Intro to infant feeding Flashcards
(70 cards)
what makes up the Breast?
nipple
areola
mammary tissue
supporting connective tissue
fat
blood
lymphatics
nerves
what is the function of the fatty tissue?
protects the breasts
what is the function of the fatty tissue being divided into lobes by connective tissue?
to protect it from harmful infections
what is the function of the nerve supply to the breast?
creates sensitivity for the milk ejection reflex
how many lobes are in the breast?
20
what do the lobes of the breast contain?
alveoli
what is contained within the alveoli?
milk producing cells - lactocytes
what are the milk producing cells?
lactolytes
what surrounds the alveoli?
myoepithelial cells (smooth muscle)
what does oxytocin do?
stimulates the myoepithelial cells to contract, pushing the milk into the lactiferous ducts and towards the nipple
how many openings does the nipple have?
on average 9
what surrounds the openings of the nipples?
areola
what are Montgomery tubercles?
glands which secrete a sebaceous fluid that lubricates the nipple and protects the skin. the fluid has an individual aroma that attracts the infant to his mother
what stimulates the release of milk?
contraction of the myoepithelial cells pushed milk out from the alveoli into the lactiferous ducts
what breast development occurs during puberty?
hormones such as oestrogen prompt mammogenesis through development of the ductal system within the breasts as they increase to adult size.
what breast development occurs during pregnancy?
Other hormones, such as progesterone and human placental lactogen, enhance the structures that will produce milk for the infant. Blood supply to the breast increases to provide nutrients from which milk will be made.
what effect does suckling have?
sends a powerful stimulus to the hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary which secretes oxytocin
whet effect does oxytocin have?
contracts the smooth muscle which releases the milk
what effect does suckling have on the anterior pituitary gland?
release of prolactin
what effect does prolactin have?
stimulates the lactocytes to produce milk for the next feed
what physiological effects does oxytocin and prolactin have on the mother and baby?
Working together, they produce feelings of calmness in both and they help the mother fall in love with her infant and want to hold, stroke and protect him/her. Keeping her infant close makes breastfeeding easier because it keeps the level of oxytocin in the mother’s bloodstream higher and the oxytocin reflex becomes conditioned over time, so that it becomes easier to ‘think it up’.
what is the protein component of breast milk?
Predominantly whey-based (60-80%) and easy to digest. The main protein is Alpha lactalbumin (20%) and is associated with the destruction of over 40 types of cancer cells.
what is the protein component of formula?
Cows’ milk protein (bovine serum albumen) has been linked to an increased risk of juvenile onset diabetes.
what is the carbohydrate component of breast milk?
lactate is the primary carbohydrate and provides around 40% of the total calories. It improves the absorption of calcium and promotes growth of healthy bacteria