When a mother in the taking-in stage is exhausted and not feeding, which approach is appropriate?

• A. Offer rest and plan feeding for later.
• B. Do not intervene.
• C. Force feed.
• D. Return infant to nursery.

Answer: (D)

In the taking-in phase, the mother is often exhausted and may not be ready to feed right away. The most appropriate approach is to place the infant in the nursery so the mother can rest and recover. This quiet time helps her regain energy, which supports a more effective feeding attempt once she’s rested. The nursing team can still monitor the newborn and plan for feeding when the mother feels ready. Forcing feedings isn’t appropriate, and leaving the situation entirely to chance isn’t helpful. Providing rest now and arranging feeding later directly addresses the immediate need to support the mother’s recovery and future feeding success.