Care of the breast and support of breast-feeding

Abstract

Primary care physicians can integrate care of the breasts through a woman's life cycle. Early and frequent nursing and careful attention to the infant's suckling position during the postpartum period can prevent several common problems. Neonatal jaundice, poor weight gain, mastitis, and candidiasis should be recognized and managed correctly. Outside the puerperium, fibrocystic change, nonlactational mastitis, and benign breast masses are encountered commonly. Problems related to silicone augmentation are discussed briefly.