Certified Lactation Consultant Practice Exam

When addressing hypogalactia, or low milk production, encouraging more frequent breastfeeding is a key intervention. Increasing the frequency of feedings helps stimulate the mother's milk production. Lactation works on a supply-and-demand basis; the more the baby breastfeeds, the more milk is produced. As the baby suckles more often, it sends signals to the mother’s body to produce larger quantities of milk over time.

In contrast, increasing fluid intake, while essential for overall hydration, does not directly increase milk supply if effective breastfeeding practices are not in place. Reducing breastfeeding frequency would likely lead to decreased milk production, as it provides less stimulation for the mother's body to create milk. Formula supplementation can serve a purpose, particularly in cases where immediate nutritional needs are critical, but it can inadvertently reduce the baby’s demand for breast milk, which may further complicate the issue of low supply. Thus, encouraging more frequent breastfeeding is the most effective strategy to enhance milk production in situations of hypogalactia.