Breast Hygiene and Care During Breastfeeding: A Guide for African Women

 

By Adeola Alabi. DLHA Volunteer and Freelance Health Writer. With medical review and editorial support from the DLHA Team

A black mother and baby during breastfeeding 

 

Highlights

• Breastfeeding is safe and natural, therefore can be relied on for your baby’s nutrition and survival in the first six months of life and beyond.

• Breast milk contains all the nutrients and antibodies required for the health and development of infants. It is therefore important to breastfeed your baby as advised by your healthcare provider.

• African Mothers and mothers-to-be need to have good working knowledge about breast hygiene and breast care during breastfeeding so that they can hygienically feed their babies and get help early for any breast issues that may prevent adequate breastfeeding 

 

Introduction

Traditionally, breastfeeding has been an acceptable method of infant feeding in African culture before the advent of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Many pregnant mothers look forward to breastfeeding with pride.

Africans believe that breastfeeding facilitates a strong bond between a mother and her child. Some Africans have a strong belief in the power of breast milk as it truly prevents illnesses and boosts the baby's immune system.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended EBF in the early 1990s with the aim to promote optimal growth and development, and protect children against several diseases including diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, and others.

EBF is a feeding practice widely promoted by the World Health Organisation and other national public health agencies worldwide. It recommends that infants be introduced to breastfeeding within one hour of birth, breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life with only breast milk, without the use of any other food or drinks except for oral rehydration solution, syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines (as necessary) and continue to be breastfed up to 2 years of age and beyond. [1]

This article aims to raise awareness in African mothers and mothers-to-be about best practices in breast care and the need to adopt good breast hygiene practices during breastfeeding. This is so that they can hygienically feed their babies and get help early for any breast issues that may prevent adequate breastfeeding.  
 

What is Breastfeeding?

According to the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, “breastfeeding, also called nursing, is the process of feeding a mother's breast milk to her infant, either directly from the breast or by expressing (pumping out) the milk from the breast and bottle-feeding it to the infant”. [2]

Breast milk is natural and has no replacement. It provides an infant with calories and the nutrients, including fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and antibodies that your baby needs for healthy growth and development free of illnesses.
 

Breast Hygiene during Breastfeeding

What is it?

Breastfeeding takes less effort when it comes to hygiene, of course you have to be clean but it isn’t as demanding as bottle-feeding which requires washing and sterilization of bottles and other items.

As a breast-feeding and lactating mother, washing of hands should be consistent. Wash your hands:

• Before breastfeeding. 

• When you change your baby’s nappy,

• After contact with blood or other body fluids like mucus, saliva and vomit.

• Before carrying your baby.

Why it’s important?

Breastfeeding is a huge part of becoming a mother. It’s beautiful, bonding and allows you to deliver essential nutrients to your growing baby.

Since breastfeeding is the best possible example of mother and child skin-to-skin contact, it’s crucial that you take proper hygienic care of your breasts to ensure the health of your baby.

Breast-feeding with a dirty breast exposes the baby to various diseases and infections. Poor hygiene during breast-feeding is more dangerous than not breastfeeding at all. 

 

Breast care during Breastfeeding

Here are some of the best practices in breast care during breastfeeding: [3]

• Take daily showers and use clean water only on the nipples

• Keep your nipples clean and dry.

• Change breast pads often, especially when wet.

• Wear loose clothing, such as cotton and avoid wearing underwire bras as these may cause blocked milk ducts and increase the risk of breast infection.

. 
Common Breast Problems during Breastfeeding

Breast problems to recognise during the breastfeeding period include:

• Mastitis (an inflammation of breast tissue that is caused by blocked milk ducts or bacteria/germs

• Breast engorgement

• Excessive production of breast milk (Hyperlactation)

• Leaking breast

• Others
  • Nipple abrasion, cracks and ulceration
  • Milk stasis (Stoppage due to milk duct blockage)
  • Breast abscess

Signs and Symptoms of Breastfeeding Related Disorders

Of Mastitis:

• Breast tenderness/pain

• Hotness and redness

• Hardness and Swelling

• Thickened breast tissue or lumps

• Tight and shiny skin

• Continuous burning sensation or during breastfeeding

• Generalised feeling of illness

• Fever (with temperature of 101F or 38.3 C and over)

Of Breast engorgement:

• Swelling

• Tightness

• Breast size increase 

Breast engorgement usually occurs during the early days of breastfeeding (days 3 - 5), but may occur later (i.e., days 9 - 10)

Of Hyperlactation:

• Excessive supply of breast milk with leaky, swollen and uncomfortable breast

Of Nipple cracks and abrasions:

• Pain or soreness

• Irritation or itchiness

• Redness and dryness

• A tear in the nipple

• Flaky skin or scabs on or around the nipple

• Oozing

• Bleeding

• Open cracks or sores

Of Milk stasis:

• Pain during milk letdown

• Hard lump that moves or gets smaller during breastfeeding or pumping

• Discomfort that reduces after breastfeeding or pumping

Of Breast abscess:

A breast abscess during breastfeeding is a collection of pus that usually forms under the skin and is often a complication of mastitis. Signs and symptoms are similar to those described for mastitis.

Talk to your healthcare provider early if you notice any of the above signs and symptoms that may suggest you have a breast disorder during breastfeeding.
 

Why You Should Breastfeed Your Baby 

A high percentage of young mothers in Africa claim to be young “baddies" and conclude that breastfeeding makes their breasts lose shape and appear saggy.  This is just a myth.

Breast milk provides essential nutrients, antibodies, and immune factors that promote optimal growth and development in infants. It is easily digestible and well-suited to the infant's nutritional needs.

A black mother breastfeeding her baby

 

Advantages

Health benefits to mother and child:  Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers. With support and guidance, many mothers can successfully breastfeed their infants, contributing to their overall health and well-being.

• It is a natural and beneficial process that provides infants with essential nutrients.

• It promotes maternal-infant bonding. 

• It reduces the risk of infections, allergies, and chronic diseases in infants. 

• For mothers, breastfeeding can lower the risk of certain cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer, and aid in postpartum weight loss.

Disadvantages 

• Temporary Discomfort: For young mothers, breastfeeding might come with discomfort because you aren’t used to it but as time goes on you will enjoy serving your baby the only age-related natural food that they need.

• Alteration of breast: The shape and size of your breasts has a high tendency to change as a result of breastfeeding.

• Mother-to-child transmission: Everything you consume and infections that you may have is passed to your baby.

• Bite risk: Get ready to be bitten as soon as your baby starts growing teeth, it’s inevitable and this can be painful at times.

 

Conclusion

Breast milk remains the only natural food and the most perfect for babies for the first two years. In the interest of your health and that of your baby’s, it is very important for you as a mother or mother-to-be to be aware and well informed about breast health during breastfeeding.

 

Resources:

1. World Health Organization. Exclusive breastfeeding for optimal growth, development, and health of infants. [Internet. Last updated 2023 August 9]. Cited 2024 April 29. Available from here. 

2. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Breastfeeding and Breast milk. [Internet. n.d.]. Cited 2024 April 29. Available from here.  

3. Penn Medicine. Breastfeeding Care Instructions. [Internet, n.d.] Cited: 2024 April 29]. Available from here.

 

 

Related:

Breast health: What African Women Need to Know

 

 

Published: April 29, 2024

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