The first step would be to enquire and try to ascertain why the mother is reluctant to breastfeeding her child. Apparently, the nurse should approach the mother without any judgmental attitude to enable the mother to open up. It through the discussion with the mother that the patient is likely to ascertain the reason why the mother is not interested in breastfeeding the child. Usually, embarrassment, cultural norms, and lactation problems are some of the major causes that cause barriers to breastfeeding (Rollins et al. 2016).
In case a mother is avoiding breastfeeding due to issues such as embarrassment, the nurse should educate the mother on the importance of breastfeeding to both the mother and the child. In most cases, especially new mothers, they lack proper information about the importance of breastfeeding. The nurse should also address the potentially hazardous effects of formula –feeding to the mother. It is after taking the mother through the information that the mother should conclude. Breastfeeding is a personal decision and should be left entirely to the mother after being fed with all the relevant information.
Despite the choice, the mother chooses as a nurse one should be able to give directions on what the mother should do after that and the proper ways of feeding the child. For instance, the nurse should be able to tell the mother the best formula- feeding food for the infant. Where a mother reverses her decision and chooses to breastfeed the nurse should advise on the position and the best duration that is recommended by the doctors which are usually the critical first six months (Kalhoff & Kersting 2017)
As the nurse performing the health assessment of a newborn, I will start of by acknowledging the mother’s fear and feelings. I will inform the mother that such feeling in the beginning is normal, however I will also educate the mother the importance of breastfeeding. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding reduces mortality rate and has health benefits that extends throughout the babie’s lifespan. Breastmilk being the natural food for babies, it is very rich in nutrients and antioxidants that helps the newborn acquire nutrients and fight infections they have not been exposed to.It provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year of life ( Breastfeeding, 2018). Colostrum which is the thick first milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth. This milk is very rich in nutrients and includes antibodies to protect the baby from infections.Colostrum also helps your newborn’s digestive system to grow and function. Your baby gets only a small amount of colostrum at each feeding, because the stomach of a newborn infant is tiny and can hold only a small amount Women’s Health, 2018).However, I will also help the mother how to properly breastfeed her newborn. Ensuring proper latching is important in order to make sure the infant is getting adequate amount of breastmilk. After I explain to the mother the importance of breastfeeding , and how to breastfeed, I will assess her knowledge on how to breastfeed with return demonstration. I will also ask the new mother for further questions.