What Are the Proper Breastfeeding Techniques That Reduce the Risk of Mastitis?
One of the most important routines that enters our lives after birth is the breastfeeding process. Breastfeeding can, in some cases, turn into a highly challenging process for mothers. Infant breast refusal, incorrect breastfeeding techniques, and similar situations may not only harm the baby's nutrition. They can also lead to the development of mastitis and similar health problems in the mother. Such situations can prevent the baby from feeding adequately and healthily, thereby harming their growth and development process.
One of the most common health problems experienced by mothers during the breastfeeding, or lactation, period is mastitis, in other words, breast infections. Mastitis, also colloquially known as milk fever, can develop due to various reasons. However, incorrect breastfeeding techniques may underlie most cases. A properly planned breastfeeding period at the right time intervals and in the correct position can reduce the likelihood of the mother experiencing mastitis. It can also ensure a healthy and comfortable breastfeeding period for both the baby and the mother.
What Are the Symptoms Indicating You Have Mastitis?
Mastitis (breast infection) in breastfeeding mothers is a significant inflammatory condition that can cause complaints such as severe pain, redness, and swelling in the breast. To list the most common symptoms of mastitis:
- Thickening occurring in the breast tissue,
- Tenderness,
- An increase in body temperature that you will feel when touching the breast,
- Sores forming on the nipple,
- Burning and pain felt during breastfeeding,
- Discharge observed from the nipple,
- The person constantly feeling tired and exhausted.
Why Does Breastfeeding-Related Mastitis Occur?
The breast infection we call mastitis is closely related to the anatomical structure of the breast. The breast consists of mammary glands that perform the function of producing milk and ducts responsible for carrying the milk to the nipple. If the milk in the breast is not completely emptied after breastfeeding, blockages can occur in the milk ducts. This situation damages the breast's milk production capacity and, at the same time, can lead to inflammation and infection due to the blockage.
Similarly, incorrect breastfeeding methods can also prevent the complete emptying of the milk in the breast. This is one of the factors that trigger the development of mastitis. For the strengthening of the baby's immune system, the establishment of both a physical and emotional bond between mother and baby, and the health of the mother and baby, it is of great importance that breastfeeding is done with the correct techniques and in the right position.
How Should Proper Breastfeeding Be Against the Risk of Mastitis?
The first food of babies is breast milk. The application of correct breastfeeding techniques is essential for the baby to be fed, for their immunity to strengthen, and for their development process to progress healthily. In this context;
- The baby needs to be breastfed within the first half-hour, or at the latest within one hour, of saying hello to life. Because the breast milk secreted from the breast during this period, called colostrum, is rich in probiotics and prebiotics and is of great importance for the immune system. The baby must absolutely consume this milk.
- Another important point is the complete emptying of the milk in the mother's breast. This both prevents possible blockages and infections and ensures that milk production continues at high capacity. As much as possible, the baby should suckle all the milk in the breast; when they cannot, the remaining milk in the breast can be expressed with a pump.
- The breastfeeding position is important not only for the baby's adequate and comfortable feeding but also to prevent the formation of mastitis. The primary criterion for the breastfeeding position is that the mother is comfortable. The baby should be placed on the inner part of the mother's arm; their head should be positioned in the crook of the elbow.
- During breastfeeding, the mother should be in a position to support the baby from their back to their bottom with her hand. The baby's neck should not be crooked. Because if the baby's neck aches, it can cause them to tire quickly while suckling and stop feeding.
- While the baby is suckling, the breast can be massaged with oval movements. This movement facilitates milk flow and at the same time helps to clear existing blockages.
- The baby should be breastfed frequently and whenever they want. A completely emptied breast fills up in about three hours on average. This requires babies to be breastfed in three-hour periods.
