30
Myths about Breastfeeding: Fact vs. Fiction
When
you first start nursing your kid, you'll hear a lot of advice, some of it
beneficial, some of it not so much. You may also discover that other sources
provide you with completely different facts! It's true: There are many
misunderstandings about nursing, and separating the truth from the falsehoods
can be tough.
We're
here to assist you. Here are some of the most frequent myths about
breastfeeding and chestfeeding, dispelled with facts, studies, and proof.
Top
30 Myths About Breastfeeding
1.
It's always painful at first.
When
learning how to latch and situate their baby, many new parents feel breast
soreness at first. It should not hurt if the baby is well latched on to the
breast. When your baby first latches on, there may be some small tugging, but
this should subside within a few seconds.
2.
Your child will instinctively know what to do.
According
to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies are born with reflexes that aid
in feeding, such as the rooting reflex, sucking reflex, and stepping reflex
(which helps your baby move to the breast!) (AAP).
That
doesn't imply your child will know exactly what to do when he or she is born.
You and your child are both learning.
3.
You'll bond with your infant immediately away.
Nursing
necessitates holding your kid near to you on a daily basis. According to a 2020
study review, it also releases "feel good" chemicals like prolactin
and oxytocin, which help you bond with your kid.
However,
this does not guarantee that all nursing parents will feel emotionally attached
to their children. It's perfectly fine if it takes you a little longer to fall
in love with your baby.
4.
If you become pregnant while nursing, you must wean.
The
process of acclimating your baby to foods other than breast milk is referred to
as "weaning." If a mother becomes pregnant while nursing, many
parents choose to wean her child (which is perfectly fine!). Continuing to
nurse while pregnant is also a viable option.
According
to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), breastfeeding throughout
pregnancy is widespread, and there is no reason to wean if the pregnancy is
normal and low-risk. Many women continue to nurse during their pregnancy, and
others opt to tandem nurse (nurse both kids at the same time) after the birth
of their second child.
5.
To nurse, you must have a great diet.
While
breast- or chest-feeding, you do not need to adjust your diet. Regardless of
how you eat, you will produce nourishing milk for your kid.
You
will require additional calories.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, you will
feel thirstier while breastfeeding, but you do not need to follow a specific
diet.
6.
Having insufficient milk for your infant is a common occurrence.
Some
nursing parents have medical, hormonal, or anatomical challenges that make
generating a complete milk supply challenging.
However,
most birth moms can produce adequate milk for their newborns if they feed
regularly and keep their babies well latched to the breast.
7.
You should anticipate nursing difficulties.
You
may have heard a million stories about new parents having difficulty
breastfeeding, and this is true. However, there are those parents who have
minimal difficulty or can overcome any obstacles with a few changes. You don't
have to approach nursing with a pessimistic mindset.
8.
If you're breastfeeding or chestfeeding, you won't be able to get pregnant.
According
to the CDCTrusted Source, if you are solely breastfeeding on demand (even at
night), haven't had a period, and your infant is under 6 months, you are
unlikely to be pregnant. But there are a lot of ifs there, and even these
criteria aren't perfect. Yes, you can become pregnant while nursing, and if you
don't want to become pregnant, you should take precautions.
9.
If you wish to nurse frequently, your infant is utilising you as a pacifier.
While
some newborns are fine with feedings every 3 hours or so, doctors say that many
babies, especially in the early days, require more frequent nursing. You can't
over-nurse a baby!
Not
only that, but nursing isn't just about nutrition: it's common for your kid to
seek comfort from you in addition to food, which is a legitimate need.
10.
You should wean your kid as soon as he or she starts eating solid foods.
Solid
foods are usually introduced in the middle of a baby's first year. Breast milk
(or formula) should, however, be their primary source of nutrition for at least
the first 12 months, according to the CDC.
Nursing
can be continued after 12 months at the feeding parent's discretion. Breast
milk continues to provide crucial nutrients and immunological protection to
babies as long as they nurse.
