Domain 2. Nutrition
Class 1. Ingestion
Diagnostic Code: 00105
Nanda label: Interrupted breastfeeding
Diagnostic focus: Breastfeeding
Nursing diagnosis is a clinical process that is used by health care professionals to accurately diagnose and treat patients. The main goal of nursing diagnosis is to improve patient outcomes through prevention, promotion, and control. Nursing diagnosis also helps health care providers to better assess and manage patient care plans, with the aim of providing the best possible care to the individual. One important category of nursing diagnoses involves care related to infants and young children, which includes the diagnosis of interrupted breastfeeding.
NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition
NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) offers an official definition of interrupted breastfeeding as “inability to establish and/or maintain regular and exclusive breast milk-feeding for an infant or child as evidenced by a disruption in the natural progression of breastfeeding.” This reinforces that the condition occurs when the breastfeeding process is not proceeding as it should – often due to medical issues, lifestyle changes or other factors.
Defining Characteristics
The defining characteristics of interrupted breastfeeding can be divided into two categories – subjective and objective. These include:
- Subjective: An impaired individual may report pain, discomfort, or lack of appetite while breastfeeding; they may complain of dry feedings; they may also experience sleep disruptions.
- Objective: An impaired individual may show an inability to latch properly; poor suckling technique and refusal to nurse are both common observable symptoms/signs.
Related Factors
There are a variety of potential factors that could lead to the diagnosis of interrupted breastfeeding, including but not limited to:
- Health-related conditions, such as mastitis, thrush, and respiratory infections.
- Lifestyle changes, such as returning to work or inadequate rest.
- Medication use, such as steroids, antidepressant drugs, and contraceptive pills.
- Substance Use, such as alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco.
- Ergonomic issues, such as an inappropriate chair, positioning, or incorrect latch techniques.
- Poor milk supply, due to a low amount of milk production.
- Maternal fatigue, due to inadequate rest.
At Risk Population
Those who are at risk of developing interrupted breastfeeding include mothers who experience physical or mental health conditions that make nursing difficult or mothers who have encountered any of the related factors listed above. This can also include mothers who have pre-existing conditions or have had a significant lifestyle change, such as beginning to take medication, using substances, or returning to work.
Associated Conditions
Interrupted breastfeeding can lead to a variety of associated conditions, including:
- Failure to thrive – when the infant experiences undetected growth and developmental delays due to a lack of proper nutrition.
- High BMI – when the infant gains too much weight due to overfeeding.
- Sleep disturbances – when the infant experiences disrupted sleep patterns due to excessive hunger.
- Digestive problems – when the infant experiences difficulty in digesting non-breastmilk based food sources.
- Inadequate nutrition – when the infant is not receiving the correct nutrition.
- Early weaning – when the infant is weaned from breastmilk before his/her development has reached recommended standards.
- Depression – when the mother experiences feelings of overwhelming stress and sadness due to the interruption of the breastfeeding relationship.
Suggestions of Use
Suggestions for how to use nursing interventions to prevent interrupted breastfeeding include:
- Encouraging active support from family members.
- Ensuring accessibility of important resources, such as lactation consultants, support groups and group sessions of guidance.
- Providing nutritional education to parents.
- Encouraging mothers to take regular breaks during Nursing sessions.
- Monitoring the infant for signs of dehydration or inadequate nutrition.
- Assessing infant oral health.
Suggested Alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnoses
Alternative diagnoses to interrupted breastfeeding include:
- Breast Milk Inadequacy –when an infant does not receive adequate nutrition from breast milk.
- Lactation Disorders – when an individual is unable to produce a sufficient supply of breast milk.
- Child Care Disruption – when the infant is separated from the mother during feeding times.
- Continuous Feeding Altered – when too much time passes in between feedings.
- Fatigue – when the mother is feeling excessively tired during Nursing sessions.
Usage Tips
When diagnosing interrupted breastfeeding, it is important to consider the individual’s particular circumstances, as well as the physical, psychological, and environmental factors that may have contributed to the issue. It is also important to distinguish the symptoms of interrupted breastfeeding from those of a more chronic condition, such as postpartum depression or an underlying medical issue. Furthermore, it is important to monitor the infant for signs of inadequate nutrition or dehydration in order to help prevent any long-term effects of interrupted breastfeeding.
