A woman is considering abandoning breastfeeding attempts because of severe afterpains. What actions by the nurse are most helpful? (Select all that apply.)

Question

A.
Administer pain medication 30 minutes prior to breastfeeding.
B.
Encourage ambulation.
C.
Have the woman lie prone with a pillow under her stomach.
D.
Offer the woman information on commercial baby formula.
E.
Prepare a sitz bath for the woman after she has breastfed.

Answer 1

ANS: A, B, C, E
Because breast milk is the perfect food for baby, the nurse should support a woman's decision to breastfeed and help remove any obstacles to this practice. Breastfeeding women should take pain medication 30 minutes prior to nursing to achieve maximum pain relief and to minimize the amount of medication that is transferred in the breast milk. Ambulation also helps to decrease afterpains. To ease discomfort, the woman can be assisted into a prone position and a small pillow can be placed under her abdomen. Initiating a sitz bath after breastfeeding may be helpful in decreasing discomfort. Switching to formula and bottle feeding should be a last resort after all other interventions have been tried