The mother of a 2-week-old infant tells the nurse that she thinks he is sleeping too much. What is the most appropriate nursing response to this mother?

A. Tell me how many hours per day your baby sleeps: Asking for specific details allows the nurse to assess whether the infant’s sleep pattern is within normal limits or may indicate an underlying problem such as illness or feeding issues. This approach encourages dialogue and individualized assessment. B. Newborns generally sleep 12 to 15 hours per day: While providing general information is helpful, it does not gather specific data about this infant’s sleep patterns, which is necessary to determine if there is a concern. C. It is normal for newborns to sleep most of the day: This statement may reassure the parent prematurely without evaluating the infant’s actual sleep duration or any associated symptoms that might require attention. D. You will find as the baby gets older, he sleeps less: Although true in general, this response does not address the parent’s immediate concern or assess whether the infant’s current sleep pattern is appropriate.