International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What is the final stage of lactation?

1. Involution

2. Hyperthelia

3. Lactogenesis

4. Colostrum Production

The correct answer is: Involution

The final stage of lactation is characterized by the process of involution. During involution, the breast tissue undergoes changes that lead to a reduction in glandular tissue and a return to a non-lactating state following weaning. This stage is essential as it indicates the completion of the lactation cycle and helps to restore the breast's architecture after milk production has ceased. Involution involves a reduction in milk-producing cells and the involution of the secretory lobules, which reflects the body's adjustment following the end of breastfeeding. It's a natural physiological response to the changing needs of the infant, who will no longer be dependent on breast milk. The other options represent stages or phenomena associated with lactation that do not mark its conclusion. Hyperthelia is a condition related to the presence of extra nipple tissue, lactogenesis refers to the stages of milk production, and colostrum production occurs during the late pregnancy and early postpartum period, but none of these signify the end of lactation itself. Thus, involution is integral as it represents the transition from an active lactating state to a non-lactating one, marking the final phase in the lactation process.