Life Cycle Infants

Life Cycle

Infants

I Infant feeding
A. first milk: colostrum
1. 2-3 days
2. high antibodies and white blood cells
B. breast milk
1. lactalbumin – easily digested protein
2. correct proportions of vitamins and minerals
3. calcium is well absorbed
4. high bioavailability of iron and zinc
5. lower in fat, higher in carbs
6. some colostrum still included in small amounts
C. Benefits of breastfeeding
1. for infants
a. appropriate composition and balance of nutrients with high bioavailability
b. hormones that provide physiological development (colostrum still present in small amounts)
c. improves cognitive development
d. protects against infections
e. may protect against some chronic diseases
f. protects against food allergies
2. for mothers
a. contracts the uterus
b. delays the return of ovulation, thus lengthening birth intervals
c. conserves iron stores because no ovulation/menstruation
d. may protects against breast and ovarian cancer
e. weight loss, the act of nursing burns 500 calories a day
3. other benefits
a. cost savings
b. environmental savings
c. do not have to purchase or prepare formula
II Fetal alcohol syndrome
A. symptoms
1. prenatal and postnatal growth retardation
2. impairment of brain and central nervous system
3. abnormalities of face and skull and birth defects