Shirley returned to full-time employment six weeks after her baby's birth. She exclusively breast-fed during her maternity leave, and then she pumped her breast milk when she returned to work. Now her baby is 3 months old and drinks some formula when at day care. Shirley is weighing the pros and cons of continuing breast-feeding. If you were a pediatric nurse, what would you say to her?
A) She can quit breast-feeding since all of its benefits are achieved within the first three months.
B) She should quit breast-feeding since it is only beneficial if the baby doesn't drink any formula.
C) She should keep breast-feeding until the baby begins to eat solid foods, which is the point at which breast milk loses its nutritional value.
D) She should keep breast-feeding as long as possible since breast-fed babies are less likely to get sick.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As a pediatric nurse, it is important to encourage Shirley to continue breast-feeding for as long as possible since breast milk provides many benefits for both the baby and mother. Breast milk contains important nutrients and antibodies that can help protect the baby from illness and infection, and breast-feeding has also been linked to lower rates of SIDS, childhood obesity, and other health issues. Additionally, breast-feeding can promote bonding between the mother and baby and can also provide health benefits for the mother, such as reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer. While it is understandable that Shirley may be considering stopping breast-feeding due to the challenges of balancing work and breast-feeding, it is important to provide her with support and resources to help make it possible to continue breast-feeding for as long as possible.

Shirley Returned to Full-Time Employment Six Weeks After Her Baby's