Myths & Truths about Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for infants and provides many benefits for both mother and baby. However, there are many misconceptions surrounding this topic that can make it difficult for mothers to start or continue it. With World Breastfeeding Week that just ended, let’s have a look at some myths and truths that may be helpful for new mothers.
- Myth: Breastfeeding is painful.
- Truth: Breastfeeding can be uncomfortable and weird for the first few days, but usually the pain subsides as your breasts adjust to nursing. Any discomfort beyond the normal, it is good to discuss with the doctor, our midwife or a lactation consultant.
- Myth: Breastfed babies are more attached to their mothers.
- Truth: Breastfed babies feel secure and connected to their mother’s skin and heartbeat, but that doesn’t mean formula-fed babies can’t have a strong bond with their mother.
- Myth: Breastfeeding is not necessary if the infant is healthy.
- Truth: Breastfeeding is important for infant’s health, even if they are healthy. Breast milk is more digestible than formula and provides the infant with all the nutrients it needs to grow.
- Myth: Women with small breasts do not produce enough milk.
- Truth: Breast size has nothing to do with the amount of milk produced.
- Myth: Working mothers can’t breastfeed.
- Truth: Working moms can breastfeed successfully, either by breastfeeding exclusively or by combining both breastfeeding and formula. There are many options to help working mothers breastfeed, including milk storage, or using a breast pump.
- Myth: Many mothers cannot produce enough milk.
- Truth: Nature has designed the human body to produce as much milk as the baby needs. The amount of milk produced by a mother depends on how often – properly she breastfeeds the infant.
- Myth: Breastfeeding causes the mother’s breasts to relax.
- Truth: Breast sagging is a result of pregnancy and lactation, whether a woman is breastfeeding or not.
- Myth: It is difficult to wean a baby if it has been breastfed for more than a year.
- Truth: There is no scientific explanation for the difficulty of breastfeeding after one year. Ultimately, the decision about how long a mother will breastfeed should be made jointly with her child, taking into account their individual needs.
- Myth: Breastfeeding will cause the mother to lose weight.
- Truth: Breastfeeding can help mothers lose weight, but it’s not a magic bullet. Weight loss while breastfeeding depends on several factors, including also diet and exercise.
- Myth: Breastfeeding mothers do not need nutritional supplements.
- Truth: Breastfeeding mothers have increased needs for certain nutrients, such as iron, calcium, vitamin D and DHA (fatty acids). Taking nutritional supplements can help meet the increased needs and ensure that the baby gets all the nutrients it needs for healthy development.
