IBCLC STUD GUIDE EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔What is the tonic neck reflex? - ✔✔When a baby's head is turned to one side, the
arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends up at the elbow
✔✔What is the Trigeminal nerve (V) essential for? - ✔✔Jaw movement
✔✔What is the Facial nerve (VII) essential for? - ✔✔Lips and facial movement
✔✔What is the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) essential for? - ✔✔swallowing
✔✔What is the vagus nerve (x) essential for? - ✔✔swallowing and vocalization
✔✔What is the Hypoglossal nerve (XII) essential for? - ✔✔tongue movement
✔✔What are the components of a normal palate shape? - ✔✔should have a wide, "U"
shape and be flexible and moveable, with the tongue resting lightly against it
✔✔What are the three main abnormalities we look for in palate shape? - ✔✔1. High
palate
2. cleft lip/palate
3. submucosal cleft
✔✔name 3 of the difficulties in feeding caused by a high palate? - ✔✔difficulties with
latching, initiation of sucking reflex, and overall milk transfer
✔✔name 3 difficulties in feeding caused by a cleft lip? - ✔✔milk spillage, chocking, and
gagging
✔✔name 3 difficulties in feeding caused by a cleft palate - ✔✔prolonged feedings,
fatigue, nasal regurgitation
✔✔what is a submucosal cleft? - ✔✔a condition where the palate appears intact on the
surface, but the underlying muscles and tissues are not fully fused, leaving a cleft or
gap hidden beneath the mucous membrane
✔✔name 3 difficulties in feeding caused by a submucosal cleft - ✔✔prolonged feeds,
nasal regurgitation, and chronic ear infections
✔✔what does SGA (small for gestational age) describe? - ✔✔below the 10th percentile
✔✔what does AGA (average for gestational age) describe? - ✔✔between the 10-90th
percentile
, ✔✔what does LGA (large for gestational age) describe? - ✔✔above the 90th percentile
✔✔what does very low birthweight describe? - ✔✔less than 1500 g (3.3 lbs)
✔✔what does low birthweight describe? - ✔✔less than 2500 g (5.5 lbs)
✔✔What is the typical feeding behavior of a term infant? (4) - ✔✔nurses 8-12 times/day,
audible swallows, relaxed fists, seems content in between feeds
✔✔What is the typical feeding behavior of a late term infant? - ✔✔may feed like a term
baby at first but fatigues easily or struggles with intake
✔✔What is the typical feeding behavior of a preterm infant? - ✔✔poor tone,
uncoordinated suck, may need pacing and alternate feeding methods
✔✔what is the daily milk intake of a day 1 infant? - ✔✔5-10 mLs/feed
✔✔what is the daily milk intake of a day 3 infant? - ✔✔15-30 mLs/feed
✔✔what is the daily milk intake of a 1 week old infant? - ✔✔750-900 mL (23-30 oz)/day
✔✔what is the composition of colostrum? - ✔✔high in protein, low in fat, rich in
antibodies
✔✔what is the composition of mature milk? - ✔✔high fat, lactose, low in protein
✔✔what is the composition of preterm milk? - ✔✔higher in protein and calories
✔✔what are some characteristics of donor milk? - ✔✔pasteurized, loses some
immunologic properties
✔✔How many extra calories does lactating mother need per day? - ✔✔about 450-500
extra calories/day
✔✔what is an important supplement for vegan/vegetarian mother? - ✔✔B12
✔✔what is an appropriate rule for alcohol when breastfeeding? - ✔✔okay in
moderation, what 2 hours in between drinks
✔✔what is a safe threshold for caffeine while lactating? - ✔✔less than 300 mg/day
✔✔what is an absolute infant contraindication? - ✔✔galactosemia
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔What is the tonic neck reflex? - ✔✔When a baby's head is turned to one side, the
arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends up at the elbow
✔✔What is the Trigeminal nerve (V) essential for? - ✔✔Jaw movement
✔✔What is the Facial nerve (VII) essential for? - ✔✔Lips and facial movement
✔✔What is the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) essential for? - ✔✔swallowing
✔✔What is the vagus nerve (x) essential for? - ✔✔swallowing and vocalization
✔✔What is the Hypoglossal nerve (XII) essential for? - ✔✔tongue movement
✔✔What are the components of a normal palate shape? - ✔✔should have a wide, "U"
shape and be flexible and moveable, with the tongue resting lightly against it
✔✔What are the three main abnormalities we look for in palate shape? - ✔✔1. High
palate
2. cleft lip/palate
3. submucosal cleft
✔✔name 3 of the difficulties in feeding caused by a high palate? - ✔✔difficulties with
latching, initiation of sucking reflex, and overall milk transfer
✔✔name 3 difficulties in feeding caused by a cleft lip? - ✔✔milk spillage, chocking, and
gagging
✔✔name 3 difficulties in feeding caused by a cleft palate - ✔✔prolonged feedings,
fatigue, nasal regurgitation
✔✔what is a submucosal cleft? - ✔✔a condition where the palate appears intact on the
surface, but the underlying muscles and tissues are not fully fused, leaving a cleft or
gap hidden beneath the mucous membrane
✔✔name 3 difficulties in feeding caused by a submucosal cleft - ✔✔prolonged feeds,
nasal regurgitation, and chronic ear infections
✔✔what does SGA (small for gestational age) describe? - ✔✔below the 10th percentile
✔✔what does AGA (average for gestational age) describe? - ✔✔between the 10-90th
percentile
, ✔✔what does LGA (large for gestational age) describe? - ✔✔above the 90th percentile
✔✔what does very low birthweight describe? - ✔✔less than 1500 g (3.3 lbs)
✔✔what does low birthweight describe? - ✔✔less than 2500 g (5.5 lbs)
✔✔What is the typical feeding behavior of a term infant? (4) - ✔✔nurses 8-12 times/day,
audible swallows, relaxed fists, seems content in between feeds
✔✔What is the typical feeding behavior of a late term infant? - ✔✔may feed like a term
baby at first but fatigues easily or struggles with intake
✔✔What is the typical feeding behavior of a preterm infant? - ✔✔poor tone,
uncoordinated suck, may need pacing and alternate feeding methods
✔✔what is the daily milk intake of a day 1 infant? - ✔✔5-10 mLs/feed
✔✔what is the daily milk intake of a day 3 infant? - ✔✔15-30 mLs/feed
✔✔what is the daily milk intake of a 1 week old infant? - ✔✔750-900 mL (23-30 oz)/day
✔✔what is the composition of colostrum? - ✔✔high in protein, low in fat, rich in
antibodies
✔✔what is the composition of mature milk? - ✔✔high fat, lactose, low in protein
✔✔what is the composition of preterm milk? - ✔✔higher in protein and calories
✔✔what are some characteristics of donor milk? - ✔✔pasteurized, loses some
immunologic properties
✔✔How many extra calories does lactating mother need per day? - ✔✔about 450-500
extra calories/day
✔✔what is an important supplement for vegan/vegetarian mother? - ✔✔B12
✔✔what is an appropriate rule for alcohol when breastfeeding? - ✔✔okay in
moderation, what 2 hours in between drinks
✔✔what is a safe threshold for caffeine while lactating? - ✔✔less than 300 mg/day
✔✔what is an absolute infant contraindication? - ✔✔galactosemia
