Question

During a home visit, the mother of a 1-week-old infant son tells the nurse that she is very concerned

about whether her baby is getting enough breast milk. The nurse would tell this mother that at 1 week of age
a well-nourished newborn should exhibit which of the following?
a. Weight gain sufficient to reach his birthweight
b. A minimum of three bowel movements each day
c. Approximately 10 to 12 wet diapers each day
d. Breastfeeding at a frequency of every 4 hours or about 6 times each day

Answer 1

At 1 week of age, a well-nourished newborn should exhibit at least three bowel movements each day, which is a sign of adequate breast milk intake. Weight loss after birth is normal, and the infant should return to birth weight after the first week.

Step-by-step explanation:

In assessing whether a 1-week-old infant is receiving enough breast milk, it is important to observe a variety of indicators rather than relying solely on weight gain. During the first week of life, it is normal for an infant to lose a small amount of weight before starting to gain up to 20 g (0.7 oz) per day. However, at 1 week of age a well-nourished newborn should exhibit at least three bowel movements each day, which indicates that the baby is digesting and processing the milk effectively. Additionally, looking for approximately 10 to 12 wet diapers each day can indicate adequate hydration, which is crucial for a neonate's health. Breastfeeding frequency can also vary, with some well-nourished infants feeding every 2 to 3 hours, rather than strictly every 4 hours.

Therefore, the answer to the question is b. A minimum of three bowel movements each day. It's important for the healthcare provider to emphasize the normalcy of initial postpartum weight loss and educate the mother on signs of adequate feeding and hydration.