Final Answer:
This minimizes mastitis by preventing milk accumulation and supporting optimal breastfeeding practices for maternal breast health.The correct answer is c) Ensuring complete breast emptying.
Step-by-step explanation:
Minimizing mastitis, inflammation of the breast tissue often associated with breastfeeding, involves ensuring complete breast emptying (option c). When the breasts are fully emptied during breastfeeding, it helps prevent the accumulation of milk and decreases the risk of infection. This process also supports optimal milk production and flow, contributing to the overall health and comfort of the breastfeeding mother.
Complete breast emptying is achieved through effective breastfeeding techniques, ensuring that the baby is latched correctly, and feeds for an adequate duration on each breast. When milk is efficiently removed, the risk of blocked milk ducts and subsequent infection, which can lead to mastitis, is reduced. This preventive measure aligns with the perinatal nurse's role in supporting breastfeeding mothers, emphasizing the importance of proper breastfeeding practices to maintain breast health.
Contrary to option a (Avoiding breastfeeding), avoiding breastfeeding can lead to engorgement and incomplete emptying, increasing the likelihood of mastitis. Using a breast pump only (option b) may not be as effective as a baby's latch in achieving complete breast emptying. Applying ice packs to the breasts (option d) may help alleviate discomfort but does not address the underlying issue of incomplete emptying. Therefore, ensuring complete breast emptying emerges as a key strategy in the perinatal nurse's guidance to minimize the risk of mastitis during lactation.