Lifestage requirements and population groups Flashcards
Name 3 benefits of breastfeeding for infants
- Provides the perfect balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat
- Contains bifidobacteria and prebiotic oligosaccharides to help colonise the digestive tract and the immune system
- Reduces risk of atopic conditions and food allergies
Name 3 benefits of breastfeeding for the mother
- Delays ovulation (prevents births too close together and conserves iron)
- Protection against breast and ovarian cancer
- Aids post pregnancy weight loss (increased energy expenditure)
- Supports bonding (oxytocin release)
- It’s cheap and convenient
What are the roles of enzymes in breast milk?
Digestion of macronutrients
Transport for nutrients
What is colostrum?
A pre-milk substance containing mostly serum with antibodies (Secretory IgA) and white blood cells
Name 3 benefits of colostrum
- Protects infant from infections from which the mother has immunity
- Antibodies in colostrum inactivate pathogenic bacteria in the infant’s digestive tract
- Has a laxative effect to expel wastes that accumulated in the digestive tract during foetal development
- High in vitamin A and Zinc
Lactadherin (an iron binding protein in breastmilk is instrumental in fighting which virus common in babies?
Rotavirus
Why do breastfed babies have lower incidence of CV disease?
Oxytocin release which causes vasodilation
Which minerals are present in breast milk?
Calcium
Zinc
Iron (small amounts but higher bioavailability)
Name 5 key postpartum nutrients and explain why they are important
Protein-Needed for breast milk production
Iron- Aneamia common in pregnancy
Zinc-Ovarian hormones. Low zinc can contribute to PPD
B Vits- ATP production
B2 PPD
Folate-depelted with lactation
b12 depleted by nitrous oxide in labour
Magnesium- ATP, absorbed by foetus in lactation. Low levels=PPD
Vitamin C-collagen production, aids in wound healing post-partem
increases absorption of iron, synthesis of thyroxine and adrenal steroid hormones
Name 3 foods good to cosume during lactation
- Sweet potato
- Probiotic foods
- Prebiotic foods (asparagus, jerusalem artichokes
- EPA and DHA
Name 3 reasons to avoid alcohol whilst breastfeeding
- It easily enters breastmilk and significantly diminishes the amount of breastmilk consumed by the infant
- Alcohol not metabolised by the infant, causing sleepiness
- Inhibits oxytocin which interferes with lactation
What is the effect of smoking on breastfeeding?
Reduces milk volume
Nicotine alters the smell and flavour of the milk
Infants are at higher risk of sudden infant death
Name 2 galactagogues
Fennel
Fenugreek
Name 3 ways to increase breast milk production
- Galactagogues (fennel and fenugreek tea)
- Feed more often (supply and demand)
- Manage stress
Name 3 issues with infant formula
- It is the ultimate processed food, it is comprised of refined oils, sugar, dried skimmed milk and synthetic nutrients
- High levels of heavy metals have been found
- Heat damages the protein in formula leading to the formation of glycation end products (a biomarker in the development of many degenerative diseases)