How To Maintain Hygiene While Breastfeeding ?

Breastfeeding is one of the most glorified milestones in the life of a new mom. However, it is also the time when a first time mommy is struggling with so many issues and adding on to it is maintaining the hygiene routine for a healthy baby and an equally healthy mommy.

Latching, how to increase milk supply, even what nursing bra to buy – you've heard all the advice there is about breastfeeding. But how about hygiene? It's not very often that someone tells you about maintaining hygiene while nursing your child. But a thorough hygiene routine is absolutely essential to ensure that both baby and mother to stay healthy through the nursing period.  Our proparent Reetika Juneja shares 8 tips to maintain hygiene while breastfeeding. 

Tips to Maintain Good Hygiene while Breastfeeding Your Newborn Baby

While it is a known fact that your milk protects your baby from all the viruses and diseases that may try to harm him or her, breastfeeding also helps the mother. When your baby is ready for her feed, it is natural that your first thought is to just feed her, no matter what. But just take a moment to ensure that a hygiene routine is followed so that your baby and you are protected from all the possible diseases.

1. Wash your hands before and after every feed: A basic, yet important thing to do – washing hands thoroughly is the first step to ensuring hygiene. Whenever you're ready to feed your baby ensure to wash your hands with a good hand wash or sanitize them to prevent the germs transfer from your hands to your baby
2. Cleanliness and adequate ventilation: Keep the room where you breastfeed well ventilated and clean.
   • Dishes with stale food still lying around the room, layers of dust, unwashed clothes – it's easy for a room to get dirty and cluttered, especially when there are more important tasks to take care of
   • But a clean, airy room is a basic necessity before you feed your baby
   • Germs from all these items can easily make you and your baby sick, so get help and clean up before you feed
3. Wear loose comfortable clothes: New born babies need to be fed on demand during the day, as well as through the night.
   • Working complex buttons or zippers each time you need to feed your child will prove frustrating
   • Make sure you wear comfortable clothes that are breastfeeding friendly to avoid discomfort
   • You can try nursing tops and nightclothes, or even regular clothes that don't have too many buttons and zippers
4. Keep spare nursing bras: This doesn't mean that you have to stock up on nursing bras to keep changing them daily. But yes, having another one while one is in the laundry will certainly help maintain good hygiene
5. Tie your hair: With long hair, you're better off tying it up in a high bun or a pony tail that doesn't fall in front when you're feeding your baby. This way, the hair won't get in the way, and your baby won't ingest stray strands of hair
6. Changing sheets frequently: It's quite easy to forget to change bed sheets regularly. But bed sheets can become a hotbed for germs when unwashed for long.
   • Newborn babies have immature immune systems, making them susceptible to catching infections easily
   • Make sure you change bed sheets once in a few days. Add a little antiseptic liquid in the rinse cycle when you're washing the sheets
7. Moisturize your nipple with breast milk: While feeding your breast milk is the best medicine for you when it comes to nipple soreness, to clean baby's saliva or any other particle from your nipple use your breast milk.
   • When you are done with feeding your baby just pump 2-3 drops of your breast milk and rub over your nipple and let it air dry.
   • This protects your nipples from all sorts of cuts, bruises or pain.
8. Change the breast pads frequently: If you are using breast pads to prevent leakage stain over your clothes then it is better to change the breast pad every time you feel wet. This will help prevent infections

Breastfeeding is a physically and emotional exacting journey for a new mother. Little things such as maintaining good hygiene will go a long way in making it a fulfilling experience. Happy parenting!

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