A first-time mother reports that she is experiencing difficulty breastfeeding her newborn. The neonatal reflex that the nurse would teach the mother to elicit, in order to facilitate breastfeeding is:

Rooting. The rooting reflex is a primitive neonatal reflex that helps the baby find the breast or bottle to start feeding. When the corner of the baby's mouth is stroked or touched, the baby will turn his or her head and open his or her mouth to follow and root in the direction of the stroking. This reflex lasts about 4 months.

Choice A. Sucking is not the correct answer because it is a different reflex that starts when the roof of the baby's mouth is touched, and it does not help the baby find the breast or bottle.

Choice B. Grasp is not the correct answer because it is a reflex that causes the baby to close his or her fingers in a grasp when the palm of the hand is stroked, and it has nothing to do with breastfeeding.

Choice C. Tonic neck is not the correct answer because it is a reflex that causes the baby to assume a "fencing" position when the head is turned to one side, and it also has nothing to do with breastfeeding.

Fundus firm, at the level of the umbilicus. This is because the normal postpartum uterine fundus location should be around the belly button (umbilicus) one hour after delivery and then decrease by 1 cm per 24 hours. A firm fundus indicates that the uterus is contracting well and preventing bleeding.

Choice A is wrong because a soft fundus indicates uterine atony, which is a risk factor for hemorrhage.

Choice C is wrong because the fundus should not be above the umbilicus 12 hours after delivery.

Choice D is wrong because a fundus to the right of the umbilicus indicates a full bladder, which can displace the uterus and cause bleeding.