Breastfeeding Week 2017 – Myths and facts related to Breastfeeding
Once, while Sheena was Breast feeding her little one “Your baby seems hungry all the time, Are you producing enough milk for her” Varooni, her Sister in law asked. This one statement got stuck in Sheena’s heart and she went to her Doctor. Where doctor declared it, a myth. Breastfeeding connects you to your baby, bonding between mom and child, weight management, health, and immunity etc.
Breastfeeding has a major importance for an infant and as well as a new mom.
As Breastfeeding is all around associated with Infant and Mom, It gave ascend in numerous unworthy myths along.
Today, I will share some myths associated with breastfeeding, which I came along during my breastfeeding journey.
1. Myth: Mothers who give vaginal birth have a good quantity and quality of breast milk.
Truth: This has to do nothing with how the baby is delivered, Normal or C-section. Breastfeeding will happen naturally and this has no relation to the quantity and quality of Breast milk. If a new mom eats well, stay hydrated and gets ample rest she produces enough milk for her baby.
2. Myth: Milk production starts after few days of delivery.
Truth: The first milk produced is colostrum this doesn’t look like normal milk breast produces. But, this is very important for a newborn as it has maximum nutrient and is rich in vital immune boosters, New Moms are advised to start feeding within few hours after delivery.
3. Myth : A baby should nurse from both sides for equal duration.
Fact: If your baby is lactating for 10 to 15 minutes from one side he will never wish to go to another side. If baby sleeps after a few minutes of latching on one side and if you observe the same pattern on the other side. Then just enjoy being a mom.
4. The baby should feed at one side per feed and then on next side.
Fact: It’s upon baby’s need, some may suck on both sides and some may stick to one side per feed. It is better a baby should feed on one side for a longer period as the baby will get the hind milk which is good and rich in nutrients.
5. Myth : If you pump a milk and give to your baby in the bottle this will discourage breastfeeding.
The fact is no harm in switching between bottle and breast. I always preferred my baby to learn breast-feeding till he becomes 6 weeks and then I introduced a bottle with pumped milk once a day. I do need a break at times and it has no harm :).
6. Myth : If you have a breast infection of blocked ducts stop feeding your baby. This may pass the infection to your baby.
Truth: No this is not true. The fact is if your baby continues breastfeeding he will help you come out of the blocked duct problems. Blocked ducts happen only if a breast is full of milk and baby feeding pattern is changed.
7. Myth : Breast feeding affects baby’s sleeping pattern. Breast feeding baby will never sleep through the night.
Truth: Sleeping pattern in babies has nothing to do with Breastfeeding, Baby will feel like playing in the night will play, if a baby is hungry will cry and wake you up. The baby’s sleeping pattern keeps changing in every 20 to 30 days as per my personal experience.
8. Wash your nipples before every feed.
Truth: We are talking about breast-feeding not formula feeding by bottles. Washing nipples each time will unessential complicate the natural process. Nipples have protective oils which will wash away if you wash them again and again.
9. If a Mom is on medication She should not Breast feed.
Truth: Usually Doctors ask whether you nurse your baby before prescribing any medication to avoid any complications. And a very small percentage of the medicine goes to breast milk, which is not harmful to a baby.
10 Breastfeeding should be avoided if mom is sick.
Truth: In the case of common illness like Flu, Cold, Stomach infections, fever, etc Even in the case of Breast infection, there is no harm at all if you continue to breastfeed.
It’s been 2 decades, We observe International Breastfeeding week every year.Still, myths prevailing around the topic are surprisingly high. We lack to talk openly about breastfeeding and related issues with our friends and family. At times that is the reason we fail to observe myth and truth separately.
I would suggest to new moms, please reach out to a lactation expert for help, in case you wish to know anything related to Breastfeeding or need resolution of your queries. Do not hesitate.
Enjoy this phase, Just follow your gut before you get any unsolicited advice for breast-feeding. Stay healthy and happy.
Do not forget to share your breastfeeding experience in the comments below. For more breastfeeding facts follow us on Facebook.
Read some tips of newborn care during monsoon here.
