IBCLC - Breastmilk Composition and
Function Exam
40% of calories in BM come from carbohydrates - ANS-Carbohydrates (calories)
50% of calories in breastmilk come from fats - ANS-Fats (calories)
1. BF directly at mother's breast
2. EBM from the mother
3. EBM from a donor
4. Artificial infant milk (formula) - ANS-WHO Guidelines to Optimal Infant Feeding
10% of calories in breastmilk come from protein - ANS-Protein (calories)
7% of breastmilk is carbohydrates - ANS-Carbohydrates
4% of breastmilk is fats - ANS-Fats
0.8-1% of breastmilk is protein - ANS-Protein
1. Stage of lactation
2. Breastfeeding pattern
3. Season
4. Parity
5. Lactation period/infant age - ANS-Breastmilk composition is not constant; varies with:
A major protein found in human milk whey.
* assists in processing lactose - ANS-A-lactalbumin (protein)
Low in protein and high in fat and carbohydrates - ANS-Human milk is...
1. A-lactalbumin
(Major protein - provides significant amino acids)
2. Serum albumin
3. Lactoferrin
*protective factors - inhibits bacteria growth in gut
*transports iron and aids in absorption
*antibacterial
*essential growth factor for lymphocytes
, *promotes growth of L-bifidus
4. Immunoglobulins
(IgA - protects from viruses, bacteria and allergies)
5. Lysosomes
(protects against e.coli and Salmonella; promotes growth of healthy gut flora) - ANS-
What are the 5 whey proteins?
1. Whey (60%) - digests fastest
2. Casein (40%) - forms soft curd - nutritive
(b-casein) - ANS-What are the 2 main proteins in milk?
Whey protein - ANS-What gives breastmilk it's bluish colour?
60% - ANS-What % of protein in breastmilk is whey?
40% - ANS-What % of protein in breastmilk is casein?
1. Triglycerides (98%):
(Oleic acid, Palmitic acid, Linoleic & Linolenic acid)
2. Phospholipids
3. Essential fatty acids - ANS-What are the main fats in breastmilk?
9 mg/dL - ANS-What is the approximate protein content of breastmilk?
48 minutes - ANS-What is the gastric half-emptying time of breastmilk?
78 minutes - ANS-What is the gastric half-emptying time of formula?
20-25% - ANS-What %age of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) makes up the protein in
breastmilk?
1. Lactose (primary) - glucose & fructose
2. Oligosaccharides (consists of monosaccahrides and promotes growth of
Lactobacillus Bifidus - (beneficial gut bacteria) - ANS-What are the main carbohydrates
in breastmilk?
a-lacalbuman participates in lactose synthesis by creating an osmotic "drag" to facilitate
milk production and secretion. - ANS-A-lactalbumin (protein) - function in the mammary
gland
No - the maternal diet does not affect these macronutrients in breastmilk. - ANS-Does
the maternal diet affect total concentrations of fat, protein or lactose in the breastmilk?
Function Exam
40% of calories in BM come from carbohydrates - ANS-Carbohydrates (calories)
50% of calories in breastmilk come from fats - ANS-Fats (calories)
1. BF directly at mother's breast
2. EBM from the mother
3. EBM from a donor
4. Artificial infant milk (formula) - ANS-WHO Guidelines to Optimal Infant Feeding
10% of calories in breastmilk come from protein - ANS-Protein (calories)
7% of breastmilk is carbohydrates - ANS-Carbohydrates
4% of breastmilk is fats - ANS-Fats
0.8-1% of breastmilk is protein - ANS-Protein
1. Stage of lactation
2. Breastfeeding pattern
3. Season
4. Parity
5. Lactation period/infant age - ANS-Breastmilk composition is not constant; varies with:
A major protein found in human milk whey.
* assists in processing lactose - ANS-A-lactalbumin (protein)
Low in protein and high in fat and carbohydrates - ANS-Human milk is...
1. A-lactalbumin
(Major protein - provides significant amino acids)
2. Serum albumin
3. Lactoferrin
*protective factors - inhibits bacteria growth in gut
*transports iron and aids in absorption
*antibacterial
*essential growth factor for lymphocytes
, *promotes growth of L-bifidus
4. Immunoglobulins
(IgA - protects from viruses, bacteria and allergies)
5. Lysosomes
(protects against e.coli and Salmonella; promotes growth of healthy gut flora) - ANS-
What are the 5 whey proteins?
1. Whey (60%) - digests fastest
2. Casein (40%) - forms soft curd - nutritive
(b-casein) - ANS-What are the 2 main proteins in milk?
Whey protein - ANS-What gives breastmilk it's bluish colour?
60% - ANS-What % of protein in breastmilk is whey?
40% - ANS-What % of protein in breastmilk is casein?
1. Triglycerides (98%):
(Oleic acid, Palmitic acid, Linoleic & Linolenic acid)
2. Phospholipids
3. Essential fatty acids - ANS-What are the main fats in breastmilk?
9 mg/dL - ANS-What is the approximate protein content of breastmilk?
48 minutes - ANS-What is the gastric half-emptying time of breastmilk?
78 minutes - ANS-What is the gastric half-emptying time of formula?
20-25% - ANS-What %age of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) makes up the protein in
breastmilk?
1. Lactose (primary) - glucose & fructose
2. Oligosaccharides (consists of monosaccahrides and promotes growth of
Lactobacillus Bifidus - (beneficial gut bacteria) - ANS-What are the main carbohydrates
in breastmilk?
a-lacalbuman participates in lactose synthesis by creating an osmotic "drag" to facilitate
milk production and secretion. - ANS-A-lactalbumin (protein) - function in the mammary
gland
No - the maternal diet does not affect these macronutrients in breastmilk. - ANS-Does
the maternal diet affect total concentrations of fat, protein or lactose in the breastmilk?
