Nursing Diagnosis: Ineffective Breastfeeding
Definition of Ineffective Breastfeeding
Dissatisfaction or difficulty a mother, infant, or child experiences with the breastfeeding process.
Defining Characteristics of Ineffective Breastfeeding
- Actual or perceived inadequate milk supply (mother)
- Arching and crying when at the breast (infant)
- Evidence of inadequate intake (infant)
- Fussiness and crying within the first hour of feeding (infant)
- Inability to latch on to nipple correctly (infant)
- Insufficient emptying of each breast
- Unsatisfactory breastfeeding process (mother and infant)
Related Factors of Ineffective Breastfeeding
- Infant anomaly
- Infant receiving supplemental feeding with artificial nipple
- Knowledge deficit
- Maternal ambivalence
- Maternal anxiety
- Nonsupportive family
- Nonsupportive partner
Nursing Care Plan for Ineffective Breastfeeding | Assessment
Nursing Diagnosis for Ineffective Breastfeeding | Assessment of Ineffective Breast Feeding
Assessment Focus of Ineffective Breastfeeding
- Communication
- Roles and Relationships
- Values and beliefs
Expected Outcomes of Ineffective Breastfeeding
The mother will
- Express physical and psychological comfort in breastfeeding practice and techniques.
- Show decreased anxiety and apprehension.
- State at least one resource for breastfeeding support.
The infant will
- Feed successfully on both breasts and appear satisfied for at least 2 hr after feeding.
- Grow and thrive.
Suggested NOC Outcomes of Ineffective Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Assistance; Emotional Support; Lactation Counseling; Nutritional Management; Parent Education; Support Group.
Nursing Care Plan for Ineffective Breastfeeding | Nursing Interventions of Ineffective Breastfeeding
Nursing Diagnosis for Ineffective Breastfeeding | Nursing Interventions of Ineffective Breastfeeding and Rationales
Nursing Interventions of Ineffective Breastfeeding and Rationales
- Assess factors that influence mother’s decision to breastfeed. Assessment information will be used to develop interventions.
- Monitor condition of breasts and nipples to identify problems that might interfere with feeding to pinpoint problem areas.
- Assess readiness of mother to breast-feed and ability of infant to feed.
- Monitor mother’s breastfeeding technique. Improper technique, which impedes feeding, will cause the mother to experience anxiety.
- Position mother in Fowler’s position to enhance mother’s relaxation during feeding. Place infant in proper position for optimal feeding to produce proper sucking motion.
- Teach mother and selected caregiver the techniques for encouraging letdown, including warm shower, breast massage, physically caring for the neonate, and holding the neonate close to the breasts.
- Teach mother techniques (e.g., lying on her side, positioning the infant correctly, holding the nipple with C position, talking to and cuddling the infant) that will help the infant latch on to the breast.
- Instruct mother to remove infant from the breast to be burped midway during the feeding to allow for expulsion of air that is swallowed.
- Ask frequently during hospitalization whether the mother has questions while she is attempting to breast-feed. This will give her the confidence she needs to continue when she gets home.
- Provide mother and infant with a quiet, private, comfortable environment in which to breast-feed. Decreasing stressors will help to promote successful breastfeeding experience.
- Encourage expression of fears and anxieties between the mother and the infant to reduce anxiety and increase the mother’s sense of control over the process.
- Offer written information, a reading list, or a referral to a breastfeeding support group to allow for review of information after discharge.
- Refer to home health nurse for a follow-up visit in the home.
- Refer to a nutritionist for information on good nutrition and fluid management.
Suggested NIC Interventions of Ineffective Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding Assistance; Emotional Support; Lactation Counseling; Infant; Parent Education; Support Group
Sample of Nursing Care Plan for Ineffective Breastfeeding.