NOC Outcomes
When diagnosing and treating interrupted breastfeeding, it is important to consider the following list of NOC (Nursing Outcome Classification) outcomes:
- Nursing Care Quality – assessing the overall quality of the nursing care.
- Nutrition Status – monitoring the infant for any changes in weight or nutritional status.
- Breast Milk Production – assessing for adequate production and availability of breast milk.
- Breastfeeding Comfort – assessing for any discomfort or pain experienced by either the infant or the mother during breastfeeding sessions.
- Breastfeeding Satisfaction – assessing the level of satisfaction of the mother during Nursing sessions.
- Family Involvement – assessing the level of family involvement when it comes to the care of the infant.
Evaluation Objectives and Criteria
When evaluating the success of interventions for interrupted breastfeeding, it is important to consider the following criteria:
- Child’s nourishment goals – evaluating whether the infant is receiving the appropriate nutrition.
- Mother-infant bonding – assessing the quality of the bond between the mother and the infant.
- Adequacy of breastfeeding sessions – assessing whether the nursing sessions are meeting the requirements of the infant.
- Pain and discomfort levels – evaluating whether both the mother and the infant are experiencing any discomfort or pain during nursing sessions.
- Performance of nursing personnel – assessing whether the nursing personnel have provided adequate care and support to the mother and infant.
NIC Interventions
NIC (Nursing Interventions Classification) interventions to consider when treating interrupted breastfeeding include:
- Facilitating Breastfeeding – providing education and guidance to aid in the correct establishment of breastfeeding.
- Encouraging Parental Involvement – providing guidance on how other family members can support the mother and infant during breastfeeding sessions.
- Implementing Healthy Eating Habits – educating the mother on ways to feed her infant a balanced and nutritious diet.
- Educating on Latch Techniques – providing instruction on how to properly latch the infant onto the breast.
- Promoting Comfort During Breastfeeding Sessions – ensuring the comfort of both the mother and infant during Nursing sessions.
- Monitoring Breastfeeding Behavior – monitoring infant behavior during Nursing sessions for any signs of distress or dissatisfaction.
Nursing Activities
Nursing activities for treating interrupted breastfeeding include:
- Monitoring the mother’s lactation process.
- Assessing the infant’s weight and growth.
- Providing emotional support to the mother.
- Educating and advising parents about nutrition.
- Educating and providing instruction on proper infant care.
- Providing guidance on correct breastfeeding techniques.
Conclusion
Interrupted breastfeeding can present various challenges to mothers and infants alike. It is important for nurses to be aware of the associated risks and to assess the situation in order to determine the best course of action. With the right assessment and proper care, nurses can help ensure that mother and infant will experience successful breastfeeding sessions.
FAQs
- Q1: What is the nursing diagnosis Interrupted Breastfeeding?
A1: Interrupted breastfeeding is a nursing diagnosis defined as an inability to establish and/or maintain regular and exclusive breast milk-feeding for an infant or child. - Q2: What are some defining characteristics of interrupted breastfeeding?
A2: The defining characteristics of interrupted breastfeeding can be divided into two categories – subjective and objective. Subjective characteristics include pain, discomfort or lack of appetite while breastfeeding, dry feedings and sleep disturbances. Objective characteristics include an inability to latch properly, poor suckling technique and refusal to nurse. - Q3: What are some related factors that may lead to interrupted breastfeeding?
A3: There are a variety of potential factors that could lead to the diagnosis of interrupted breastfeeding, such as health-related conditions like mastitis, thrush, and respiratory infections; lifestyle changes; medication use; substance use; ergonomic issues; poor milk supply; and maternal fatigue. - Q4: Who is at risk of developing interrupted breastfeeding?
A4: Those who are at risk of developing interrupted breastfeeding include mothers who experience physical or mental health conditions that make nursing difficult; those who have encountered related factors such as lifestyle changes, medication or substance use; or pre-existing conditions. - Q5: What are some associated conditions related to interrupted breastfeeding?
A5: Interrupted breastfeeding can lead to a variety of associated conditions, such as failure to thrive, high BMI, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, inadequate nutrition, early weaning and maternal depression.