Lactation Specialist Nutrition for Lactating Mothers & Infants Flashcards

Which mineral's concentration in breast milk is NOT significantly influenced by maternal dietary intake?

Answer: Calcium

Calcium in breast milk is tightly regulated by hormonal mechanisms and remains constant regardless of maternal intake; maternal bone is resorbed if dietary calcium is insufficient.

An exclusively breastfed infant at 4 months is found to have rickets on X-ray. What is the most likely nutritional cause?

Answer: Vitamin D deficiency due to low breast milk vitamin D content and insufficient sunlight exposure

Breast milk is naturally low in vitamin D, and without supplementation or adequate sun exposure, exclusively breastfed infants are at significant risk for vitamin D deficiency rickets.

What is the primary role of lactoferrin in human breast milk?

Answer: Acting as an iron-binding protein with antimicrobial properties

Lactoferrin binds iron, limiting its availability to pathogens, and has direct antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, contributing to the infant's immune protection.

A lactating mother on a strict vegan diet is breastfeeding her 5-month-old. Which supplement is most critical to recommend for the infant?

Answer: Vitamin B12

If the vegan mother is not supplementing with B12, her milk will have very low B12 content, putting the infant at risk for severe neurological deficits from B12 deficiency.

Which of the following herbal substances is considered potentially unsafe during breastfeeding due to evidence of toxicity or milk reduction?

Answer: Sage in large medicinal doses

Sage contains thujone and has been traditionally used to wean or reduce milk supply; large medicinal doses can decrease milk production and may have other adverse effects.

What is the best dietary source of choline, a nutrient important for infant brain development that is found in human milk?

Answer: Eggs, especially the yolk

Egg yolks are among the richest dietary sources of choline, which is essential for infant neurodevelopment and is transferred to breast milk reflecting maternal intake.

Which condition in a lactating mother would most likely lead to decreased long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) in her breast milk?

Answer: Low dietary intake of fatty fish and omega-3 rich oils

LC-PUFA content in breast milk, including DHA and AA, is directly influenced by maternal diet; low intake of fatty fish and omega-3 sources results in lower milk LC-PUFA concentrations.