Which statement is NOT correct about breast feeding :

RRB Staff Nurse Ahmedabad-2015

Obstetrics and Midwifery Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Ahmedabad-2015

Explanation

This statement is factually incorrect and represents a dangerous misconception.
Weak, premature, or sick infants are the ones who benefit most from the immunological and easily digestible properties of breast milk.
If an infant cannot suckle directly from the breast, the standard of care is for the mother to express her milk.
The expressed breast milk is then fed to the infant using alternative methods such as a nasogastric tube, paladai (a small cup with a spout), spoon, or dropper.
Discontinuing breast milk for a weak infant would deprive them of essential nutrition and protection against infection at a time when they are most vulnerable.

Option A: This is a correct statement. Breast milk, especially colostrum, is rich in antibodies like secretory IgA, lactoferrin, and lymphocytes that provide passive immunity against a wide range of pathogens.
Option C: This is a correct statement. Breast milk is easily digested and has a natural laxative effect, leading to softer, more frequent stools compared to formula-fed babies, thus reducing the likelihood of constipation.
Option D: This is a correct statement. Early initiation of breastfeeding, within the first hour of life, is crucial for the infant to receive colostrum, which provides vital antibodies and nutrients, acting as the baby's first immunization.

Visual 1: Infographic - Shows alternative feeding methods for expressed breast milk, such as spoon feeding, cup feeding (paladai), and tube feeding. This clarifies how a weak infant can still receive breast milk.
Visual 2: Chart - A comparative chart detailing the composition of colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk, highlighting the changes in proteins, fats, and immunoglobulins over time.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Principles and practices of breastfeeding as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's primary role is to support and educate the mother. If an infant is weak, the nurse must teach the mother how to express milk (manually or with a pump), store it correctly, and feed the infant using appropriate alternative methods.
This knowledge is a critical patient safety issue. Advising discontinuation of breast milk for a weak infant would be incorrect and harmful. The correct action is to find a way to provide the milk.
What if? If a mother has a condition that is an absolute contraindication to breastfeeding (e.g., active untreated tuberculosis or undergoing certain chemotherapy), the nurse's role shifts to providing counseling on safe formula feeding and offering emotional support for not being able to breastfeed.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question by spotting the keyword 'NOT'. This means you are looking for the false statement among the options.
Read each option carefully and evaluate its validity based on your knowledge of breastfeeding principles.
Option A is a known benefit of breastfeeding (immunity).
Option C is a known digestive advantage of breast milk.
Option D is a cornerstone of breastfeeding initiation (early feeding of colostrum).
Option B suggests stopping breastfeeding for a weak infant, which contradicts the principle of providing optimal nutrition to the most vulnerable babies. This makes it the most likely incorrect statement.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Principles and practices of breastfeeding
Stem keywords: breast feeding
Lead-in keywords: NOT correct
Negative lead-in flag: This question asks for the INCORRECT statement, meaning three of the options are true facts about breastfeeding.

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