Breastfeeding & Lactation Support Flashcards

A breastfeeding mother presents with a red, warm, tender wedge-shaped area on one breast along with fever of 38.5°C and flu-like symptoms. This presentation is most consistent with:

Answer: Mastitis

Mastitis presents with localized breast erythema, warmth, tenderness, and systemic symptoms including fever above 38.5°C and flu-like illness, typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

What is the recommended management for lactational mastitis in an otherwise healthy breastfeeding mother?

Answer: Antibiotics (e.g., dicloxacillin) and continued breastfeeding or pumping

Mastitis treatment includes appropriate antibiotics targeting Staphylococcus aureus while continuing to breastfeed or pump to prevent milk stasis, which could lead to abscess formation.

Which medication is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers due to significant risk of infant harm and milk supply suppression?

Answer: Ergotamine

Ergotamine is contraindicated during breastfeeding because it transfers into milk, can cause neonatal vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures, and also suppresses prolactin-mediated milk production.

Which assessment finding would most strongly suggest insufficient breast milk supply in a breastfeeding newborn?

Answer: Feeding sessions consistently lasting 45 to 60 minutes with continued signs of hunger

Excessively prolonged feeding sessions with persistent infant dissatisfaction and hunger cues suggest poor milk transfer or inadequate supply and warrant lactation assessment.

Which finding indicates a correct and effective breastfeeding latch?

Answer: Infant's chin touches the breast, mouth is wide open, and lips are flanged outward

An effective latch is characterized by a widely open mouth, chin pressed against the breast, lips flanged outward, and asymmetric coverage of the areola ensuring efficient milk transfer without nipple trauma.

Domperidone is classified as a galactogogue. By what mechanism does it increase milk supply?

Answer: It acts as a dopamine antagonist, increasing prolactin secretion

Domperidone is a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist; by blocking dopamine's inhibitory effect on the pituitary, it elevates prolactin levels, thereby stimulating increased milk production.

What is the most effective first-line management for breast engorgement in a breastfeeding mother?

Answer: Frequent nursing or pumping with warm compresses before feeding and cold compresses after

Engorgement is managed by regularly removing milk through frequent breastfeeding or pumping; warm compresses before feeding promote let-down while cold compresses afterward reduce inflammation.