Doula Certification Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the let-down reflex in breastfeeding?
- When a mother becomes discouraged about breastfeeding
- The release of milk from the alveoli into the milk ducts triggered by oxytocin (Correct answer)
- The newborn's latch release at end of feeding
- A formula preparation technique
Correct answer: The release of milk from the alveoli into the milk ducts triggered by oxytocin
The let-down (milk ejection) reflex is triggered by oxytocin release, causing milk to flow from the alveoli through the ducts to the nipple.
Question 2: What characterizes an adequate breastfeeding latch?
- Only the nipple is in the baby's mouth
- The baby's mouth covers the nipple and much of the areola with lips flanged outward (Correct answer)
- A shallow latch with a clicking sound
- Latch with the upper lip curled inward
Correct answer: The baby's mouth covers the nipple and much of the areola with lips flanged outward
A deep latch involves the baby's mouth covering the nipple and a large portion of the areola with lips flanged outward for effective milk transfer.
Question 3: What is breast engorgement?
- A baby eating too much at one feeding
- Uncomfortable fullness and swelling of the breasts due to excess milk (Correct answer)
- A breast infection
- A breastfeeding position
Correct answer: Uncomfortable fullness and swelling of the breasts due to excess milk
Breast engorgement is the painful overfilling of breasts with milk, often occurring when milk comes in around days 3-5 postpartum.
Question 4: What is mastitis?
- A blocked milk duct only
- Inflammation of breast tissue, often involving bacterial infection (Correct answer)
- Normal breast tenderness
- A breastfeeding position
Correct answer: Inflammation of breast tissue, often involving bacterial infection
Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue, often caused by a blocked duct or bacterial infection, producing flu-like symptoms, breast redness, and pain.
Question 5: What is the difference between foremilk and hindmilk?
- Foremilk is higher in fat; hindmilk is lower in fat
- Foremilk is watery and lower in fat; hindmilk is richer and higher in fat (Correct answer)
- They are nutritionally identical throughout a feeding
- Hindmilk comes first at the start of a feeding session
Correct answer: Foremilk is watery and lower in fat; hindmilk is richer and higher in fat
Foremilk is the thinner, lower-fat milk at the start of a feeding, while hindmilk is the creamier, higher-fat milk released as the breast empties.
Question 6: What is tongue tie (ankyloglossia)?
- A tight jaw muscle condition
- A short or tight frenulum that restricts tongue movement and can affect latch (Correct answer)
- An overactive sucking reflex
- A feeding schedule restriction
Correct answer: A short or tight frenulum that restricts tongue movement and can affect latch
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition where the lingual frenulum is unusually short or tight, restricting tongue movement and potentially affecting latch.
Doula Certification Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding 1
What is the let-down reflex in breastfeeding?