IBCLC Milk Expression and Storage 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum recommended storage time for freshly expressed breast milk at room temperature (up to 77°F/25°C)?
- 2 hours
- 4 hours (Correct answer)
- 6 hours
- 8 hours
Correct answer: 4 hours
According to CDC and ABM guidelines, freshly expressed breast milk may be kept at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C) for a maximum of 4 hours.
Question 2: Which hand expression technique uses a C-hold with rhythmic compress-and-release cycles to best mimic infant suckling?
- Hoffman technique
- Marmet technique (Correct answer)
- Reverse pressure softening
- Cross-cradle compression
Correct answer: Marmet technique
The Marmet technique positions the fingers in a C-hold behind the areola and uses rhythmic compress-release cycles that most closely replicate infant suckling mechanics.
Question 3: For a stand-alone deep freezer maintained at 0°F (-18°C), how long can expressed breast milk be stored while remaining safe?
- 3 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 12 months
Breast milk stored in a deep freezer at 0°F (-18°C) remains safe for up to 12 months, though use within 6 months is recommended for optimal quality.
Question 4: What is the safest method for thawing previously frozen breast milk?
- Microwave on low for 30 seconds
- Boiling in a pot of water
- Overnight thawing in the refrigerator (Correct answer)
- Leaving at room temperature for 4 hours
Correct answer: Overnight thawing in the refrigerator
Thawing overnight in the refrigerator maintains consistently cool temperatures and best preserves the milk's bioactive components compared to other methods.
Question 5: A mother wants to combine freshly pumped warm milk with cold refrigerated milk. What is the correct guidance?
- Add warm milk directly to cold milk immediately after pumping
- Cool the fresh milk in the refrigerator first before combining with cold milk (Correct answer)
- Combine warm and cold milk only if the total volume is under 60 mL
- Combining milk from different sessions is not recommended
Correct answer: Cool the fresh milk in the refrigerator first before combining with cold milk
Fresh warm milk must be chilled in the refrigerator before being combined with previously refrigerated milk to prevent partial warming of the stored milk.
Question 6: Which statement best describes why hospital-grade breast pumps are recommended for mothers with NICU infants compared to personal-use pumps?
- They apply higher maximum suction to extract more milk
- They are engineered as multi-user devices with replaceable personal kit parts and stronger, more efficient motors (Correct answer)
- They require less frequent cleaning and are more portable
- They automatically adjust suction to match the infant's feeding pattern
Correct answer: They are engineered as multi-user devices with replaceable personal kit parts and stronger, more efficient motors
Hospital-grade pumps feature robust, efficient motors designed for frequent long-term use and closed systems that allow safe use by multiple patients with individual personal kits.
Question 7: What is the recommended position of the nipple within the breast pump flange tunnel during pumping?
- The nipple should rub against the tunnel walls to maximize stimulation
- The nipple should move freely in the tunnel without touching the sides (Correct answer)
- The areola should fill the tunnel to at least the 2 cm mark
- The nipple should align with the bottom of the tunnel for optimal suction seal
Correct answer: The nipple should move freely in the tunnel without touching the sides
A correctly sized flange allows the nipple to move freely within the tunnel without friction, ensuring comfort and effective, unrestricted milk removal.
IBCLC Milk Expression and Storage 1
What is the maximum recommended storage time for freshly expressed breast milk at room temperature (up to 77°F/25°C)?