Question

On the second day of life, minutes after drinking 2½ ounces of formula, a newborn regurgitates about half an ounce. The mother states, My baby spits up after every feeding. What should the nurse do next?

A. Reassure the mother that many babies spit up some milk at first
B. Suggest that she hold her baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding
C. Feed a small amount of fresh formula when the baby returns to the nursery
D. Teach the mother how to prop the baby in an infant seat for 1 hour after feeding

Answer 1

The nurse should reassure the mother and suggest holding the baby upright after feeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should

1. Reassure the mother that many babies spit up some milk at first. It is normal for newborns to spit up small amounts of milk after feeding. This is because their digestive system is still developing and may not be able to handle large amounts of milk.
2. Suggest that she hold her baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding. Holding the baby upright after feeding can help prevent regurgitation and reduce the chances of spit up.

Overall, it is important for the nurse to educate the mother about normal baby behavior and provide reassurance.