IBCLC Communication and Counseling 2

Question 1

During a consultation, a mother becomes tearful and says she feels like a failure because breastfeeding is not going as planned. What is the most therapeutic initial response?

Accepted Answer

Validate her feelings by saying 'It sounds like this has been really difficult for you'

Answer

Reassure her that most women feel this way and it will get better

Answer

Immediately begin troubleshooting the breastfeeding problem

Answer

Share a personal story about your own breastfeeding challenges

Question 2

A father expresses concern that he cannot participate in infant feeding because the mother is exclusively breastfeeding. What is the best counseling approach?

Accepted Answer

Educate the father about other ways to bond with the infant and support breastfeeding

Answer

Suggest introducing a bottle of expressed milk so the father can feed the baby

Answer

Tell the father that breastfeeding is the mother's responsibility

Answer

Recommend the father take over nighttime feedings with formula

Question 3

A mother from a cultural background where colostrum is considered harmful asks whether she should discard it. How should the IBCLC respond?

Accepted Answer

Explore her cultural beliefs respectfully while providing evidence-based information about colostrum's benefits

Answer

Firmly explain that colostrum is essential and must not be discarded

Answer

Agree with her cultural practice to maintain rapport

Answer

Provide written materials and move on to other topics

Question 4

When using motivational interviewing techniques with an ambivalent mother about continuing breastfeeding, which approach is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Exploring the discrepancy between the mother's goals and current behavior

Answer

Providing a list of all the benefits of breastfeeding

Answer

Setting a firm deadline for making a decision

Answer

Telling the mother what most other mothers choose to do

Question 5

An IBCLC notices that a mother seems to agree with all suggestions during a consultation but does not implement any changes at follow-up. What communication barrier is most likely present?

Accepted Answer

The mother is engaging in passive compliance due to a perceived power imbalance

Answer

The mother has a learning disability

Answer

The suggestions were too complicated to remember

Answer

The mother is not motivated to breastfeed

Question 6

During a group breastfeeding support session, one mother dominates the conversation and gives inaccurate advice to others. What is the most professional way to handle this?

Accepted Answer

Thank her for sharing, gently redirect with accurate information, and invite others to share their experiences

Answer

Allow her to finish and correct misinformation privately after the session

Answer

Ask her to stop speaking so others can participate

Answer

End the group session early to prevent further misinformation