CLC Breastfeeding Equipment & Milk Expression 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of breast pump is recommended for a mother of a premature infant who needs to establish and maintain milk supply without breastfeeding at the breast?
- Hospital-grade double electric pump (Correct answer)
- Manual hand pump
- Single-user personal electric pump
- Battery-operated single pump
Correct answer: Hospital-grade double electric pump
Hospital-grade double electric pumps provide optimal suction cycles and efficiency for mothers of premature infants who need to establish full milk supply.
Question 2: What is the recommended pumping frequency for a mother exclusively pumping to establish full milk supply in the first weeks postpartum?
- 8–12 times per 24 hours (Correct answer)
- 4–6 times per 24 hours
- 3–4 times per 24 hours
- Once every 6 hours
Correct answer: 8–12 times per 24 hours
To mimic newborn feeding frequency and signal the body to produce a full milk supply, pumping 8–12 times per 24 hours is recommended.
Question 3: When thawing frozen breast milk, which method is safest?
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or hold under warm running water (Correct answer)
- Microwave on low heat for 30 seconds
- Leave at room temperature for several hours
- Boil briefly in a pot of water
Correct answer: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or hold under warm running water
Microwaving creates hot spots and can destroy antibodies; gradual thawing in the refrigerator or under warm running water is the safest method.
Question 4: How long can previously frozen breast milk that has been thawed in the refrigerator be safely stored?
- 24 hours (Correct answer)
- 48 hours
- 72 hours
- 7 days
Correct answer: 24 hours
Thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours from the time it is fully thawed in the refrigerator.
Question 5: Which instruction is most important when teaching a mother to clean breast pump parts after each use?
- Wash all parts that contact milk with hot soapy water or run them through the dishwasher, then air dry (Correct answer)
- Rinse parts with cold water immediately after use and store wet
- Use antibacterial wipes to clean pump flanges between sessions
- Sterilize parts in boiling water after every use
Correct answer: Wash all parts that contact milk with hot soapy water or run them through the dishwasher, then air dry
The CDC recommends washing pump parts with hot soapy water (or dishwasher) and air drying on a clean towel after each use.
Question 6: A mother using a personal electric breast pump reports decreased output after 3 months of use. The CLC's first recommendation should be to:
- Check and replace the pump membranes and valves, as these wear out with regular use (Correct answer)
- Purchase a new pump immediately
- Increase pumping duration to 45 minutes per session
- Add herbal galactagogues to her diet
Correct answer: Check and replace the pump membranes and valves, as these wear out with regular use
Membranes and valves are the most common source of decreased pump efficiency and should be the first thing inspected and replaced.
CLC Breastfeeding Equipment & Milk Expression 2
Which type of breast pump is recommended for a mother of a premature infant who needs to establish and maintain milk supply without breastfeeding at the breast?