CLC Exam 2025–2026 (Certified Lactation Counselor)
QUESTION 1
Type: Multiple Choice
Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk ejection (let-down reflex)?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Prolactin
D. Oxytocin
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Oxytocin, released from the posterior pituitary in response to nipple stimulation,
causes the alveolar cells in the breast to contract and eject milk through the ducts.
QUESTION 2
Type: Multiple Choice
The first milk produced after childbirth is called:
A. Transitional milk
B. Mature milk
C. Colostrum
D. Foremilk
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, protein, and fat-soluble vitamins that provide
passive immunity to the newborn.
QUESTION 3
Type: True/False
Prolactin levels rise primarily in response to infant suckling.
CORRECT ANSWER: True
,RATIONALE: Prolactin levels increase during and after feeding; frequent nursing maintains milk
production.
QUESTION 4
Type: Multiple Choice
Which of the following best defines exclusive breastfeeding?
A. Feeding breast milk and water only
B. Feeding breast milk plus solid foods
C. Feeding only human milk, no other liquids or solids
D. Feeding breast milk and formula alternately
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Exclusive breastfeeding means the infant receives only breast milk and prescribed
vitamins or medicines, nothing else.
QUESTION 5
Type: Short Answer
At what age does the World Health Organization recommend introducing complementary
foods?
CORRECT ANSWER: At six months of age.
RATIONALE: After six months, energy and nutrient needs surpass what breast milk alone
provides.
QUESTION 6
Type: Multiple Choice
A common cause of nipple pain during breastfeeding is:
A. Ovarian cysts
B. Poor latch technique
C. Excessive let-down
D. Overhydration
CORRECT ANSWER: B
,RATIONALE: Improper latch can cause friction and trauma to the nipple, leading to pain or
cracking.
QUESTION 7
Type: True/False
Cluster feeding is a normal newborn behavior characterized by frequent feeding episodes within
a short time period.
CORRECT ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: This pattern often precedes growth spurts and helps boost maternal milk supply.
QUESTION 8
Type: Multiple Choice
The duration of typical transitional milk production lasts approximately:
A. 1–2 days
B. 2–5 days
C. 7–14 days
D. 3 weeks
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Transitional milk bridges colostrum and mature milk, usually produced from day 5
to day 14 postpartum.
QUESTION 9
Type: Short Answer
What is the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding according to the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)?
CORRECT ANSWER: The first 6 months of life.
RATIONALE: The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by continued
breastfeeding along with complementary foods for at least one year.
QUESTION 10
, Type: Multiple Choice
Which of the following nutrients is lowest in human milk compared to cow’s milk?
A. Fat
B. Carbohydrate
C. Water
D. Protein
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Human milk has lower protein but higher lactose; this supports optimal infant
digestion and kidney maturity.
QUESTION 11
Type: Multiple Choice
Which reflex assists a newborn in locating the breast?
A. Grasp reflex
B. Moro reflex
C. Rooting reflex
D. Babinski reflex
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The rooting reflex causes a baby to turn toward the side of cheek stimulation, aiding
in finding the nipple.
QUESTION 12
Type: True/False
Frequent breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of developing breast cancer.
CORRECT ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Lactation decreases lifetime estrogen exposure, which is associated with a lower
incidence of breast and ovarian cancers.
QUESTION 13
QUESTION 1
Type: Multiple Choice
Which hormone is primarily responsible for milk ejection (let-down reflex)?
A. Estrogen
B. Progesterone
C. Prolactin
D. Oxytocin
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Oxytocin, released from the posterior pituitary in response to nipple stimulation,
causes the alveolar cells in the breast to contract and eject milk through the ducts.
QUESTION 2
Type: Multiple Choice
The first milk produced after childbirth is called:
A. Transitional milk
B. Mature milk
C. Colostrum
D. Foremilk
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, protein, and fat-soluble vitamins that provide
passive immunity to the newborn.
QUESTION 3
Type: True/False
Prolactin levels rise primarily in response to infant suckling.
CORRECT ANSWER: True
,RATIONALE: Prolactin levels increase during and after feeding; frequent nursing maintains milk
production.
QUESTION 4
Type: Multiple Choice
Which of the following best defines exclusive breastfeeding?
A. Feeding breast milk and water only
B. Feeding breast milk plus solid foods
C. Feeding only human milk, no other liquids or solids
D. Feeding breast milk and formula alternately
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Exclusive breastfeeding means the infant receives only breast milk and prescribed
vitamins or medicines, nothing else.
QUESTION 5
Type: Short Answer
At what age does the World Health Organization recommend introducing complementary
foods?
CORRECT ANSWER: At six months of age.
RATIONALE: After six months, energy and nutrient needs surpass what breast milk alone
provides.
QUESTION 6
Type: Multiple Choice
A common cause of nipple pain during breastfeeding is:
A. Ovarian cysts
B. Poor latch technique
C. Excessive let-down
D. Overhydration
CORRECT ANSWER: B
,RATIONALE: Improper latch can cause friction and trauma to the nipple, leading to pain or
cracking.
QUESTION 7
Type: True/False
Cluster feeding is a normal newborn behavior characterized by frequent feeding episodes within
a short time period.
CORRECT ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: This pattern often precedes growth spurts and helps boost maternal milk supply.
QUESTION 8
Type: Multiple Choice
The duration of typical transitional milk production lasts approximately:
A. 1–2 days
B. 2–5 days
C. 7–14 days
D. 3 weeks
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Transitional milk bridges colostrum and mature milk, usually produced from day 5
to day 14 postpartum.
QUESTION 9
Type: Short Answer
What is the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding according to the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)?
CORRECT ANSWER: The first 6 months of life.
RATIONALE: The AAP recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, followed by continued
breastfeeding along with complementary foods for at least one year.
QUESTION 10
, Type: Multiple Choice
Which of the following nutrients is lowest in human milk compared to cow’s milk?
A. Fat
B. Carbohydrate
C. Water
D. Protein
CORRECT ANSWER: D
RATIONALE: Human milk has lower protein but higher lactose; this supports optimal infant
digestion and kidney maturity.
QUESTION 11
Type: Multiple Choice
Which reflex assists a newborn in locating the breast?
A. Grasp reflex
B. Moro reflex
C. Rooting reflex
D. Babinski reflex
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The rooting reflex causes a baby to turn toward the side of cheek stimulation, aiding
in finding the nipple.
QUESTION 12
Type: True/False
Frequent breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of developing breast cancer.
CORRECT ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Lactation decreases lifetime estrogen exposure, which is associated with a lower
incidence of breast and ovarian cancers.
QUESTION 13
