Hello Elisha and all,
We always wear gloves when assisting a mother and baby with breastfeeding
whether it is breast exam, assisting with positioning/attachment, or helping
with breast pumping. Beyond universal precautions, which are reason enough
for such practice, I consider a mother's breast as a "plate of food" for the
infant. That is no place for a stranger's ungloved hands! Speaking as one
coming with a strong public health background, it gives me the heebie-geebies
to think of not wearing gloves.
Pardee Hinson, MPH, IBCLC