CBC Breastfeeding Support & Lactation Flashcards

Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk production (lactogenesis) in the postpartum period?

Answer: Prolactin

Prolactin, secreted by the anterior pituitary, drives milk synthesis in the alveolar cells of the breast.

What is the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as of 2022?

Answer: 6 months

The AAP updated its guidance in 2022 recommending exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods.

A mother reports that her nipples are cracked and painful. The FIRST step a breast counselor should assess is:

Answer: Infant's latch and positioning

Poor latch is the most common cause of nipple trauma, so correcting positioning and latch is the first priority.

Which breastfeeding position is most commonly recommended for a mother recovering from a cesarean section?

Answer: Football (clutch) hold

The football hold keeps the infant away from the abdominal incision, making it the preferred position after a C-section.

Galactosemia in a newborn is considered an absolute contraindication to breastfeeding because:

Answer: Breast milk contains lactose that the infant cannot metabolize

Infants with classic galactosemia cannot break down galactose found in lactose in breast milk, leading to life-threatening accumulation.

What does the term 'let-down reflex' refer to in lactation?

Answer: Oxytocin-mediated ejection of milk from the alveoli

The let-down (milk ejection) reflex is triggered by oxytocin, which contracts myoepithelial cells around the alveoli to propel milk toward the nipple.