Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Practice Exams | 2025/2026 Edition –
Exams #1–7 & #9 | 400+ Q&A
Exam
This comprehensive resource includes eight full Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Practice Exams—#1 through #7 and #9—updated for the 2025/2026 testing c ycle. With
400+ verified multiple-choice questions and 100% correct answers, the content reflects
current CLC certification standards set by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice
(ALPP). These exams are ideal for lactation counselor candidates, doulas, midwives, and
maternal-child health professionals seeking clinical accuracy and exam confidence.
1.Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk ejection (let-
down reflex)?
A) Estrogen
o
o B) Prolactin
o C) Progesterone
o D) Oxytocin
Answer: D – Oxytocin
Explanation: Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial
cells, releasing milk.
2. What is the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding by
WHO?
o A) 9 months
o B) 6 months
, o C) 3 months
o D) 12 months
Answer: B – 6 months
Explanation: WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for
the first 6 months.
3. Which vitamin is recommended as a supplement for exclusively
breastfed infants?
o A) Vitamin C
o B) Vitamin A
o C) Vitamin K
o D) Vitamin D
Answer: D – Vitamin D
Explanation: Breast milk is low in Vitamin D; supplementation
prevents rickets.
4. Colostrum is rich in which immunoglobulin?
o A) IgG
o B) IgM
o C) IgA
o D) IgE
Answer: C – IgA
Explanation: IgA coats the infant’s gut, protecting against
pathogens.
5. Which breastfeeding position is most recommended for mothers
recovering from a cesarean section?
o A) Football hold
o B) Cradle hold
o C) Side-lying
o D) Cross-cradle
Answer: A – Football hold (also side-lying)
Explanation: These positions avoid pressure on the incision.
6. What is the primary function of prolactin in lactation?
o A) Milk ejection
, o B) Milk production
o C) Uterine contraction
o D) Immune protection
Answer: B – Milk production
7. Which nutrient is lowest in human breast milk compared to cow’s
milk?
o A) Protein
o B) Fat
o C) Carbohydrate
o D) Calcium
Answer: A – Protein
8. Which reflex helps the infant find the breast?
o A) Moro reflex
o B) Rooting reflex
o C) Sucking reflex
o D) Grasp reflex
Answer: B – Rooting reflex
9. Which factor most influences milk supply?
o A) Maternal diet
o B) Frequency of breastfeeding
o C) Infant age
o D) Maternal hydration
Answer: B – Frequency of breastfeeding
10. Which counseling approach is most effective in lactation
support?
o A) Directive advice
o B) Active listening
o C) Persuasion
o D) Instruction only
Answer: B – Active listening
11. Which fatty acid in breast milk supports brain development?
o A) Linoleic acid
, o B) DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
o C) Oleic acid
o D) Palmitic acid
Answer: B – DHA
12. Which maternal condition is NOT a contraindication to
breastfeeding?
o A) HIV (without treatment)
o B) Active tuberculosis
o C) Mastitis
o D) Use of chemotherapy drugs
Answer: C – Mastitis
Explanation: Mastitis is treated while continuing breastfeeding.
13. Which sign indicates effective breastfeeding?
o A) Infant sleeps >6 hours
o B) Audible swallowing
o C) Maternal breast pain
o D) Infant crying after feeds
Answer: B – Audible swallowing
14. Which part of the breast produces milk?
o A) Areola
o B) Alveoli
o C) Lactiferous sinus
o D) Nipple
Answer: B – Alveoli
15. Which mineral is present in low amounts in breast milk but
highly bioavailable?
o A) Iron
o B) Calcium
o C) Sodium
o D) Potassium
Answer: A – Iron
Practice Exams | 2025/2026 Edition –
Exams #1–7 & #9 | 400+ Q&A
Exam
This comprehensive resource includes eight full Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Practice Exams—#1 through #7 and #9—updated for the 2025/2026 testing c ycle. With
400+ verified multiple-choice questions and 100% correct answers, the content reflects
current CLC certification standards set by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice
(ALPP). These exams are ideal for lactation counselor candidates, doulas, midwives, and
maternal-child health professionals seeking clinical accuracy and exam confidence.
1.Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk ejection (let-
down reflex)?
A) Estrogen
o
o B) Prolactin
o C) Progesterone
o D) Oxytocin
Answer: D – Oxytocin
Explanation: Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial
cells, releasing milk.
2. What is the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding by
WHO?
o A) 9 months
o B) 6 months
, o C) 3 months
o D) 12 months
Answer: B – 6 months
Explanation: WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for
the first 6 months.
3. Which vitamin is recommended as a supplement for exclusively
breastfed infants?
o A) Vitamin C
o B) Vitamin A
o C) Vitamin K
o D) Vitamin D
Answer: D – Vitamin D
Explanation: Breast milk is low in Vitamin D; supplementation
prevents rickets.
4. Colostrum is rich in which immunoglobulin?
o A) IgG
o B) IgM
o C) IgA
o D) IgE
Answer: C – IgA
Explanation: IgA coats the infant’s gut, protecting against
pathogens.
5. Which breastfeeding position is most recommended for mothers
recovering from a cesarean section?
o A) Football hold
o B) Cradle hold
o C) Side-lying
o D) Cross-cradle
Answer: A – Football hold (also side-lying)
Explanation: These positions avoid pressure on the incision.
6. What is the primary function of prolactin in lactation?
o A) Milk ejection
, o B) Milk production
o C) Uterine contraction
o D) Immune protection
Answer: B – Milk production
7. Which nutrient is lowest in human breast milk compared to cow’s
milk?
o A) Protein
o B) Fat
o C) Carbohydrate
o D) Calcium
Answer: A – Protein
8. Which reflex helps the infant find the breast?
o A) Moro reflex
o B) Rooting reflex
o C) Sucking reflex
o D) Grasp reflex
Answer: B – Rooting reflex
9. Which factor most influences milk supply?
o A) Maternal diet
o B) Frequency of breastfeeding
o C) Infant age
o D) Maternal hydration
Answer: B – Frequency of breastfeeding
10. Which counseling approach is most effective in lactation
support?
o A) Directive advice
o B) Active listening
o C) Persuasion
o D) Instruction only
Answer: B – Active listening
11. Which fatty acid in breast milk supports brain development?
o A) Linoleic acid
, o B) DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
o C) Oleic acid
o D) Palmitic acid
Answer: B – DHA
12. Which maternal condition is NOT a contraindication to
breastfeeding?
o A) HIV (without treatment)
o B) Active tuberculosis
o C) Mastitis
o D) Use of chemotherapy drugs
Answer: C – Mastitis
Explanation: Mastitis is treated while continuing breastfeeding.
13. Which sign indicates effective breastfeeding?
o A) Infant sleeps >6 hours
o B) Audible swallowing
o C) Maternal breast pain
o D) Infant crying after feeds
Answer: B – Audible swallowing
14. Which part of the breast produces milk?
o A) Areola
o B) Alveoli
o C) Lactiferous sinus
o D) Nipple
Answer: B – Alveoli
15. Which mineral is present in low amounts in breast milk but
highly bioavailable?
o A) Iron
o B) Calcium
o C) Sodium
o D) Potassium
Answer: A – Iron
