International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

Why is the presence of gaps between lactocytes in the breasts not usually a problem for infants in the early postpartum period?

1. The infant ingests relatively little colostrum

2. The gaps close quickly

3. Infants have larger stomachs than expected

4. There is minimal medication in colostrum

The correct answer is: The infant ingests relatively little colostrum

The presence of gaps between lactocytes in the breasts does not typically present an issue for infants in the early postpartum period mainly because infants consume relatively small amounts of colostrum. Colostrum, which is produced in the first few days after birth, is highly concentrated and nutrient-rich, even in small volumes. During this early phase, the infant's stomach size is quite small—around the size of a marble on day one, gradually increasing in capacity over the next several days. As a result, while the gaps between lactocytes may influence the mechanical process of milk transfer, the limited volume of colostrum that infants require for nourishment during the initial days after birth effectively mitigates any potential issues stemming from those gaps. The other aspects of lactation during this period are well-adapted to ensure that infants receive adequate nutrition despite the limited volume, thus highlighting the importance of colostrum's composition rather than the physical structure of milk-producing cells.