Recommended time of exclusive breast feeding from birth is - - RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2023

Explanation

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life.
Exclusive breastfeeding means the infant receives only breast milk, with no other foods or liquids, not even water, except for oral rehydration solution, drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.
Breast milk provides all the nutrients and energy an infant requires for the first six months.
After 6 months, complementary foods should be introduced to meet the growing nutritional needs, while breastfeeding can continue for up to two years or more.

Option A: Introducing complementary foods at 4 months is too early. The infant's digestive system is not yet fully mature, which increases the risk of gastrointestinal infections and developing allergies.
Option C: Exclusive breastfeeding for 1 year is too long. After 6 months, breast milk alone cannot meet the increasing energy and nutrient demands (especially for iron and zinc) of a growing infant, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and growth faltering.
Option D: Similar to the 1-year option, exclusive breastfeeding until 9 months is not recommended. It delays the introduction of necessary complementary foods, posing a risk for nutritional deficiencies and poor growth.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The recommended duration for exclusive breastfeeding as per global health guidelines as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in educating and supporting mothers to adhere to the 6-month exclusive breastfeeding recommendation, which is a key public health strategy to reduce infant morbidity and mortality.
This knowledge helps nurses provide accurate anticipatory guidance to new parents, addressing common concerns about infant hunger and the appropriate time to introduce solid foods.
What if? A mother of a 5-month-old infant reports that her baby seems fussy and she believes her milk is 'not enough'. The nurse's first action should be to assess the infant's weight gain and feeding technique (latch, frequency). The nurse should provide reassurance and support to optimize breastfeeding rather than recommending early introduction of solids, explaining the benefits of waiting until 6 months.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the key terms in the question: 'exclusive breast feeding' and 'recommended time'.
Recognize that this is a factual recall question based on established global public health guidelines.
Recall the specific recommendations from major health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
The standard, universally accepted recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding is for the first 6 months of life.
Evaluate the given options and select '6 months'. Differentiate this from 'continued' breastfeeding, which is recommended for a longer period alongside other foods.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The recommended duration for exclusive breastfeeding as per global health guidelines.
Stem keywords: exclusive breast feeding, recommended time, from birth
Lead-in keywords: is

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