Question

The nurse is preparing a prenatal class about infant feeding methods. The maternal nutritional requirements for breastfeeding and formula-feeding will be discussed. What statement should the nurse include?

A. Breastfeeding requires a continued high intake of protein and calcium.
B. Formula-feeding mothers should protect their health with a lot of calcium.
C. Producing breast milk requires calories, but any source of food is fine.
D. Formula-feeding mothers need a high protein intake to avoid fatigue.

Answer 1

The nurse should include that breastfeeding requires a continued high intake of protein and calcium, as lactation increases maternal nutritional requirements significantly.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement the nurse should include is: A. Breastfeeding requires a continued high intake of protein and calcium. While breastfeeding, maternal nutritional requirements increase significantly because lactation necessitates additional calories. The production of milk having an energy value of 80 Kcal means the mother needs to consume 100 Kcal due to the efficiency of milk production, requiring a diet increase of about 720 Kcal/day to meet the demands of lactation. Additionally, protein and calcium intake is critical during breastfeeding to ensure the health of both the mother and the infant, supporting the synthesis of breast milk rich in these nutrients essential for the infant's growth and development. Furthermore, it's not any food source that is adequate but nutrition-rich food that supports the increased energy and nutrient demands.