Topic Category: nonav

The evidence on the health benefits of breastfeeding is constantly evolving yet consistently demonstrates short- and long-term health benefits for the breastfeeding dyad. While there are many health benefits associated with breastfeeding, not every study examining these benefits should be considered equally. Strength of the Evidence The strength of the evidence depends on the source […]

Question 1 You’re speaking to a breastfeeding parent who is concerned about how their current diet may affect their breastmilk. The parent tells you that their older child has been sick, and they’ve been struggling to balance parenting and their own nutrition the last few days. After asking some questions and offering support, you determine […]

Question 1 Your 32 weeks pregnant patient tells you they’re worried about having enough breastmilk when their baby is born as they have small breasts and didn’t notice many changes during pregnancy. After reviewing the patient’s health history and completing a prenatal breast assessment and finding no abnormalities, you reply: Question 2 You’re caring for […]

Overall, the nutritional quality of breastmilk is highly preserved and day-to-day variations in diet do not significantly affect breastmilk quality or nutrient composition.6 Composition of breastmilk varies between individuals and reflects the their nutrient reserves, diet and environment.17,20,21 Breastfeeding Nutrition The demands of lactation on the individual are met by mobilization of metabolic stores, increased […]

Human breastmilk changes in composition and volume to meet the needs of the infant.1 The length of each breastmilk stage varies between individuals.1 Colostrum Colostrum is a thick, yellowish breastmilk produced during pregnancy (from about 16 weeks) until the first few days after birth.2,3 Colostrum provides the infant with:                                Lower volume (2-20 milliliters per feed) […]

Breastmilk composition is not static or uniform – it changes throughout the lactation cycle and can vary throughout the day or from the beginning to the end of a feed.2 Breastmilk composition and volume adapts to meet the nutritional needs of the infant over time, may help the infant program circadian rhythms, and can provide […]

The infant’s oral anatomical structures are important to effectively transfer milk from the breast. Congenital variations in these anatomical structures, including tethered oral tissues and cleft lip/palate, may negatively affect the infant’s ability to breastfeed and result in the need for extra lactation support. The main structures and functions of the infant’s oral anatomy are […]

Lactogenesis is a process where the body, triggered by pregnancy hormones, develops the ability to produce breastmilk.1 The stages of lactation occur from mid-pregnancy until breastfeeding stops. (Hover over the figure below, right click your mouse and choose ‘open image in new tab’ to review the details.) Mammogenesis The first stage of lactation is mammogenesis […]

The human breast begins developing in utero and continues through puberty, with complete development of some breast structures and functions not occurring until pregnancy and lactation.1 Breastmilk is produced by mammary glands inside the breast. The main structures and functions of the lactating breast are described below. (Click on the words in the image below […]

Please carefully read the information provided throughout the case and respond to the questions as fully as possible. Once you have proceeded to the next question, you cannot go back to modify your response. Teaching faculty will review your responses. Case 10: Jamil "*" indicates required fields Save and Continue link used is expired or invalid. […]