Breastfeed
Feeding an infant with maternal breast milk, which provides optimal nutrition and passive immunity for the first months of life.
The classic NCLEX item is a “which statement indicates teaching was effective / needs more teaching” stem: the wrong answer is usually a mother who supplements with water (risks water intoxication/hyponatremia under 6 months) or watches a rigid schedule instead of feeding on demand at early hunger cues (rooting, hand-to-mouth) before crying. Output proves adequacy: by day 4–5 expect at least 6 wet diapers and 3+ stools daily, with birth weight regained by 10–14 days. Know the contraindications the exam loves — infant galactosemia, active untreated TB, chemotherapy, and certain illicit drugs (cocaine, PCP, opioids); most maternal medications and mastitis are not reasons to stop. Note: since 2024 AAP/DHHS no longer call maternal HIV an absolute bar in the U.S. if she’s virally suppressed on ART — though many question banks still mark it a contraindication.
Don’t confuse this with prenatal care (preconception/in-utero, e.g., folic acid) or development (milestones, Erikson stages) — breastfeeding is postpartum nutrition. Storage rule of thumb: roughly 4 hours room temp, 4 days refrigerated, ~6–12 months frozen (best within 6), never microwaved.
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