CBC CBC Breastfeeding Support & Lactation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk production (lactogenesis) in the postpartum period?
- Prolactin (Correct answer)
- Oxytocin
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
Correct answer: Prolactin
Prolactin, secreted by the anterior pituitary, drives milk synthesis in the alveolar cells of the breast.
Question 2: What is the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as of 2022?
- 3 months
- 6 months (Correct answer)
- 12 months
- 2 years
Correct answer: 6 months
The AAP updated its guidance in 2022 recommending exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods.
Question 3: A mother reports that her nipples are cracked and painful. The FIRST step a breast counselor should assess is:
- Infant's latch and positioning (Correct answer)
- Mother's fluid intake
- Use of nipple shields
- Breast milk composition
Correct answer: Infant's latch and positioning
Poor latch is the most common cause of nipple trauma, so correcting positioning and latch is the first priority.
Question 4: Which breastfeeding position is most commonly recommended for a mother recovering from a cesarean section?
- Cradle hold
- Football (clutch) hold (Correct answer)
- Cross-cradle hold
- Laid-back position
Correct answer: Football (clutch) hold
The football hold keeps the infant away from the abdominal incision, making it the preferred position after a C-section.
Question 5: Galactosemia in a newborn is considered an absolute contraindication to breastfeeding because:
- Breast milk lacks essential amino acids for the infant
- Breast milk contains lactose that the infant cannot metabolize (Correct answer)
- Maternal antibodies in breast milk worsen the condition
- Breast milk interferes with galactosemia medication
Correct answer: Breast milk contains lactose that the infant cannot metabolize
Infants with classic galactosemia cannot break down galactose found in lactose in breast milk, leading to life-threatening accumulation.
Question 6: What does the term 'let-down reflex' refer to in lactation?
- The physical descent of the breast during pregnancy
- Oxytocin-mediated ejection of milk from the alveoli (Correct answer)
- Prolactin surge following birth
- Colostrum transition to mature milk
Correct answer: Oxytocin-mediated ejection of milk from the alveoli
The let-down (milk ejection) reflex is triggered by oxytocin, which contracts myoepithelial cells around the alveoli to propel milk toward the nipple.
CBC CBC Breastfeeding Support & Lactation 1
Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk production (lactogenesis) in the postpartum period?