Milk Expression and Storage Flashcards
7 cards from real IBCLC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Milk Expression and Storage flashcards as text
Which pumping pattern most effectively optimizes the milk ejection reflex in a mother of a preterm infant?
Answer: Two-phase pumping beginning with rapid low-suction stimulation followed by slower higher-suction expression
Two-phase pumping replicates the infant's initial rapid stimulation suckling followed by slower nutritive suckling, which optimally triggers let-down and maximizes milk removal.
A mother has offered her infant a bottle of expressed breast milk. The infant did not finish it. What is the correct guidance for handling the remaining milk?
Answer: Use within 2 hours or discard
Once breast milk has been offered to an infant, backwash from the infant's saliva introduces bacteria, so leftover milk must be used within 2 hours or discarded.
Which description most accurately defines 'power pumping'?
Answer: Pumping in short repeated bursts within a one-hour block (e.g., 20 min on, 10 min off, 10 min on, 10 min off, 10 min on) to mimic cluster feeding
Power pumping mimics cluster feeding by alternating short pumping and rest intervals within a one-hour block, elevating prolactin levels to increase milk supply.
A mother returning to work asks how to transport freshly pumped milk safely during her commute. What is the best recommendation?
Answer: Keep milk in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs and refrigerate immediately upon arrival
Transporting milk in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs maintains safe temperatures and should be followed by immediate refrigeration upon arrival at the destination.
Once frozen breast milk has been thawed in the refrigerator, how long may it be stored before it must be discarded?
Answer: 24 hours
Thawed breast milk should be used within 24 hours of complete thawing in the refrigerator, as the freezing and thawing process accelerates bacterial growth and oxidative changes.
A mother reports that her stored breast milk smells soapy or rancid even though it was collected and stored correctly. What is the most likely explanation?
Answer: Excess lipase activity that breaks down milk fat during storage
Elevated lipase activity causes fat to break down rapidly in stored milk, producing a soapy or rancid odor; scalding fresh milk to 180°F (82°C) before storage inactivates the enzyme.
Which statement is TRUE regarding the use of galactagogues in an exclusively pumping mother with low milk supply?
Answer: Galactagogues are most effective when used as an adjunct to frequent, effective milk removal
Galactagogues serve as an adjunct and are unlikely to be effective without an adequate foundation of frequent, effective milk removal to stimulate prolactin.