PCE Certified Breastfeeding Counselor Exam Study Guide Questions and Answers

PCE Certified Breastfeeding Counselor Exam Study Guide Questions and Answers What component of breast milk is the most variable? Lipids What component of human milk is destroyed by freezing? Macrophages When is the side-lying position helpful? In moms that are sleepy or have lacerations/repairs that put pressure and cause discomfort on the perineal area What position is centered around the infant attaching themselves to the breast? The laid back position (aka the biological position) When is the Australian/Saddle position helpful? When moms are experiencing active let-down What is the dancer hand? Mom would have hand below the breast in a "U" shape; this is good for infants who need good jaw support What are signs of milk transfer? Swallowing - harsh "Ca" sound; air from nose felt, neck movement visualized What are the stool transition colors? Black to green to yellow What is the normal weight loss for the infant during the first few days? 5-7% in first 24 hours Below 10% after that How many calories does a lactating mom need? Moms need approximately 500 extra calories/day when breastfeeding. Range is between 1,800 and 2,700 with most moms consuming around 2,200! What type of supplement do most lactating vegans/bariatric patients take? Vitamin B12 What types of foods (or diet) should lactating moms consume? Moms should consume a diet of normal foods - they should eat when they're hungry and drink when they're thirsty. The MyPlate is a good example - 50% carbs, 15% protein, 20-30% healthy fats How much vitamin D does a baby need? When do they need to be supplemented? Babies need 400 IU of Vitamin D per day. They should be supplemented if moms are deficient; there is vitamin D in formula, so if they are being formula-fed they do NOT require additional vitamin D supplementation. When would a Habermen feeder be indicated? In infants with Down's Syndrome or a Cleft Lip/Palate What medications are contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers? Antimetabolite drugs or chemotherapy, radioisotopes (not IV contrast dye) and illicit drugs What is the Tail of Spence? What are the symptoms? How do you treat it? The Tail of Spence refers to mammary gland tissue that extends to the axillary area that is connected to the milk ducts. Symptoms include swollen armpits and even mastitis. Moms can apply cold compresses to the area and take Motrin/Tylenol as needed for discomfort. What happens to estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy and after birth? They increase during pregnancy and then decrease after birth. How many stages of the "Magic Hour" are there? What are they? There are nine stages of the "Magic Hour" or "Golden Hour," they are: 1. Birth cry 2. Relaxation 3. Awakening 4. Activity 5. Rest 6. Crawling 7. Familiarization 8. Suckling 9. Sleep What is the stomach size of the baby at birth? The baby's stomach is only the size of a marble, button or grape at birth. It can only hold 1-7 mL or 1-2 teaspoons at this time.