BLNST flashcards
BLNST · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Alveolus
- The milk-secreting sac of the breast, lined with lactocytes and surrounded by myoepithelial cells that contract under oxytocin to eject milk into ducts.
- Lactogenesis II
- The onset of copious milk secretion, triggered by the drop in progesterone after placental delivery, typically occurring 30-72 hours postpartum.
- Feedback inhibitor of lactation
- A protein in milk that accumulates when milk is not removed and locally suppresses secretion, helping match supply to demand.
- Milk ejection reflex
- Oxytocin release from the posterior pituitary causes myoepithelial contraction and milk flow; it can be conditioned by infant cues.
- Colostrum
- The first milk, low in volume and high in secretory IgA, lactoferrin, and protein; it provides immune protection in the first days.
- Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
- WHO/UNICEF hospital practices including early skin-to-skin, rooming-in, responsive feeding, and no promotion of breast-milk substitutes.
- Responsive feeding
- Feeding guided by infant cues such as rooting and hand-to-mouth movements rather than a fixed schedule, typically 8-12 times daily.
- Effective latch
- Wide gape, chin to breast, flanged lips, more areola visible above than below, and audible swallowing without persistent pain.
- Cross-cradle position
- A hold where the mother supports the infant's head with the hand opposite the feeding breast, improving head control during early learning.
- Skin-to-skin contact
- Placing the naked infant on the mother's bare chest; supports thermoregulation, glucose stability, and oxytocin release.
- Paced bottle feeding
- Upright feeding with a slow-flow nipple and pauses, reducing flow preference when expressed milk or formula is medically needed.
- Expected weight loss
- Breastfed newborns may lose up to 7-10% of birth weight in the first week and should regain it by 10-14 days.
- Wet diaper count
- Output marker: one wet diaper on day 1-2, three on day 3, four on day 4, and six or more daily from day 5.
- LATCH score
- A validated tool scoring latch, audible swallowing, nipple type, comfort, and hold to document breastfeeding effectiveness and track change.
- Ankyloglossia
- Tongue-tie; assessed with a structured tool such as the Hazelbaker Assessment, and treated with frenotomy when function is impaired.
- Breast-milk jaundice
- A late-onset, benign unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in breastfed infants; distinct from breastfeeding jaundice caused by insufficient intake.
- Mastitis
- Localized breast tenderness and erythema with fever and flu-like symptoms; breastfeeding continues and antibiotics are considered if no improvement in 24 hours.
- Plugged duct
- A tender lump without systemic symptoms; managed with frequent feeding, gentle massage toward the nipple, and moist heat before feeds.
- Test weighing
- Weighing the infant before and after a feed to estimate intake; useful when low supply or poor transfer is suspected.
- Block feeding
- Feeding from one breast for several feeds in a row to reduce overactive letdown and foremilk/hindmilk imbalance symptoms.
- Frenotomy
- Surgical release of a restrictive lingual frenulum; considered when tongue function and latch are impaired.
- Relative infant dose
- RID = infant dose (mg/kg/day) divided by maternal dose (mg/kg/day) times 100; values under 10% are generally considered compatible.
- Milk-to-plasma ratio
- The ratio of drug concentration in milk to that in maternal plasma; values near 1 suggest substantial transfer into milk.
- Codeine in lactation
- An opioid metabolized by CYP2D6; ultrarapid metabolizers risk neonatal respiratory depression, so alternatives are preferred.
- Alcohol clearance
- No safe threshold is established; waiting about two hours per standard drink before feeding is the practical approach.
- Galactagogues
- Substances used to increase milk supply, such as domperidone or metoclopramide; evidence is limited and adverse effects must be weighed.
- Human milk energy density
- Human milk provides approximately 70 kcal per 100 mL; early infant intake is roughly 150-200 mL/kg/day.
- WHO growth standards
- The appropriate growth reference for breastfed infants; breastfed infants may grow more slowly after 3-6 months than formula-fed peers.
- Vitamin D supplementation
- 400 IU per day is recommended for exclusively breastfed infants from birth to prevent deficiency and rickets.
- Complementary feeding
- Introducing iron-rich foods and allergens around 4-6 months while continuing breastfeeding; honey is avoided before 12 months.
- Informed consent
- Disclosure of benefits, risks, and alternatives before any recommendation, including supplementation or device use, respecting family values.
- WHO Code
- Restricts promotion of breast-milk substitutes; lactation professionals should not accept gifts or samples from manufacturers.