Milk Composition

Question 1

What is colostrum? What consistency/colour?

Answer 1

Colostrum is the first milk product to be produced, and starts to be produced in pregnancy and up to a few days post-birth. Yellow/Orange thick fluid rich in antibodies, vitamins and minerals.

Question 2

What is transitional milk and what are its contents?

Answer 2

Transitional milk is the onset of Lactogenesis 2, produced after colostrum for the first few weeks- a whiter consistency filled with higher caloric content such as fat and lactose.

Question 3

What does transitional milk have less of?

Answer 3

immunoglobins

Question 4

What is mature milk and its composition?

Answer 4

Lactogenesis 3 milk- lasts until end of lactation. Contents change due to foremilk and hindmilk having different compositions due to the higher quantity of milk produced at one time.

Question 5

When is foremilk let down and what is it composed of?

Answer 5

At beginning of a feed- high in protein, lactose and water

Question 6

When is hindmilk let down and what is it composed of?

Answer 6

As feed progresses – fat level gradually increases and milk volume decreases

Question 7

What is the composition percentages for energy and growth of foremilk and hindmilk?

Answer 7

10% solids for energy and growth, 90% water for hydration.

Question 8

What six factors influence milk composition?

Answer 8

Stage of lactation
Gestational age of baby
Stage of the feed
Time of the day
Pathogens mother or baby have been exposed to
Dietary variations

Question 9

Does maternal diet influence milk volume?

Answer 9

No- unless severely malnorished

Question 10

When is fat content in milk lowest?

Answer 10

In the morning

Question 11

When is fat content the highest?

Answer 11

In the arvo

Question 12

Does the type of fats in diet affect composition of fatty acids in milk?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

What is a major carbohydrate in breast milk and its %?

Answer 13

Lactose- 7%

Question 14

What is the role of lactose in breastmilk diet?

Answer 14

Quickly broken down into glucose to provide energy and enhances calcium absorption

Question 15

What is the role of Enzyme lactase?

Answer 15

is necessary to convert lactose to simple sugars.

Question 16

What is Galactosaemia?

Answer 16

is a rare genetic metabolic disorder that affects an individual’s ability to metabolize the sugar galactose properly. Lactose free diet is needed.

Question 17

What is Human Milk Oligosaccharides purpose?

Answer 17

are an important sugar – (around 1-2%) not digested by baby – food for beneficial microbes in the babies gut – they feed the seed system

Question 18

What can unmodified cows milk cause in babies under one?

Answer 18

Unmodified cow’s milk causes renal solute load and microscopic bleeding into gut wall.

Question 19

What two proteins are in breast milk and their %?

Answer 19

Approx 40% casein and 60% whey proteins – form soft curds in stomach – providing continuous flow of nutrients to baby

Question 20

What vitamins are present in breastmilk?

Answer 20

A D E K are present

Question 21

What vitamin is rich in colostrum?

Answer 21

Vitamin E

Question 22

What vitamin is colostrum and breastmilk low in?

Answer 22

Colostrum and breastmilk is low in Vitamin K

Question 23

What water soluble vitamins are influenced by maternal diet?

Answer 23

Ascorbic acid, riboflavin, B12 and pyridoxine (B6).

Question 24

Absorption in gut of neonate depends on the availability of what?

Answer 24

fats and vitamin D