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
When an infant is unable to nurse directly after birth, when should a mother begin pumping to best establish her milk supply?
Answer: Within 1 hour of delivery
Initiating pumping within the first hour after birth mimics the timing of a healthy newborn's first feed and maximizes early prolactin stimulation to establish milk supply.
What is the minimum recommended number of pumping sessions per 24 hours during the early postpartum period to establish a full milk supply?
Answer: 8–10 times
Pumping 8–10 times per 24 hours closely mirrors normal newborn nursing frequency and provides the prolactin stimulation needed to establish full milk production.
A mother notices her stored breast milk has separated into a cream layer on top and a watery layer below. What should she be told?
Answer: This is normal fat separation; gently swirl the container to recombine
Fat naturally rises to the top of stored breast milk; gentle swirling (not shaking) safely recombines the layers without damaging delicate bioactive proteins.
Which container type is most appropriate for long-term freezer storage of expressed breast milk?
Answer: Hard-sided BPA-free plastic or glass containers designed for breast milk storage
Hard-sided storage containers specifically designed for breast milk are most durable, less prone to leaks, and best maintain milk integrity during long-term freezer storage.
How should a mother determine the correct breast pump flange size?
Answer: Measure the nipple diameter and add 2–3 mm
The correct flange size is found by measuring the nipple diameter in millimeters and adding 2–3 mm to allow unobstructed nipple movement within the tunnel.
An exclusively pumping mother at 6 weeks postpartum reports declining milk output. What is the most appropriate first-line intervention?
Answer: Increase pumping frequency and add one daily power pumping session
Increasing pumping frequency and adding power pumping mimics cluster feeding, elevating prolactin levels and stimulating greater milk production.
Which of the following pump hygiene practices is NOT recommended by CDC guidelines for a healthy full-term infant?
Answer: Sterilizing all pump parts with a microwave steam bag after every pumping session
For healthy full-term infants, sterilizing after every session is unnecessary; CDC recommends daily sanitizing at most, with thorough washing after each session being the required step.