A client who delivered this morning tells the nurse that she plans to breastfeed her baby. The nurse is aware that successful breastfeeding is most dependent on the:
A. Mother’s educational level
B. Infant’s birth weight
C. Size of the mother’s breast
D. Mother’s desire to breastfeed
Correct Answer: D. Mother’s desire to breastfeed
Success with breastfeeding depends on many factors, but the most dependable reason for success is desire and willingness to continue breastfeeding until the infant and mother have time to adapt. Breastfeeding is an important part of a newborn’s life. Breastfeeding or lactation provides total nutritional and emotional dependency of the baby on the mother. The strong emotional bonding between the mother-child dyad is needed for successfully prolong breastfeeding.
Option A: Baby and maternal factors can influence this bonding. Skin-to-skin contact in the first 2 hours after birth is essential for successful initiation of lactation. The breast crawl, soon after birth, while the baby is alert will initiate the bonding, and it will be an assurance by giving comfort and calm to the mother. The breast crawl is when the baby is placed on the mother’s abdomen after birth; the baby finds its way to the breast to suckle.
Option B: Successful breastfeeding factors related to the baby include proper latching, alertness of the baby, rooting reflex, and active sucking reflex. Although lactation is a natural process, the mother needs support and education for proper positioning and latching. The ability of the baby to empty the breast will determine the subsequent milk volume.
Option C: Maternal factors like pain, anxiety, emotional instability, among others should be addressed before and after delivery. Lactation consultants or knowledgeable nurses can also be helpful with initiating of breastfeeding.