A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who is 3 hours postpartum and reports complete saturation of their perineal pad in the past 30 minutes. Which of the following actions is the highest priority?

(A) Tell the client to apply hydrocortisone ointment to the affected area of the breast:
Hydrocortisone ointment is not appropriate for treating mastitis, which is an infection of the breast tissue. The primary treatments for mastitis include antibiotics, pain management, and supportive measures like warm compresses to relieve discomfort and promote milk flow.

(B) Suggest the client apply warm compresses to the affected breast:
Applying warm compresses to the affected breast can help relieve pain and promote milk flow, which can aid in resolving the infection. Warmth can help reduce inflammation and make breastfeeding or pumping less painful.

(C) Recommend the client avoid wearing a nursing bra until symptoms resolve:
Avoiding a nursing bra is not necessary. In fact, wearing a well-fitting and supportive nursing bra can help manage discomfort and support the breasts. It is important that the bra is not too tight to avoid further compression and blockage of milk ducts.

(D) Encourage the client to limit oral fluid intake to decrease milk production:
Limiting fluid intake is not recommended. Adequate hydration is important for overall health and maintaining milk supply. Reducing fluid intake does not effectively manage mastitis and can lead to dehydration.

(A) "You should recognize that your baby sucking on his hands is a hunger cue."
Recognizing hunger cues is crucial for successful breastfeeding. Early hunger cues like sucking on hands, rooting, and lip-smacking indicate that the baby is ready to feed. Responding to these cues can help establish a good breastfeeding routine and ensure the baby gets adequate nutrition before becoming too distressed to feed effectively.

(B) "You should feed your baby for 10 minutes on each breast."
Feeding duration can vary significantly among babies. Some may need longer than 10 minutes on each breast, while others might feed more efficiently in a shorter time. Instead of a strict time limit, it's important to encourage the mother to allow the baby to feed until they show signs of being full, such as pulling away from the breast or falling asleep.

(C) "You should feed your baby six times a day."
Newborns typically need to feed more frequently than six times a day. Most newborns breastfeed 8-12 times in 24 hours. Limiting feeds to six times a day may not provide sufficient nutrition and can affect the baby’s growth and milk supply.

(D) "You should wake your baby at least every 6 hours at night for feedings."
Newborns, especially in the first few weeks, often need to be fed more frequently than every 6 hours, including at night. Typically, it’s recommended to wake a baby to feed if they sleep for more than 4 hours at a time in the early weeks to ensure adequate intake and to help establish the mother’s milk supply.