Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

What can be done to facilitate breastfeeding immediately after delivery?

1. Encourage skin-to-skin contact

2. Use formula feeding

3. Delay breastfeeding until the mother is rested

4. Limit feeding to once every two hours

The correct answer is: Encourage skin-to-skin contact

Encouraging skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery is a highly effective strategy for facilitating breastfeeding. This practice involves placing the newborn directly on the mother's bare chest, promoting a warm, comforting environment that helps establish a bond between mother and baby. Skin-to-skin contact triggers the baby's natural instinct to breastfeed, increasing the likelihood that the baby will latch on effectively and feed within the first hour after birth. This immediate contact also stimulates the mother's body to release hormones, such as oxytocin, which not only promotes milk production but can also help contract the uterus, reducing the risk of postpartum complications. The benefits of this practice extend beyond just breastfeeding; it can also enhance maternal-infant bonding and promote better outcomes for both the mother and the infant in terms of physiological stability and emotional wellbeing. In contrast, the other options do not support the goal of facilitating immediate breastfeeding. Using formula feeding would negate the benefits of breastfeeding and could create separation between the mother and baby. Delaying breastfeeding until the mother is rested may not take advantage of the critical early breastfeeding period when a baby's natural instincts are strongest. Limiting feeding to once every two hours may restrict the baby’s feeding cues and needs, which could hinder the establishment of breastfeeding and the infant's ability