Page 825 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

1. Assess the newborn’s ability to attach to the mother’s
breast and suck (Fig. 27-4).
2. Teach the mother how to pump her breasts and how
to store breast milk properly.
3. Inform the mother that breast milk is a sufficient diet
for the first 4 to 6 months.
4. Give the mother the phone numbers of local
organizations that offer support to breast-feeding
mothers.
C. Bathing
1. Bathe the newborn in a warm room before feeding.
2. Have all equipment for bathing available.
3. Use a mild soap (not on the face).
4. Proceed from the cleanest area to the dirtiest.
5. Clean eyes from the inner canthus outward.
6. Special care should be taken to clean under the folds of
the neck, underarms, groin, and genitals.
7. Make bath time enjoyable for the newborn and the
mother.
D. Clothing
1. Assess diaper and clothing needs for the newborn
with the mother.
2. Instruct the mother that the newborn’s head should be
covered in cold weather to prevent heat loss.
3. Instruct the mother to layer the newborn’s clothing in
cooler weather.
4. To be comfortable, the newborn should be dressed in 1
more layer of clothing than what the parents are
wearing.
E. Cord care: See earlier for cord care, “Body Systems Assessment
and Interventions.”
F. Circumcision: See earlier for circumcision care, “Body Systems
Assessment and Interventions.”
G. Uncircumcised newborn
1. Inform the mother that the foreskin and glans are 2
similar layers of cells that separate from each other
and that the separation process normally is complete
by 3 years of age, although the layers can remain
adhered until puberty.
2. Instruct the mother not to pull back the foreskin, but to
allow natural separation to occur.
3. Inform the mother that as the process of separation
occurs, sloughed cells build up between the layers of
the foreskin and the glans, and that when retraction
occurs, daily gentle washing of the glans with soap
and water is sufficient to maintain adequate
cleanliness.

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