Prevention of mastitis includes which practice?

• A. Avoid breastfeeding
• B. Use of formula instead of breastfeeding
• C. Frequent feeding with proper latch
• D. Delaying handwashing before feeding

Answer: (C)

Prevention of mastitis hinges on keeping milk moving and protecting the breast from stasis and trauma. Frequent feeding with a proper latch ensures the breast is emptied regularly, which reduces milk stasis that can fuel bacterial growth. A good latch also minimizes nipple and skin trauma, which lowers the risk of infection entering through cracks. When milk is removed effectively, engorgement is less likely and inflammation is unlikely to develop into mastitis.

Other options don’t support milk drainage as well: avoiding breastfeeding allows milk to accumulate and become engorged; relying on formula instead of breastfeeding reduces overall milk removal; delaying handwashing increases the chance of introducing bacteria.