11.
Breastfeeding or chestfeeding will result in drooping breasts.
Breast
changes are noticeable in anyone who is pregnant. Sagging breasts are caused by
this, as well as the normal consequences of ageing and weight gain, rather than
through nursing.
12.
Breastfeeding aids weight loss
Nursing
is frequently promoted as a great way to decrease weight after pregnancy.
According to a study published in 2013, some people lose weight when nursing.
Others, according to 2015 research, do not.
Nursing
burns more calories, and some parents gain weight as a result. Focusing on excellent
nourishment rather than the number on the scale is the smartest thing to do
while nursing.
13.
If you breastfeed or chestfeed, your partner will have no role or ability to
assist you.
Many
people believe that nursing will leave their partner with nothing to do. But
this isn't the case! Yes, you'll be the one to make and deliver the milk, but
your partner will be busy as well.
They
can bring you your baby for feedings, supply all of your snacks and drinks,
burp the baby, change their diaper, soothe them when they are unhappy, and so
much more.
14.
You must not have enough milk if you can't pump much milk.
Pumping
has different effects on different people, and not everyone can "let
down" as easily for the pump as they can for nursing. As a result, the
number of ounces you pump isn't always a fair indicator of how much milk you
can create for your kid. You have adequate milk if your baby is growing and
thriving on it.
15.
You don't have enough milk or your milk isn't rich or full enough if your
infant wants to nurse regularly.
Some
people believe they don't have enough milk if their kid is "hungry all the
time." According to experts, some newborns simply nurse more frequently
than others. Other newborns will feed at the same time every day, usually in
the evening.
During
a growth spurt or a developmental leap, babies also nurse more frequently.
Looking at your baby is the greatest way to tell if you're producing enough
milk. You're doing excellent if they're peeing, growing, and reaching
milestones.
16.
If you want your breasts to "full up," you should wait longer between
feedings.
There
is always more milk in your breasts, and your breasts are never completely
"empty," so waiting until you are full to nurse makes little sense.
Not only that, but doctors claim that leaving your breasts full between
feedings signals your body to shut down milk production.
Feeding
your infant on demand is the best approach to time your feedings. This entails
nursing them anytime they exhibit signs of hunger.
17.
After the first few months, there are no benefits to breast milk.
The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively
for the first six months, then continue to be breastfed until they are at least
12 months old, even when solid meals are given. Breastmilk should be given to
kids until they are at least two years old, according to the World Health
Organization (WHO)Trusted Source.
Breast
milk continues to provide crucial nutritional and immunological benefits for
babies well into the first few months of life, according to experts.
18.
During the first several days after giving birth, you don't have any milk.
Although
your breasts don't begin to fill up and produce mature milk until a few days
after your baby is born, that doesn't imply you won't have milk at first.
Colostrum,
your baby's first milk, begins to be produced in the middle of pregnancy and is
available to your infant immediately after birth. Colostrum, according to
experts, is the ideal first food for your newborn since it contains antibodies
and immunities that safeguard your child.
19.
You are not allowed to take any medications while breast- or chest-feeding.
According
to the CDC, most drugs are safe to take while nursing, with a few exceptions.
Even if a drug isn't appropriate for nursing, there is typically a safe
alternative. That means you can use medications to address both basic ailments
like pain and fever and more serious medical problems.
Before
taking any drug, it's wise to speak with your doctor. You can also look up
information on the safety of most common medicines and their effects on
breastfeeding in LactMed, a resource from the National Library of Medicine.
20.
You’ll spoil your baby if you nurse them too much
Babies
are born with the desire to be held and to nurse regularly (every 1 to 3 hours
is usual at initially). You can't possibly spoil your child by feeding them
constantly. All babies outgrow the need to be fed so frequently, and before you
know it, your baby will be crawling, walking, and finally running away from
you, exploring the world.
21.
