World Breastfeeding Week: Gynaec Dr Shilpa Agarwal on breastfeeding mistakes every new mom makes and how to avoid them

Learn the common breastfeeding mistakes new moms make and discover expert tips on ensuring successful breastfeeding for a healthy baby and mother.

World Breastfeeding Week 2026: Breast milk is essential for your baby. Proper feeding steps will help prevent infections and harmful consequences for your baby. Simple hand washing with soap and water before breastfeeding is very important. The mother should rub her hands for 20 seconds with soap and water and should rub in between the fingers too. Dry your hands with a soft, clean cotton towel. The mother should wear clean, washed clothes. They should wear loose cotton clothes and avoid padded bras. A comfortable feeding bra can be used, though it's not mandatory. Mom should avoid any chemicals, mainly talcum powder or perfumes, on her chest.

Breast care during breastfeeding

Wash your breasts and nipples during the shower with simple warm water. Air-dry the nipples; don’t rub them to dry. She should be told to keep her nipples dry and clean. Avoid scented soaps on your breasts, as they will affect the natural lubrication. “You can apply breast milk to your nipple after feeding and let it dry. A happy mother will have a happy child. Keep the mother and baby together, that is, rooming in. Mother should wear loose, comfortable clothes while feeding the baby,” Dr Shilpa Agarwal, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Specialist Fetal Medicine-Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, tells Health Shots.

The room should be well ventilated and lighted. Mother should be encouraged to sit with proper back support. Baby positioning should be proper, and latching should be proper. “Baby clothes and diaper should be comfortable. Support the baby’s whole body and not just the neck,” says the doctor. Baby’s head and body should be in a straight line. Give the areola in the baby’s mouth (dark area around the nipple)and not only the nipple.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid delay in starting breastfeeding post-delivery, irrespective of the mode of delivery.

1. Avoid keeping the baby in the cradle: Keep them as close to you as possible. Don’t use artificial pacifiers. Avoid bottle feeding unless recommended by your doctor. Confidence in yourself is of prime importance. Avoid fixed-time feedings and avoid forcing the baby to take the breast.
2. You should not interrupt feeding: Let the baby release the breast. The baby should be given exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. Do not give water or honey to the baby.
3. Avoid feeding on one breast: Give both breasts alternately. You should not be under stress during breastfeeding and should be happy and confident.
4. Avoid overfeeding: Basically, avoid thinking that the baby is crying because the baby is hungry. Don’t avoid some healthy foods for yourself thinking that it is not good for your baby. Drink plenty of fluids and water. Mothers avoid water thinking that it will increase their abdominal obesity.
5. Keep the baby's temperature normal: Avoid excessive wrapping or too hot an environment. The common belief is that the baby will get cold if exposed to normal temperature. Avoid top feeding if the baby is sleeping well, happy, and passing adequate urine. Night breastfeeding is essential.
6. Seek medical help early whenever needed: Not all medications are contraindicated in breastfeeding, so don’t stop essential medications on your own. Seek medical help for the same. They will guide you on whether you can take those medications or not.
7. Any redness or excessive pain in your breasts can indicate infection. Timely medical help is mandatory. Don’t ignore cracked nipples. If they are not treated immediately, it can lead to a breast abscess.
8. Breast milk is essential, as proved beyond doubt, but a word of caution: at times, due to medical reasons, if it is not possible to breastfeed your baby, don’t worry. Don’t feel guilty, don’t blame yourself, and don’t be depressed.

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.)