IBCLC EXAM FINAL PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Which is the MOST APPROPRIATE suggestion for a pregnant
woman concerned about eating well enough for her own body
growth and her developing baby?
A)Take prenatal vitamins every day
B)Eat fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich food 5 times a day
C)Plan your meals and snacks so you can eat every few hours
D)Plan to gain 25-35 pounds by the end of your pregnancy Answer:
D
◉ A 3-week-old exclusively breastfed baby with a strong family
history of allergy has a severe reaction the first time he is fed with a
cow's milk-based formula. The MOST LIKELY explanation for this is
that the:
A)baby was sensitized by intact cow's milk proteins that passed into
the mother's milk
B)baby was given a bottle of formula in the hospital nursery
C)mother consumed large amounts of dairy products during
pregnancy
D)allergic reaction was more likely due to the latex in the bottle
nipple than the cow's milk Answer: C
,◉ Which of the following components of human milk has the MOST
immunological importance?
A)Interferon
B)Fibronectin
C)Lactoferrin
D)Secretory IgA Answer: D
◉ Which of the following protective components of milk is
destroyed by freezing?
A)Lysozyme
B)Lymphocytes
C)Secretory IgA
D)Lactoferrin Answer: B
◉ According to studies of breastfed babies in an industrialized
society, which of the following feeding patterns most closely
approximates that of an exclusively breastfed 3-month-old baby?
A)4-6 feeds per day, total 60 minutes or more
B)6-8 feeds per day, total 100 minutes or more
C)8-10 feeds per day, total 120 minutes or more
D)10-12 feeds per day, total 140 minutes or more Answer: D (8-12
feeds 140-160 minutes)
,◉ When are fat levels in mother's milk highest?
A)When the milk ejection reflex is strong
B)During the night
C)After the mother eats a high-fat diet
D)When the breast is relatively empty Answer: D
◉ Which of the following is the MOST IMPORTANT function of
lactoferrin?
A)Bind and deactivate pathogens
B)Nerve Myelinization
C)Iron Transport
D)Anti-inflammatory agent Answer: A (also transports iron and is
anti-inflammatory)
◉ What is thought to be the PRIMARY function of Montgomery
glands?
A)Pigmented marker for visual targeting
B)Lubricate the skin of the areola
C)Secrete antibiotic substances
D)Change elasticity of areola skin Answer: B
, ◉ Which hormone in the milk is MOST responsible for anti-
inflammation activity?
A)Prolactin
B)Prostaglandins
C)Oxytocin
D)Relaxin Answer: B
◉ Which breast structure contains muscle fibers?
A)Lactiferous sinuses
B)Alvoli and ducts
C)Montgomery tubercles
D)Lactocytes Answer: B (contain smooth muscle fibers)
◉ Approximately how much milk does a baby age 1-3 days obtain at
the breast?
A)150ml/day (5oz/day) of colostrum
B)The baby gets increasing amounts each day as milk volume
increases
C)The baby needs a supplement until day 5 when mother's supply is
sufficient
D)The baby gets 750ml/day (25oz/day) from day 2 onward Answer:
B (baby may only get around 30mls or 1 oz per day in first couple of
days but increases drastically)
QUESTIONS SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Which is the MOST APPROPRIATE suggestion for a pregnant
woman concerned about eating well enough for her own body
growth and her developing baby?
A)Take prenatal vitamins every day
B)Eat fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich food 5 times a day
C)Plan your meals and snacks so you can eat every few hours
D)Plan to gain 25-35 pounds by the end of your pregnancy Answer:
D
◉ A 3-week-old exclusively breastfed baby with a strong family
history of allergy has a severe reaction the first time he is fed with a
cow's milk-based formula. The MOST LIKELY explanation for this is
that the:
A)baby was sensitized by intact cow's milk proteins that passed into
the mother's milk
B)baby was given a bottle of formula in the hospital nursery
C)mother consumed large amounts of dairy products during
pregnancy
D)allergic reaction was more likely due to the latex in the bottle
nipple than the cow's milk Answer: C
,◉ Which of the following components of human milk has the MOST
immunological importance?
A)Interferon
B)Fibronectin
C)Lactoferrin
D)Secretory IgA Answer: D
◉ Which of the following protective components of milk is
destroyed by freezing?
A)Lysozyme
B)Lymphocytes
C)Secretory IgA
D)Lactoferrin Answer: B
◉ According to studies of breastfed babies in an industrialized
society, which of the following feeding patterns most closely
approximates that of an exclusively breastfed 3-month-old baby?
A)4-6 feeds per day, total 60 minutes or more
B)6-8 feeds per day, total 100 minutes or more
C)8-10 feeds per day, total 120 minutes or more
D)10-12 feeds per day, total 140 minutes or more Answer: D (8-12
feeds 140-160 minutes)
,◉ When are fat levels in mother's milk highest?
A)When the milk ejection reflex is strong
B)During the night
C)After the mother eats a high-fat diet
D)When the breast is relatively empty Answer: D
◉ Which of the following is the MOST IMPORTANT function of
lactoferrin?
A)Bind and deactivate pathogens
B)Nerve Myelinization
C)Iron Transport
D)Anti-inflammatory agent Answer: A (also transports iron and is
anti-inflammatory)
◉ What is thought to be the PRIMARY function of Montgomery
glands?
A)Pigmented marker for visual targeting
B)Lubricate the skin of the areola
C)Secrete antibiotic substances
D)Change elasticity of areola skin Answer: B
, ◉ Which hormone in the milk is MOST responsible for anti-
inflammation activity?
A)Prolactin
B)Prostaglandins
C)Oxytocin
D)Relaxin Answer: B
◉ Which breast structure contains muscle fibers?
A)Lactiferous sinuses
B)Alvoli and ducts
C)Montgomery tubercles
D)Lactocytes Answer: B (contain smooth muscle fibers)
◉ Approximately how much milk does a baby age 1-3 days obtain at
the breast?
A)150ml/day (5oz/day) of colostrum
B)The baby gets increasing amounts each day as milk volume
increases
C)The baby needs a supplement until day 5 when mother's supply is
sufficient
D)The baby gets 750ml/day (25oz/day) from day 2 onward Answer:
B (baby may only get around 30mls or 1 oz per day in first couple of
days but increases drastically)
