Mothers' Practices on Hygiene of Breastfeeding and Breast Milk Equipment

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the cleaning and hygiene practices of breast milk equipment of mothers with infants aged 0-6 months in Turkey. Method: A descriptive study was carried out with 230 mothers who visited a family health center in & Idot;zmir between January and March 2023. Descriptive analyses were used in the evaluation of the data. Results: Half of the mothers washed their hands before breastfeeding or expressing milk, with an average daily breast care frequency of 3.90 +/- 2.90. Among those using feeding equipment, 85.7% boiled items, averaging 8.38 +/- 7.69 minutes, while 14% never boiled them. Cleaning frequency varied: 68.2% cleaned after each use, 21.2% daily, and 10.6% a few times a week. Water was the most common cleaning method. Conclusion: Health professionals should guide mothers in Turkey on the proper cleaning of breast milk equipment and emphasize the importance of handwashing as a basic hygiene practice.