Running head: BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS 1

Breastfeeding Benefits

Courtney Robinson

Norquest College

Nursing Foundations 2004-01

Assignment 1: Prenatal Teaching Plan

Ayshea Thornton

November 27, 2020

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Introduction

As a nurse, it is my role to ensure my clients receive the best quality care. This includes

doing a thorough assessment to determine my client’s stage of growth and development and

priority learning needs. “The prenatal period provides a unique opportunity for nurses and other

members of the health care team to have a positive influence on the health of all family

members” (Perry et al., 2017, p. 226). In this case, the priority learning need for this 16-year-old

client, Stephanie, is about breastfeeding. As a part of my teaching plan, I will go over with

Stephanie the description of the breastfeeding, effects it can have on her, effects it can have on

baby, and potential postpartum concerns that need to be considered.

Description of Priority Health Concern

During the prenatal visit, Stephanie’s mother raised the topic of breastfeeding, however

Stephanie appeared disgusted at the thought of breastfeeding. It is essential to educate the client

of the benefits of breastfeeding and the disadvantages of formula feeding so that they can make

an informed decision. As a maternity nurse, I would encourage Stephanie to breastfeed, as it is

optimal for the baby and herself.

Educational Content for the Priority Health Concern

Effects the Health Concern will have on the Mom

There are several maternal benefits if the client decides to breastfeed. Perry et al. (2017)

noted the following maternal benefits of breastfeeding:

 Women who have breastfed have a decreased risk of ovarian cancer, uterine

cancer, breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, type II diabetes, hypertension

hypercholesterolemia, and cardiovascular disease.

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 Breastfeeding promotes uterine involution and is associated with a decreased risk

of postpartum hemorrhage.

 Mothers who are breastfeeding tend to return to their pre-pregnancy weight more

quickly.

 Breastfeeding may provide some protection against the development of

osteoporosis and risk for hip fractures.

 Breastfeeding provides a unique bonding experience, enhances development of

the maternal role, and may provide protection against postpartum depression,

when breastfeeding difficulties are appropriately addressed. (p. 721)

More benefits to the family if the mother breastfeeds include convenience (as you do not

have to purchase bottles or other equipment, as well as do not have to clean them), cost

efficiency (as costs of formulas can be quite expensive), and portability (when traveling, you

don’t have to worry about taking bottles, formula, worry about warming formula, etc.)

Effects the Health Concern will have on the Baby

There are also numerous benefits of breastfeeding for the infant. Perry et al. (2017) states

the following:

 Breast milk enhances maturation of the gastrointestinal tract and contains immune

factors that contribute to a lower incidence of gastroenteritis, necrotizing

enterocolitis in preterm infants, childhood obesity as well as obesity in

adolescence and adulthood, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease.

 Breastfed infants receive specific antibodies and cell mediated immunological

factors that help protect against otitis media, respiratory illnesses such as
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respiratory syncytial virus and pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bacteremia,

and bacterial meningitis.

 There is a lower incidence of certain allergies among breastfed infants,

particularly for families at high risk. Allergic manifestations occur at a greater

rate and are more severe in formula-fed infants.

 Breastfed infants are less likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

 Breast milk may have a protective effect against childhood lymphoma and type I

and type II diabetes mellitus.

 Breast milk may enhance cognitive development for term and preterm infants.

 Breastfeeding has been shown to provide pain relief for newborns undergoing

painful procedures such as venipuncture and heel stick. (p. 721)

Potential Postpartum Concerns that Need to be Considered

As mentioned early in, effects the health concern will have on the mom, breastfeeding

may provide protection against postpartum depression, when breastfeeding difficulties are

appropriately addressed. “The first two weeks of breastfeeding can be the most challenging, as

the mothers are adjusting to life with a newborn, the baby is learning to latch on and feed

effectively, and the mother may be experiencing nipple or breast discomfort” (Perry et al., 2017,

p. 729). It is important to help women initiate breastfeeding, help women maintain lactation even

if separated from baby, and encourage on demand feeding. This could include giving them

techniques of breastfeeding (breast care, positioning the baby, positioning for breastfeeding, and

general tips), what to do if the baby refuses to take the breast (express colostrum/milk, pump so

milk flows faster for baby, and feed small amounts of milk via dropper as babe may be too tired

to suck), and bringing up common breastfeeding problems/concerns that could arise.

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Some breastfeeding concerns/problems include sore nipples, breast engorgement, and

blocked ducts. The key to prevent sore nipples is correct breastfeeding technique. Sore nipples

often result due to the baby latching onto the breast before their mouth is wide open. To make

initial suck less painful, the mother should express a few drops of milk to moisten the nipple

first.

Breast engorgement is common due to sudden change in hormones and volume of the

milk in the breasts. To avoid severe engorgement, the mother should frequently feed their baby,

softening one breast, and pumping the other to soften. The mother can also use cold after

breastfeeding and warmth before and anti-inflammatory medications.

Blocked milk ducts can too result from breastfeeding, causing an area of the breast to be

swollen and tender. An application of a warm compress to the area and to the nipple before

feeding helps promote emptying and release of the plug. A well-fitting bra and switching feeding

positions can help reduce chances of a blocked milk duct from happening.

Conclusion

It is the nurse’s responsibility to explore health concerns and learning needs of the

maternal client, including identifying health priorities that require in-depth teaching and making

sure the client understands the teaching.

With breastfeeding, it is imperative the client understands why this is a priority learning

need, benefits it can have to the mother, family, and baby, as well as potential postpartum

concerns that need to be considered.

Overall, the nurse needs to make sure they have given enough information to the client so

they can make an informed decision for themselves and their baby.
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Reference

Perry, S. E., Hockenberry, M. J., Lowdermilk, D. L., Wilson, D., Keenan-Lindsay, L., & Sams,

C. A. (2017). Maternal child nursing care in Canada. (2nd ed.) Milton, ON: Elsevier

Canada.