Milk Expression & Storage Flashcards
7 cards from real CBC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Milk Expression & Storage flashcards as text
A mother reports that her stored breast milk smells soapy after refrigeration. This is most likely due to:
Answer: High lipase activity breaking down milk fats
High lipase activity can break down milk fats rapidly, producing a soapy or rancid smell; this milk is safe to consume but some babies may refuse it.
To prevent the soapy smell caused by high lipase activity, a breastfeeding counselor would recommend the mother:
Answer: Scald the milk (heat to approximately 180°F/82°C) before refrigerating or freezing
Scalding milk to approximately 180°F (82°C) — just before a boil — deactivates lipase enzymes before storage, preventing the soapy taste and smell.
In a standard household freezer (0°F/-18°C), breast milk can be stored safely for:
Answer: 6 months
Breast milk can be stored in a standard household freezer at 0°F (-18°C) for up to 6 months optimally, though it remains safe for up to 12 months.
When storing breast milk in the freezer, which practice is recommended to preserve quality?
Answer: Leaving 1 inch of space at the top of rigid containers to allow for expansion
Breast milk expands when frozen, so leaving about 1 inch of headspace in rigid containers prevents cracking or breaking when the liquid expands.
A mother returning to work asks about adding fresh expressed milk to already refrigerated stored milk. The most appropriate guidance is:
Answer: Cool the freshly expressed milk first before adding it to already-cold stored milk
Freshly expressed milk should be cooled in the refrigerator first before combining with already-cold stored milk to avoid warming the stored milk, which could reduce its safe storage window.
Which of the following is the safest method to thaw frozen breast milk?
Answer: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or hold under warm running water
Thawing in the refrigerator overnight or under warm running water preserves milk components; microwaving creates hot spots that can burn the baby and destroy antibodies, and room temperature thawing increases bacterial growth risk.
A pumping mother asks about flange (breast shield) sizing. Which statement about flange fit is correct?
Answer: The correct flange allows only the nipple to move freely in the tunnel, with minimal areola drawn in
The correct flange fit allows the nipple to move freely in the tunnel without rubbing the sides, with only a small amount of areola drawn in, maximizing milk removal and minimizing discomfort.