International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What type of weaning is indicated when nursing only occurs at specific times of the day?

1. Child-led

2. Parent-led

3. Self-weaning

4. Gradual weaning

The correct answer is: Parent-led

The correct answer is parent-led weaning. This approach involves the parent or caregiver taking an active role in the weaning process by controlling when the child is allowed to nurse. When nursing is limited to specific times of the day, it reflects a strategy where caregiving decisions dictate the nursing schedule, which aligns with a parent-led approach. In parent-led weaning, caregivers can create a more structured environment that may help both the parent and child adjust to changes in nursing frequency. This method can be particularly useful for parents seeking to phase out breastfeeding while still providing comfort during select times. While self-weaning implies that the child naturally decreases nursing on their own in response to their own readiness and developmental changes, it differs from a parent-led approach where the caregiver is likely implementing specific times for nursing. Child-led weaning emphasizes allowing the child to determine the pace and timing of weaning based on their cues, and thus would not typically involve scheduled nursing times set by the parent. Gradual weaning, while it might suggest a slow reduction in feeds, does not specifically imply that nursing only occurs at particular times, as it could involve a decrease in the number of feedings without establishing a strict schedule.