CBS Breastfeeding Techniques & Support 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mother reports that her baby makes clicking sounds during breastfeeding. What is the most likely cause?
- Overactive letdown
- Poor tongue positioning or tongue tie (Correct answer)
- Baby is feeding too quickly
- Mother has insufficient milk supply
Correct answer: Poor tongue positioning or tongue tie
Clicking sounds during nursing typically indicate the baby is losing suction, often due to poor tongue positioning or a tongue tie (ankyloglossia).
Question 2: Which position is most recommended for a mother recovering from a cesarean section to avoid pressure on the incision?
- Cross-cradle hold
- Cradle hold
- Football (clutch) hold (Correct answer)
- Side-lying position
Correct answer: Football (clutch) hold
The football (clutch) hold keeps the baby's body tucked under the mother's arm and away from the abdominal incision site.
Question 3: What does the term 'paced bottle feeding' mean in the context of breastfeeding support?
- Feeding the baby on a strict schedule
- Allowing the baby to control the flow and pace of bottle feeding (Correct answer)
- Increasing bottle feed volumes gradually
- Alternating bottle and breast at every feeding
Correct answer: Allowing the baby to control the flow and pace of bottle feeding
Paced bottle feeding allows the infant to control the flow rate, mimicking breastfeeding and reducing the risk of nipple/flow preference.
Question 4: A mother with flat nipples asks for help initiating breastfeeding. Which intervention is most appropriate to try first?
- Recommend exclusive pumping from birth
- Use a nipple shield permanently
- Encourage breast stimulation and manual eversion before latching (Correct answer)
- Advise formula supplementation
Correct answer: Encourage breast stimulation and manual eversion before latching
Manual eversion or cold stimulation before latching can temporarily draw out flat nipples and help the baby achieve a deeper latch.
Question 5: Which sign most reliably indicates adequate milk transfer during a breastfeeding session?
- Mother feels let-down sensation
- Baby suckles vigorously for the entire feed
- Baby shows audible swallowing and appears satisfied after feeding (Correct answer)
- Breasts feel empty after feeding
Correct answer: Baby shows audible swallowing and appears satisfied after feeding
Audible swallowing combined with infant satiety cues (relaxed hands, releasing breast spontaneously) are the strongest indicators of effective milk transfer.
Question 6: A breastfeeding mother develops a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms with a hot, red, wedge-shaped area on her breast. What condition should be suspected?
- Breast engorgement
- Plugged milk duct
- Mastitis (Correct answer)
- Candida (thrush) of the breast
Correct answer: Mastitis
Mastitis presents with systemic flu-like symptoms plus a localized, warm, erythematous, wedge-shaped area of the breast, and requires prompt treatment.
Question 7: What is the purpose of breast compression during breastfeeding?
- To increase milk fat content
- To stimulate milk let-down and increase milk flow to a sleepy or ineffective feeder (Correct answer)
- To relieve engorgement
- To prevent mastitis
Correct answer: To stimulate milk let-down and increase milk flow to a sleepy or ineffective feeder
Breast compression helps maintain milk flow during pauses in active suckling, which is especially useful for sleepy or low-weight-gain infants.
CBS Breastfeeding Techniques & Support 2
A mother reports that her baby makes clicking sounds during breastfeeding.
What is the most likely cause?