PCE CERTIFIED BREASTFEEDING COUNSELOR EXAM 20262026 ACTUAL EXAM 150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+

PCE CERTIFIED BREASTFEEDING COUNSELOR EXAM 2026-

2026 ACTUAL EXAM 150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT

DETAILED ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+

What is the normal weight loss for the infant during the first few days? -

ANSWER- 5-7% in first 24 hours

Below 10?ter that

How many calories does a lactating mom need? - ANSWER- 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? - ANSWER- Vitamin B12

What types of foods (or diet) should lactating moms consume? -

ANSWER- 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?rbs, 15% protein, 20-30% healthy fats

How much vitamin D does a baby need? When do they need to be

supplemented? - ANSWER- 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? - ANSWER- In infants

with Down's Syndrome or a Cleft Lip/Palate

What medications are contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers? -

ANSWER- 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? - ANSWER- 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? - ANSWER- They increase during pregnancy and then decrease

after birth.

How many stages of the "Magic Hour" are there? What are they? -

ANSWER- 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? - ANSWER- 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.

Standards of of practice for CBC - ANSWER- - Help families define

and achieve goals

-Problem solving: Assessment, plan, implementation, evaluation

-Education and counseling

-Professionalism

-Legal considerations

Where is the milk produced? - ANSWER- In the alveoli

How long after cessation of breast feeding does milk production

(involution) stop? - ANSWER- Approximately 40 days

What are the common signs of milk "let down"? - ANSWER- Tingling,

warmth, fullness, dripping and contractions

How is preterm milk different than term milk? - ANSWER- It is higher

in protein and immune factors (because the body KNOWS this is what

the preemie needs!)

What component of breast milk is the most variable? - ANSWERLipids

What component of human milk is destroyed by freezing? - ANSWERMacrophages

When is the side-lying position helpful? - ANSWER- 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? - ANSWER- The laid back position (aka the biological position)

When is the Australian/Saddle position helpful? - ANSWER- When

moms are experiencing active let-down

What is the dancer hand? - ANSWER- 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? - ANSWER- Swallowing - harsh "Ca"

sound; air from nose felt, neck movement visualized