A nurse is completing discharge instructions for a new mother and her 2-day-old newborn.
The mother asks, "How will I know if my baby gets enough breast milk?" which of the following responses should the nurse make?.

The correct answer is choice A.

Choice A rationale:

A newborn who is getting enough breast milk should wet 6 to 12 diapers per day. This is because adequate hydration, a sign of sufficient milk intake, leads to frequent urination.

Choice B rationale:

A wake cycle of 30 to 60 minutes after each feeding does not necessarily indicate the baby is getting enough milk. It could be due to other factors like sleep patterns or general health.

Choice C rationale:

A baby should not sleep at least 6 hours between feedings. Newborns need to be fed every 2-3 hours.

Choice D rationale:

While burping can be a sign of a good feeding, it does not necessarily mean the baby is getting enough milk. It’s more related to the baby’s digestion of the milk.

The correct answer is choice D. Chronic alcohol use.

Choice A rationale:

Active herpes simplex infection during pregnancy can lead to neonatal herpes, which is a serious condition, but it does not cause the symptoms described.

Choice B rationale:

Chronic cocaine use during pregnancy can lead to premature birth and low birth weight, but it does not typically result in the specific symptoms described.

Choice C rationale:

Folic acid deficiency during pregnancy can lead to neural tube defects, which can cause a range of symptoms, but not the specific ones described.

Choice D rationale:

Chronic alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which includes slow growth, cognitive and intellectual deficits, and the facial abnormalities described.