Lactation Specialist Nutrition for Lactating Mothers & Infants Flashcards

A mother who delivered preterm at 30 weeks is expressing milk for her NICU infant. How does preterm breast milk differ from term breast milk?

Answer: Preterm milk has higher protein, sodium, and immunoglobulin content adapted to the preterm infant's needs

Preterm breast milk is uniquely adapted with higher protein, sodium, lactoferrin, and IgA content to better meet the accelerated nutritional and immune needs of premature infants.

Which of the following best describes the role of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in infant nutrition?

Answer: HMOs act as prebiotics, promoting growth of beneficial gut bacteria and protecting against pathogens

HMOs are complex carbohydrates that function as prebiotics, selectively feeding beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium, and also act as decoys that block pathogen binding in the gut.

A lactating mother asks about the safety of fish consumption. Which fish is recommended to LIMIT due to high mercury content?

Answer: Albacore tuna (canned white tuna)

Albacore (white) canned tuna contains higher mercury levels than light canned tuna and is recommended to be limited to 6 oz/week for lactating women by the FDA and EPA.

What is the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as of its 2022 policy update?

Answer: 6 months exclusive breastfeeding, continuing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond with complementary foods

The 2022 AAP policy recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, then continued breastfeeding with complementary foods for 2 years or as long as mutually desired.

Why is zinc bioavailability significantly higher in human breast milk than in cow's milk or infant formula?

Answer: Human milk contains citrate and other ligands that enhance zinc absorption in the infant gut

Zinc in human milk is bound to citrate and other small molecular weight ligands that facilitate absorption in the infant's immature gut, resulting in superior bioavailability compared to the zinc in cow's milk or formula.

A lactating mother with a BMI of 32 kg/m² asks about weight loss while breastfeeding. What is the most appropriate guidance?

Answer: Gradual weight loss of 0.5 kg/week through moderate caloric restriction and exercise is generally safe and does not affect milk supply

Modest caloric restriction allowing gradual weight loss of about 0.5 kg/week, combined with physical activity, is considered safe during lactation and does not compromise milk volume or infant growth.

Which infant feeding behavior is a reliable sign that a breastfed newborn is receiving adequate nutrition?

Answer: The infant produces 6 or more wet diapers and 3–4 yellow stools per day by day 4–5

Adequate diaper output—at least 6 wet diapers and 3–4 yellow stools per day by days 4–5—is one of the most reliable indicators of sufficient milk intake in a newborn.