s system
milk lipids in breast milk
damage outer surface of certain virus types
reduce infection rate in baby
enzymes in breast milk
aid digestion and absorption
some destroy bacteria
IL-7 in breast milk
linked to the size of the thymus - breast fed babies have much larger thymus than formula fed babies - stronger immune system
also has a role in stimulating antibody producing cells
plays a part in reducing risk of childhood leukaemia
cytokines in breast milk
important constituent in boosting immune system
special features of colostrum
protective factors concentrated nutrition strong anti-inflamamtory factors stimulates gut growth - helps cells and villi proliferate small volumes - intentional laxative effect
what is the role of the laxative effect of colostrum
to clear meconium
helps minimise jaundice
what is the difference between colostrum and mature breast milk
colostrum is smaller volumes and more concentrated
new born babies would find the XS water in mature breast milk difficult to process (immature kidneys)
healthy term babies don’t become dehydrated - surfeit of interstitial fluid they need to process in the first few days
not breastfeeding increases the risk of what in babies
gastroenteritis resp infections allergies - mixed evidence obesity T1 and 2 DM SIDS NEC
exclusive BF gives best protection but some is greater than none
not breastfeeding increases the risk of what in mothers
breast cancer
ovarian cancer
hip fractures
heart disease
when do babies begin to pick up their microbiome
may recieve exposure to maternal microbes in the womb
lactobacilli more prevalent in the vagina during pregnancy (friendly bacteria)
as they pass through the vagina at birth
vaginal birth, skin to skin and breast feeding
through the mother’s milk in the postnatal period and beyond
what is the role of our gut biome
generate our energy needs
produce enzymes to digest food
manufacture vitamines B, K and nicotinic acid
regulate fat storage
manufacture amino acids
help w/ iron absorption
create our individual immune system and help immune cells reproduce
train our immune system on what is safe and what to reject
benefits of the first breast feed on gut health
live constituents in the milk develop the process of setting up the microbiome w/ high levels of bifidobacteria and oligosaccharides