Newborn Nutrition & Feeding Flashcards
What is breastmilk made up of?
- immune factors
- growth factors
- proteins
- digestive enzymes
- fats
- carbohydrates
- vitamins (A, B complex, C, D, E, K)
- minerals
- 87% water
What are some benefits of breastfeeding for the infant?
- easily digested and absorbed
- laxative effect
- transfer of antibodies and immune factors
- enhanced maturation of GI tract
- neurodevelopmental advantage
- analgesic effect
- better facial, oral and speech development (through act of breastfeeding)
What are some risks of not breastfeeding?
- GI or respiratory tract infections
- reduced immune protection
- high cholesterol (atherosclerosis later)
- celiac disease
- crohn’s disease
- obesity
- type 1 and 2 diabetes
- lower cognitive functioning
etc.
How does breastfeeding benefit the birth parent?
- decreased risk of cancer (ovarian, uterine, breast), RA, type 2 DM, hypertension
- convenient and less expensive
- promotes uterine involution and return to pre-pregnancy weight
- bonding, foster attachment
What are some options for families with transgender parent, adoption or surrogacy?
- chest feeding
- tube feeding
- induced lactation
- donor milk
Contraindications to breastfeeding?
- chemotherapy
- active TB or varicella
- HIV
- herpes lesions on breast
- substance abuse
- select medications
Galactosemia
very rare condition in which infant is unable to have breastmilk
What are the recommendations on breastfeeding?
- exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months
- introduce complementary foods at 6 months
- Continue for up to 2 years and beyond
- On demand
- Baby led
What is the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)?
Launched by WHO and UNICEF in 1991 to promote, protect and support breastfeeding
- remove barriers
- provide training to health care workers
- promote an international standard
Explain BFHI’s baby friendly designation
- free or low cost substitutes not accepted
- feeding bottles and teats not accepted
- successful implementation of the 10 steps
10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
- Written BF policy for staff
- Train staff in skills
- Inform clients about benefits and management
- Help clients initiate BF within half an hour of birth
- Show clients how to BF and maintain lactation
- Give breastmilk only, unless medically indicated
- Practice “rooming in”
- Encourage BF on demand
- Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples
- BF support groups after discharge
Lactogenesis
Synthesis of breast milk occurs in 3 stages:
- Lactogenesis I - Differentiation
- Lactogenesis II - Activation
- Lactogenesis III - Maintenance
Lactogenesis I - Differentiation
Prolactin stimulates cell differentiation so that breast will be able to produce milk
- occurs mid pregnancy
- progesterone inhibits the onset of copious milk secretion
Colostrum
- available at birth up to 2-3 days postpartum
- thick, clear to yellowish
- lower in fat and sugar than mature milk
- high in protein and minerals
- contains IgA
Lactogenesis II - Activation
Transition from colostrum to mature milk
- caused by changes in hormones after birth of placenta
- decrease in progesterone, estrogen and placental lactogen
- increase in oxytocin and prolactin
Transitional Milk
- 2-5 days to 2 weeks postpartum
- less yellow
- dramatic increase in volume
- higher fat, lactose and calories
- less protein
Lactogenesis III - Maintenance
Establishment of mature milk
- supply and demand: effective removal of milk
- whiter, thinner than transitional milk
Mature Milk
Fore milk (watery) + Hind milk (creamier) gradient
*important that infant gets both - keep baby on one side under hind milk comes in
Fore milk
bluish-white
low fat
high water content
Hind milk
creamy
high fat and calories
satisfies hunger and promotes weight gain
(stools have seedy appearance)
Stimulating Milk Production
Suckling on the breast causes hormones to be released:
- prolactin (anterior pituitary) –> alveoli in breast to make milk
- Oxytocin (posterior pituitary) –> contract muscle cells around alveoli and caused “let down” of milk into ducts
Positioning of successful latch
- the baby uses the tongue and lower jaw to milk the breast
- areola is covered
- tip of nipple should be at the back of baby’s mouth
- baby’s tongue is over gum line
What factors stimulate milk production?
- baby cry
- thinking about baby
- preparing to breastfeed
- being the usual time the baby feeds
What factors inhibit milk production?
- fear
- pain
- embarrassment
- anxiety
- breast surgery