Unit 3: Nutrition in Lifecycle

Breastfeeding
 Introduction

• Breast-milk is the ideal food for infants.

• No other food is required by the baby until 6

months after birth.
• With the adequate supply of breast-milk, most
of the nutritional requirements of the newborn
are fulfilled except for iron and Vit D.
 Introduction

• A regularly breastfed child has a greater chance

of survival than those artificially fed children.
• The data suggests that IMR in developing
countries are 5-10 times higher among children
who have not breastfed or who have breastfed
for less than 6 months.
Anatomy of breast
Physiology of lactation

/Let down reflex

Physiology of lactation
Physiology of lactation
Reflexes of newborns related to lactation

1. Rooting reflex
2. Sucking reflex
3. Swallowing reflex
 Composition of breast milk

• The composition of breast milk varies at

different stages after birth.

1. Colostrum:
- Secreted during the first 3 days after delivery.
- Thick, yellowish

- Contains antibodies, Vit A, D, E and K

 Composition of breast milk

2. Transitional milk:
- Secreted during the following two weeks

- The immunoglobulin and protein content

decreases while fat and sugar content increases
 Composition of breast milk

3. Mature milk:
- It is thinner and watery

- Contains all the nutrients essential for optimal

growth of the baby
 Composition of breast milk

Mature milk is of 2 types:

a. Fore- milk:
- Secreted at the start of each feed
- It is watery and rich in protein, sugars, vitamins,
minerals and water that satisfies the baby’s thirst.
 Composition of breast milk

b. Hind milk
- It comes later towards the end of feed.

- It is richer in fat and provides energy and

satisfies baby’s hunger.
 Exclusive breastfeeding

• It is defined as “no other food or drink, not

even water, except breast milk for 6 months of
life, but allows the infant to receive ORS,
drops and syrups (vitamins, minerals and
medicines) if indicated. The average duration
of EBF is 6 months.
Advantages of breast feeding for baby

1. Physiological advantages
- Better digestibility
- Lower solute load on the kidneys especially in
case of pre-term babies
- Amino acids: more cystine and taurine
- Higher content of PUFA especially linoleic acid
and alpha linolenic acid which promoted brain
growth and protects from artherosclerosis in the
later life
Advantages of breast feeding for baby

Contd...
- Active lipase: promoted fat digestion and
calcium absorption
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic
acid (ARA): neurological development
- Sugar content (lactose) if 1.5 times higher than
in cow’s milk
- Active lactase: digestion of lactose
Advantages of breast feeding for baby

• Better absorption of iron from breast milk

• More amount of vitamins
• Low pH of stool: inhibits bacterial growth in
the gut
• Adequate water thus no extra water needed
• Sucking helps in the development of jaw and
teeth
• Available at appropriate temperature.
Advantages of breast feeding for baby

2. Immunologic advantage
- Antibodies against polio, mumps and measles
- IgA coats the mucosal lining
- Presence of lymphocytes and macrophages and
enzymes
- Aminopolysaccharides stimulates the
development of intestinal flora i.e. Lactobacilli
which inhibits the growth of pathogenic enteric
organisms.
Advantages of breast feeding for baby

Contd...
- Lactoferrin inhibits growth of E. Coli
- Breastfed babies less likely to suffer from
allergies in later life
- Anti-streptococcal factor protects against
streptococcal infection
- PABA- Para Amino Benzoic Acid protects
against malaria
- Oligosaccharides prevent bacterial attachment to
the mucosa
 Advantages of breast feeding
3. Hygienic advantages
Advantages of breast feeding for mother

1. Emotional advantages
2. Economic advantages
3. Time saving
4. Benefits for mother: lowers the risk of
ovarian and breast cancer, prevents post
partum haemorrhage, birth spacing
 Breast milk versus cow’s milk
Constituent Mature milk Cow’s milk
Water 89.7gm 90.2gm
Energy 66-75Kcal 65-67Kcal
Protein 1.07gm 3.4gm
Fat 4.2gm 3.9gm
Lactose 7.4gm 4.8gm
Vit A
- Retinol 60 mcg 31 mcg
- β carotene 00 mcg 19 mcg
 Breast milk versus cow’s milk
Constituent Mature milk Cow’s milk
Vitamin D 0.01 mcg 0.03mcg
Vitamin C 3.8mg 1.5mg
Calcium 35 mg 124 mg
Zinc 295 mcg 361 mcg
Iron 0.08 mg 0.05 mg
Phosphorus 15 mg 97 mg
Important points about breast feeding

• Initiate as soon as possible. Within one hour

after normal delivery and within 4 hours in
caesarean section.
• Exclusive breast feeding
• Demand feeding
• Colostrum
• Nursing time not more than 15 mins
• Mother free from stress
Important points about breast feeding

Contd...
• Maternal diet
• Regularity of breast feeding and complete
emptying of one breast
• Complementary feeding
• Motivate and educate mother and family
regarding infant and young child feeding