A postpartum person is breastfeeding her newborn. What is the most important factor for successful breastfeeding in the early postpartum period?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: encourage skin-to-skin contact. Skin-to-skin contact in the early postpartum period promotes bonding, regulates the baby's body temperature, and encourages successful breastfeeding by stimulating the baby's natural feeding instincts. It also helps in establishing a strong emotional connection between the parent and the newborn. Encouraging frequent feeding (choice A) is important, but skin-to-skin contact is crucial for successful breastfeeding initiation. Supporting the baby's latch (choice C) is essential, but skin-to-skin contact precedes and aids in achieving a proper latch. While supporting early initiation of breastfeeding (choice D) is beneficial, skin-to-skin contact enhances the initiation process and overall breastfeeding success.