Question

The nurse instructs a group of expectant parents about the advantages of breastfeeding. The nurse intervenes if an expectant parent makes which statement?

a.) my baby will grow faster and sleep more with breast milk
b.) my baby will receive protective immune factors from the breast milk
c.) my baby will not need any other foods or milk until four months of age
d.) at first, I may need my baby about 10 times per day

Answer 1

The nurse should intervene if a parent believes their baby will not need additional food or milk until four months old; this contradicts recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months. Breast milk changes composition from early lactation to a single feeding, providing immune protection and full nutrition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse would need to intervene if an expectant parent made the statement "my baby will not need any other foods or milk until four months of age." This is because current recommendations by health authorities suggest that exclusive breastfeeding should continue for about the first 6 months of life. After this period, infants should start receiving complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed.

Breast milk undergoes changes during the first days of lactation and within a single feeding. Colostrum, the milk produced in the first few days postpartum, is rich in immunoglobulins and vital for boosting the newborn's immune system. As lactation continues, the milk changes composition from foremilk to hindmilk during a feeding, with foremilk quenching thirst and hindmilk providing higher fat content to satisfy hunger.

It is essential for lactating mothers to understand that breast milk supplies all necessary hydration and nutrients for optimal growth and development during the first 4-6 months of life. Additionally, breastfeeding stimulates myoepithelial cells to squeeze milk from alveoli due to oxytocin release triggered by suckling, thereby providing both a food source and comfort to the infant.