Pregnancy lactation and infant feeding

Question 1

Why is breast milk so beneficial?

Answer 1

All the nutrients that an infant needs in the first 6 months,

Fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water .

It is easily digested and efficiently used.

Contains bioactive factors that augment the infant’s immature immune system.

Protection against infection, and help digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Question 2

How much fat does breast milk contain per 100ml

Answer 2

3.5 g of fat

Provides about one half of the energy content of the milk.

Question 3

When do you see the hindmilk secreted?

Answer 3

Towards the end of a feed

Question 4

What is the difference between the fat in the foremilk and hindmilk?

Answer 4

HINDMILK - rich in fat and looks creamy white,

FOREMILK - less fat and looks somewhat bluish-grey in colour.

Question 5

What long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids does breast milk contain?

Answer 5

• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

- Arachidonic acid (ARA)

Question 6

The main carbohydrate is the special milk sugar lactose called _________

Answer 6

Disaccharide

Question 7

How much lactose per 100ml does breast milk contain?

Answer 7

7g

Which is more than in most other milks, and is another important source of energy.

Question 8

Another kind of carbohydrate present in breast milk is oligosaccharides….why is this beneficial?

Answer 8

Important protection against infection

Question 9

Is breast milk protein the same quality and quantity as animal milk?

True or False?

Answer 9

False

It contains a balance of amino acids which makes it much more suitable for a baby.

Question 10

What is the concentration of protein in breast milk ?

Answer 10

0.9 g per 100 ml

This is lower than in animal milks. The much higher protein in animal milks can overload the infant’s immature kidneys with waste nitrogen products.

Question 11

What is the difference in the protein casein in breastmilk to formula?

Answer 11

Casein in breast milk has a different molecular structure. It forms much softer, more easily-digested curds than that in other milks.

Question 12

Human milk contains more alpha-lactalbumin; cow milk contains betalactoglobulin

True or False

Answer 12

True

Human milk contains more alpha-lactalbumin; cow milk contains betalactoglobulin, which is absent from human milk and to which infants can become intolerant

Question 13

What has been shown to improve iron status for babies during the first 6 months?

Answer 13

Delaying clamping of the cord until pulsations have stopped (approximately 3 minutes)

Question 14

What supplement do babies need?

Answer 14

Vitamin D. The infant needs exposure to sunlight to generate endogenous vitamin D – or, if this is not possible, a supplement.

Question 15

What does K immunoglobulin do?

Answer 15

Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), which coats the intestinal mucosa and prevents bacteria from entering the cells

Question 16

What do K white blood cells do?

Answer 16

Kill micro-organisms

Question 17

What bacteria can K whey proteins (lysozyme and lactoferrin) kill?

Answer 17

Viruses and fungi

Question 18

K oligosacccharides prevent bacteria from attaching to mucosal surfaces.

True or False

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Bile-salt stimulated lipase facilitates the complete digestion of fat once the milk has reached the small intestine. Fat in artificial milks is also completely digested

True or False?

Answer 19

False

Fat in artificial milks is less completely digested

Question 20

When do you see colostrum?

Answer 20

2-3 days after delivery

Question 21

How much colostrum is produced on the first day?

Answer 21

40-50ml

Question 22

What is colostrum rich in?

Answer 22

white cells, antibodies, especially sIgA

It contains a larger percentage of protein, minerals and fat-soluble vitamins (A, E and K) than later milk.

Question 23

What makes the colostrum yellow?

Answer 23

Vitamin A

Important for protection of the eye and for the integrity of epithelial surfaces.

Question 24

When is milk produced in larger amounts?

Answer 24

Between 2 and 4 days after delivery, making the breasts feel full

Question 25

On the 3rd day how much milk is the baby taking?

Answer 25

About 300–400 ml per 24 hours

Question 26

On the 5th day how much milk is the baby taking?

Answer 26

500–800 ml

Question 27

When is the milk called ‘transitional’?

Answer 27

Day 7 to 14

Question 28

When is milk called ‘mature’

Answer 28

2 weeks

Question 29

What is the breast structured of?

Answer 29

• Nipple
• Areola
• Mammary tissue
• Supporting connective tissue
• Fat
• Blood
• Lymphatic vessels,
• Nerves

Question 30

The mammary tissue – This tissue includes the alveoli, which are small sacs made of milk-secreting cells, and the ducts that carry the milk to the outside. Between feeds, milk collects in the __________________
(Finish the sentence)

Answer 30

…..Lumen of the alveoli and ducts

Question 31

What is the alveoli surrounded by?

Answer 31

A basket of myoepithelial, or muscle cells

these contract and make the milk flow along the ducts. Nipple and areola

Question 32

How many ducts does an average nipple have?

Answer 32

9

Question 33

What 2 hormones are directly affected by breastfeeding?

Answer 33

Prolactin and oxytocin

Question 34

When a baby suckles at the breast, sensory impulses pass from the ___________________

(Finish the sentence)

Answer 34

Nipple to the brain