MARYLAND LACTATION CONSULTANT
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk
production?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Rationale: Prolactin stimulates alveolar cells in the breast to
produce milk.
Correct answer: B. Prolactin
2. Which hormone is responsible for milk ejection (let-down
reflex)?
A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. Insulin
D. Cortisol
Rationale: Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells
leading to milk release.
Correct answer: B. Oxytocin
,3. The ideal sign of a good latch includes:
A. Clicking sounds during feeding
B. Shallow latch on the nipple only
C. Baby’s lips flanged outward with wide mouth
D. Mother feeling sharp nipple pain
Rationale: A deep latch with flanged lips ensures effective milk
transfer and comfort.
Correct answer: C. Baby’s lips flanged outward with wide mouth
4. Colostrum is best described as:
A. Mature milk rich in fat
B. Early milk rich in antibodies and protein
C. Formula substitute
D. Low nutrient watery milk
Rationale: Colostrum is the first milk, high in immunoglobulins
and protective factors.
Correct answer: B. Early milk rich in antibodies and protein
5. A common cause of poor milk transfer is:
A. Frequent feeding
B. Incorrect latch
C. Skin-to-skin contact
D. Rooming-in
Rationale: Poor latch prevents effective milk removal from the
,breast.
Correct answer: B. Incorrect latch
6. Breastfeeding jaundice is most commonly related to:
A. Excess protein intake
B. Inadequate milk intake
C. Overhydration
D. Excess formula use
Rationale: Insufficient intake leads to reduced bilirubin
excretion.
Correct answer: B. Inadequate milk intake
7. Foremilk is characterized as:
A. High fat, late feeding milk
B. Thin, lactose-rich early feeding milk
C. Colostrum only
D. Artificial milk
Rationale: Foremilk is more watery and quenches thirst initially.
Correct answer: B. Thin, lactose-rich early feeding milk
8. Hindmilk is important because it contains:
A. Less energy
B. More fat and calories
C. No nutrients
D. Only water
, Rationale: Hindmilk is richer in fat, supporting weight gain.
Correct answer: B. More fat and calories
9. A sign of adequate milk intake in a newborn is:
A. Crying after feeds
B. Fewer than 3 wet diapers/day after day 5
C. 6–8 wet diapers per day after day 5
D. Constant sleepiness only
Rationale: Adequate urine output reflects sufficient intake.
Correct answer: C. 6–8 wet diapers per day after day 5
10. Cluster feeding is best described as:
A. Feeding once per day
B. Feeding at long fixed intervals
C. Frequent feeding in short periods
D. Bottle feeding only
Rationale: Cluster feeding is normal in growth spurts.
Correct answer: C. Frequent feeding in short periods
11. Mastitis is most commonly caused by:
A. Viral infection
B. Milk stasis and bacterial entry
C. High calcium intake
D. Excess hydration
Rationale: Blocked ducts with bacterial infection lead to
CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk
production?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
Rationale: Prolactin stimulates alveolar cells in the breast to
produce milk.
Correct answer: B. Prolactin
2. Which hormone is responsible for milk ejection (let-down
reflex)?
A. Prolactin
B. Oxytocin
C. Insulin
D. Cortisol
Rationale: Oxytocin causes contraction of myoepithelial cells
leading to milk release.
Correct answer: B. Oxytocin
,3. The ideal sign of a good latch includes:
A. Clicking sounds during feeding
B. Shallow latch on the nipple only
C. Baby’s lips flanged outward with wide mouth
D. Mother feeling sharp nipple pain
Rationale: A deep latch with flanged lips ensures effective milk
transfer and comfort.
Correct answer: C. Baby’s lips flanged outward with wide mouth
4. Colostrum is best described as:
A. Mature milk rich in fat
B. Early milk rich in antibodies and protein
C. Formula substitute
D. Low nutrient watery milk
Rationale: Colostrum is the first milk, high in immunoglobulins
and protective factors.
Correct answer: B. Early milk rich in antibodies and protein
5. A common cause of poor milk transfer is:
A. Frequent feeding
B. Incorrect latch
C. Skin-to-skin contact
D. Rooming-in
Rationale: Poor latch prevents effective milk removal from the
,breast.
Correct answer: B. Incorrect latch
6. Breastfeeding jaundice is most commonly related to:
A. Excess protein intake
B. Inadequate milk intake
C. Overhydration
D. Excess formula use
Rationale: Insufficient intake leads to reduced bilirubin
excretion.
Correct answer: B. Inadequate milk intake
7. Foremilk is characterized as:
A. High fat, late feeding milk
B. Thin, lactose-rich early feeding milk
C. Colostrum only
D. Artificial milk
Rationale: Foremilk is more watery and quenches thirst initially.
Correct answer: B. Thin, lactose-rich early feeding milk
8. Hindmilk is important because it contains:
A. Less energy
B. More fat and calories
C. No nutrients
D. Only water
, Rationale: Hindmilk is richer in fat, supporting weight gain.
Correct answer: B. More fat and calories
9. A sign of adequate milk intake in a newborn is:
A. Crying after feeds
B. Fewer than 3 wet diapers/day after day 5
C. 6–8 wet diapers per day after day 5
D. Constant sleepiness only
Rationale: Adequate urine output reflects sufficient intake.
Correct answer: C. 6–8 wet diapers per day after day 5
10. Cluster feeding is best described as:
A. Feeding once per day
B. Feeding at long fixed intervals
C. Frequent feeding in short periods
D. Bottle feeding only
Rationale: Cluster feeding is normal in growth spurts.
Correct answer: C. Frequent feeding in short periods
11. Mastitis is most commonly caused by:
A. Viral infection
B. Milk stasis and bacterial entry
C. High calcium intake
D. Excess hydration
Rationale: Blocked ducts with bacterial infection lead to