Breastfed babies don’t get sick
If
they are exposed to viruses or other infections while being nursed, they will
become ill. That isn't to say, however, that breast milk isn't protective.
Ear
infections and stomach viruses are less likely in children who are fed breast
milk. This is due to the fact that it isn't just food. It also contains immune
elements that keep infants from being severely ill if they are exposed to a
virus or infection.
22.
Breastfeeding improves your baby's intelligence
According
to the Office of Women's Health, breast milk is a fantastic source of nutrients
and has been shown to protect your kid from illnesses and diseases such as
asthma, diabetes, and obesity, even after they have stopped nursing.
The
link between breastfeeding and IQ, on the other hand, is less obvious. Some
research, like this one from 2022, revealed no statistically significant
correlation between nursing and improved IQ.
23.
If you're unwell, you should cease breastfeeding.
When
nursing parents are sick, they often believe they must stop nursing in order to
protect their baby. Breast milk, on the other hand, is critical for babies who
have been exposed to a virus. According to a study published in 2021, breast
milk has antibodies that aid in the fight against illnesses.
If
you nurse your baby when you're sick, your infant will be less likely to catch
whatever ailment you have.
24.
If your baby screams after breastfeeding, he or she is still hungry or there
isn't enough milk in the bottle.
Babies
scream and complain for a variety of reasons, not all of which are related to
hunger. Your baby may need to be burped, have a diaper change, or be
overstimulated if they are irritable after nursing.
Don't
think your baby is fussing because they are hungry or because you aren't
producing enough milk if they are growing and feeding frequently.
25.
You must wean your infant once he or she has teeth.
Many
parents believe that as their children develop teeth, nursing will become
painful. However, this is only true if your infant actively grips your breast.
Your
nipple does not make contact with their upper teeth during nursing, and their
bottom teeth are hidden by their tongue. According to the AAP, many babies with
teeth or who are teething do not bite while eating.
26.
When you return to work, you must wean.
While
returning to work can make breastfeeding more difficult, many nursing parents
find methods to make it work. When you're not with your infant, you'll need to
pump.
However,
you can cut down on the amount of milk you need to pump at work by nursing your
baby soon before you leave for work, right when you get home, and frequently
during your time with your baby. The majority of parents are able to find a
breastfeeding and pumping regimen that suits them.
27.
Breastfeeding is completely free.
The
cost of formula and bottles can quickly add up, yet it's a common misconception
that breastfeeding is absolutely free. To begin with, most parents will need to
purchase pumps and bottles, which is an immediate cost. When you factor in
breast creams, nursing tops and bras, as well as potential lactation
consultations, the expenditures can quickly pile up. In addition, nursing takes
time: It takes a nursing parent's time, effort, and labour for hours upon
hours.
28.
Breastfeeding is impossible if you have tiny breasts, huge breasts, inverted
nipples, or flat nipples.
Smaller
breasts can produce the same amount of milk as larger breasts. Large breasts
and flat or inverted nipples can make nursing more difficult, but not everyone
has these concerns. Furthermore, several strategies can help to alleviate these
anxieties.
30.
If you're breastfeeding or chestfeeding, you can't drink coffee or alcohol.
While
you shouldn't consume too much caffeine while nursing, doctors recommend that
you consume the equivalent of 2 to 3 cups of coffee every day. Similarly, the
CDC states that drinking the equivalent of one alcoholic beverage on a rare
basis is unlikely to harm your infant.
You
can reduce your risk even more by not breastfeeding or chestfeeding for at
least two hours after you've had your drink. It's important to note that you
don't need to "pump and dump" after consuming alcohol.
Nursing
isn't a zero-sum game. Many nursing moms need to supplement with formula because
their milk production is poor, they can't pump enough milk while separated from
their infant, or they just don't want or need to nurse.
The
main thing to remember is that supplementing with formula does not make you a
failure. Breast milk in any quantity is beneficial to your kid, and you are
doing an excellent job. When it's time for you and your baby to stop nursing,
do so.