International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

Which condition occurs in the first week of life and is resolved by ensuring the baby gets sufficient milk?

1. Breast milk jaundice

2. Breastfeeding jaundice

3. Newborn jaundice

4. Physiological jaundice

The correct answer is: Breastfeeding jaundice

The condition that occurs in the first week of life and can be resolved by ensuring the baby receives sufficient milk is breastfeeding jaundice. This condition arises when a newborn does not receive enough breast milk, leading to insufficient caloric intake and dehydration, which can affect the liver's ability to process bilirubin efficiently. During this period, bilirubin levels may rise, resulting in jaundice. Ensuring that the baby is breastfeeding effectively and receiving adequate milk can help in alleviating this jaundice by promoting hydration and efficient bilirubin clearance. This is particularly crucial in the early days of a baby's life, as breastfeeding not only fulfills nutritional needs but also aids in the removal of bilirubin from circulation. Other forms of jaundice, such as physiological jaundice and breast milk jaundice, have different underlying mechanisms and timelines. Physiological jaundice typically occurs due to the normal breakdown of red blood cells and liver immaturity, while breast milk jaundice occurs later, often after the first week, as it relates to substances in the breast milk that may inhibit bilirubin conjugation. Newborn jaundice is a broad term that can encompass various types of jaundice but does not specifically address the issue of insufficient breastfeeding leading to elevated bilirubin levels.