Final answer:
The nurse should instruct the postpartum client to ensure the infant's mouth covers both the nipple and areola during breastfeeding. This practice ensures effective milk transfer and prevents nipple damage. No soaps or lotions are required due to the areola's natural protective secretions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When teaching a postpartum client about breastfeeding, the nurse should include the instruction that it's essential the infant's mouth covers both the nipple and the areola during feeding. This ensures efficient sucking and milk transfer from the mother to the infant. It also helps prevent nipple soreness and injury that can result from improper latching. While lotions and soaps can irritate the nipples, the areola naturally secretes an oily fluid that lubricates and protects the nipple during breastfeeding, making additional products unnecessary.
It's also advised to alternate the starting breast with each feeding to ensure that both breasts are emptied regularly, which supports adequate milk production. The process of lactation is responsive to demand; the more the baby feeds, the more milk is produced through positive feedback. This also provides evolutionary benefits, as it ensures the infant has a consistent supply of milk based on its needs.