Breastfeeding is an important part of a mother’s and a baby’s life, and ensuring proper and exclusive breastfeeding is fundamental to infant health. Although breastfeeding is a natural process, it is associated with several challenges, such as difficulty in suckling, less feed quantity, swelling at the breasts, and lump formation. In this regard, breast examination by a healthcare provider as well as self-breast examination help to address the challenges and improve the breastfeeding experience of mothers.
Breast examination should include the following: Ask the mother's permission. Observe for: Size and shape of the breast Size and shape of the nipple (may affect attachment) Dripping milk (to check active oxytocin reflex) Full, soft, engorged breast Fissures, white spots, or redness on the breast (to check inflammation or infection) The protracted or squashed appearance of the breast…
