CBS Breastfeeding Techniques & Support 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mother asks how to know when to switch breasts during a feeding. What is the best guidance?
- Switch every 10 minutes regardless
- Switch when the baby falls asleep or active swallowing stops at the first breast (Correct answer)
- Always offer both breasts at every feeding
- Only switch breasts if the baby cries
Correct answer: Switch when the baby falls asleep or active swallowing stops at the first breast
The optimal time to switch is when the baby stops actively swallowing at the first breast, ensuring they receive both foremilk and hindmilk.
Question 2: Which reflex is primarily responsible for milk ejection during breastfeeding?
- Rooting reflex
- Suckling reflex
- Ferguson reflex
- Let-down (milk ejection) reflex triggered by oxytocin (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Let-down (milk ejection) reflex triggered by oxytocin
The let-down reflex is triggered by infant suckling which stimulates the posterior pituitary to release oxytocin, causing myoepithelial cells to contract and eject milk.
Question 3: A premature infant at 34 weeks gestation is unable to latch effectively. What feeding strategy is most consistent with supporting future breastfeeding?
- Initiate formula via bottle immediately
- Begin exclusive pumping and feed expressed breast milk by bottle
- Begin pumping, use cup or finger feeding, and practice skin-to-skin regularly (Correct answer)
- Wait until 36 weeks before any feeding attempts
Correct answer: Begin pumping, use cup or finger feeding, and practice skin-to-skin regularly
Pumping maintains milk supply, skin-to-skin promotes breastfeeding readiness, and alternative feeding methods like cup or finger feeding avoid nipple/flow confusion.
Question 4: What is 'biological nurturing' (laid-back breastfeeding)?
- Breastfeeding while the mother lies on her side
- A semi-reclined maternal position that activates the infant's innate feeding reflexes (Correct answer)
- Allowing the baby to feed whenever it wants without scheduling
- Using pillows to support the infant in the cradle position
Correct answer: A semi-reclined maternal position that activates the infant's innate feeding reflexes
Biological nurturing uses a semi-reclined position so gravity helps the infant self-attach, activating primitive neonatal reflexes that support effective latching.
Question 5: A mother is concerned her milk supply is low because her breasts no longer feel full. What should she be told?
- This confirms supply is decreasing and she should supplement
- Breast fullness is unreliable; infant output and weight gain are better indicators of adequate supply (Correct answer)
- She should pump after every feeding to build supply
- She should increase formula top-ups until fullness returns
Correct answer: Breast fullness is unreliable; infant output and weight gain are better indicators of adequate supply
Breast fullness is a poor indicator of supply; after the first few weeks, breasts regulate and feel softer even when production is adequate.
Question 6: Which technique helps a mother with an overactive milk ejection reflex reduce excessive flow?
- Feed more frequently to drain the breast faster
- Lean back or nurse in a laid-back position to use gravity to slow flow (Correct answer)
- Pump before each feeding until flow slows
- Limit feeding time to 5 minutes per breast
Correct answer: Lean back or nurse in a laid-back position to use gravity to slow flow
A laid-back or reclined nursing position uses gravity to slow milk flow, which can help infants manage an overactive let-down without choking or sputtering.
Question 7: When assessing a breastfeeding latch, which finding would indicate a poor latch requiring correction?
- Baby's chin is touching the breast
- Mother hears audible swallowing
- Only the nipple is in the baby's mouth (Correct answer)
- Baby's lips are flanged outward
Correct answer: Only the nipple is in the baby's mouth
A latch with only the nipple (not the areola) in the mouth causes nipple pain and compression, and prevents effective milk transfer.
CBS Breastfeeding Techniques & Support 3
A mother asks how to know when to switch breasts during a feeding.
What is the best guidance?