Final answer:
To prevent mastitis while breastfeeding, the nurse should advise the mother to massage distended areas during nursing to promote milk flow and prevent duct clogging. Cleaning nipples with soap and discarding milk are not recommended preventative measures for mastitis. Continuing to feed or express milk is generally advised to maintain milk flow upon signs of mastitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When planning care for a postpartum client who plans to breast-feed, an important piece of information to include in the teaching plan to prevent the development of mastitis is to massage distended areas as the infant nurses. This helps ensure that the milk is being drained from these areas to prevent clogging of the milk ducts which can lead to infection or inflammation, commonly referred to as mastitis. Additionally, it is beneficial to ensure the infant is positioned properly and is latching well to also help prevent mastitis.
Cleaning the nipples with mild soap is not necessary and may cause skin irritation or dryness. The idea is to keep the nipple area as natural as possible, avoiding substances that could potentially interfere with the baby's ability to latch or cause irritation to the mother's skin.
Lastly, expressing and discarding milk at the first signs of mastitis is not generally recommended. Instead, it is usually encouraged to continue nursing or expressing milk to maintain milk flow, and seeking medical advice if signs of mastitis occur. However, in some cases, if infection is confirmed, appropriate treatment would be recommended.