What is an important guideline to follow when assisting with breastfeeding?

Performing proper hand hygiene is essential when assisting with breastfeeding for several reasons. Firstly, maintaining cleanliness helps to prevent infections both for the mother and the infant. Newborns have immature immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections. By practicing good hand hygiene before handling the baby or any breastfeeding equipment, the risk of transmitting harmful bacteria or viruses is significantly reduced.

Moreover, encouraging an environment of cleanliness can also promote a sense of safety and comfort for the mother, allowing her to focus on the breastfeeding process without worry about contamination. Hand hygiene practices, such as washing hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, are fundamental components of infection control in healthcare settings and should be strictly adhered to in any context involving the care of infants.

The other options suggested do not align with best practices for supporting breastfeeding. Keeping the mother standing is not conducive to comfort or effective feeding; encouraging distracting noises can interfere with the bonding process between mother and baby; and limiting fluid intake for the mother can negatively affect her milk supply. Therefore, proper hand hygiene emerges as the most vital guideline.