CLE Counseling & Communication Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A mother says, 'I feel like a failure because I can't make enough milk.' Which response best demonstrates empathic reflection?
- You're not a failure — many mothers struggle with supply.
- It sounds like you're feeling really discouraged about your milk production. (Correct answer)
- Have you tried power pumping to increase your supply?
- Most mothers can make enough milk with the right support.
Correct answer: It sounds like you're feeling really discouraged about your milk production.
Empathic reflection mirrors the mother's emotional experience without minimizing or redirecting, helping her feel heard.
Question 2: When using the LATCH tool in counseling, what does the 'A' stand for?
- Attitude of the mother toward breastfeeding
- Audible swallowing (Correct answer)
- Areola compression
- Attachment style of the infant
Correct answer: Audible swallowing
In the LATCH assessment tool, 'A' stands for Audible swallowing, indicating effective milk transfer.
Question 3: A father feels excluded during breastfeeding counseling sessions. What is the most appropriate approach?
- Schedule a separate session for the father only.
- Explain that breastfeeding counseling is primarily for the mother.
- Acknowledge his role and ask how he envisions supporting his partner. (Correct answer)
- Provide written materials for him to read on his own.
Correct answer: Acknowledge his role and ask how he envisions supporting his partner.
Including partners by acknowledging their role and inviting their perspective improves family support for breastfeeding.
Question 4: Which communication technique is most effective when a mother is visibly overwhelmed and crying?
- Immediately offer educational information to address her concerns.
- Sit quietly beside her and allow silence before speaking. (Correct answer)
- Ask a series of assessment questions to identify the problem.
- Recommend she take a break and return when calm.
Correct answer: Sit quietly beside her and allow silence before speaking.
Allowing silence and being present communicates empathy and gives the mother space to process her emotions.
Question 5: A mother from a culture where formula is viewed as a status symbol asks about supplementing. How should the CLE respond?
- Explain firmly that breastfeeding is always superior to formula.
- Acknowledge her cultural context and explore her goals before sharing information. (Correct answer)
- Provide statistics showing formula-fed infants have worse outcomes.
- Contact a social worker to address cultural misconceptions.
Correct answer: Acknowledge her cultural context and explore her goals before sharing information.
Culturally sensitive counseling requires acknowledging the mother's context and values before providing education.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of using open-ended questions during a lactation counseling session?
- To gather specific clinical data quickly
- To allow the counselor to guide the conversation efficiently
- To encourage the mother to share her story and concerns in her own words (Correct answer)
- To assess whether the mother understands breastfeeding basics
Correct answer: To encourage the mother to share her story and concerns in her own words
Open-ended questions invite the mother to describe her experience freely, revealing concerns the counselor might not have anticipated.
Question 7: A CLE notices her own frustration growing when a mother repeatedly declines evidence-based advice. What should the CLE do?
- Document the refusals and end the session early.
- Increase the frequency of advice-giving to reinforce key points.
- Recognize her emotional response and practice self-regulation before continuing. (Correct answer)
- Ask a colleague to take over the session immediately.
Correct answer: Recognize her emotional response and practice self-regulation before continuing.
Recognizing and managing one's own emotional reactions is essential to maintaining a non-judgmental, therapeutic relationship.
CLE Counseling & Communication Skills 2
A mother says, 'I feel like a failure because I can't make enough milk.' Which response best demonstrates empathic reflection?