Courtney
Thanks for opening the space for this conversation! It’s important that we can dig deep into this topic.
prasna
you nailed it.. What all suggestions a new mom gets.. ufff.. May be we can use this article for people to read before they visit the baby.
Naya @ Lactivist in Louboutins
Great list of myths and facts! Many moms hear these myths and it can really derail their breastfeeding journey!
Sarah
Great post! I struggled with so many of these myths with my first baby and finally figured it out by the third 🙂
Emily Young
Wash your nipples? Man i was lucky to have showered once a day! But i was concerned about even time on sides- good to know that’s a myth! thanks for sharing!
Ophira
Very informative post! We need more people talking about these myths
Tasheena @ SimplyTasheena.com
Thanks for sharing this list! So many myths that I thought were true.
Innana
This is really good info! There are so many myths out there about breastfeeding and this list is perfect to debunk them.
PUrva
There have been a fee myths mentioned here that i have heard of. Glad you cleared a fee doubts
Anjali Sengar
To be honest I too was not aware about few points.. Thanks for talking on this topic 🙂
Hope
Good information to put
Out there! On the Occasion of International Breastfeeding day.
Minakshi bajpai
Fabulous post on breastfeeding myths. I too faced some of these on my time. Its necessary to educate people about these useless myths. Thanks for sharing
Stefanie
That´s a very interesting and informative article. I never gave birth yet but I´m also planning to breast feed
Puspanjalee Das
The myth 5 had once made my life hell. But fortunately, I didnt lend my ears to it and nourish my baby even when I was away working. Thank you for busting the myths. I am sure the new mothers would love it. Sharing right away!
Dipika
Just the kind of mail should be written on the Breastfeeding week. Loved how you busted all the myths associated with lactating and feeding kids.
Brittani | Coffee Toddlers & Chaos
I love that you did a Myth and Fact post for breastfeeding. With people being so Pro-Breastfeeding I’ve found there’s a lot of misinformation put out surrounding this topic! Great post.
Amrit Kaur
These are necessary and useful to be shared with a pregnant lady. I will share it with my friend now.
Debolina
This is such an amazing article. Very precise, clear and helpful.
Sangeeta
Definitely, a must needed post for new moms who are constantly bombarded with don’t do this don’t do that. This post is definitely very useful to them.
Shell
Great list of myths and facts to help new mamas…
Jane
This is such a great post, there are so much myths and rumors out there about breastfeeding.. this is so educational. Thank you for sharing.
Charu Sareen Gujjal
Very useful post! I myself believed in a few of these myths. Gradually with time realised all this is not true. Only once you experience you are in a better position to understand.
Liz W.
Lots of great information! Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Sangeeta
Sometimes I wonder where these myths come. People really do like coming up with nonsense and claiming they are facts!
Heather LeGuilloux
These are all the questions/concerns I would have had as a woman who has yet to have children so thank you for calming some of my anxieties. Breastfeeding seems so important for not only the health of the baby but also the bond that can be created between mother and child. Thanks for this!
Shokhi Agarwal
Breastfeeding is a wonderful part of motherhood. Rather than be a victim of these myths, one should enjoy every moment of it!!
Mrinal
Really loved the post.. really very helpful for new babies and breastfeeding moms
jhilmil
Such an informative post.. Even I have heard old people saying that give birth naturally to get more milk, whereas it has no connection. There are so many myths & it needs to be busted. Good work
priyadarshani Panda
lovely post you have broken many myth that even educated people have …its a must read for new moms
Soniya ( beautyissh)
There are so many myths that I thought were facts ????????
I’m glad my misunderstandings are clear now
Rashmi
Wow it’s very helpful post for all those who are breast-feeding. Thanks for sharing this.
Ishieta @ Isheeria's
This is a great post! Very helpful and informative! indeed many of these myths still prevail and it is good to learn their truth!
Anamika
My father is a pediatrician … He guided me everytime. so I was not aware about those myth.
Rakhi Parsai
It’s about time that someone focused on these. There are so many people who live under assumptions and myths. We need more people like you who can share the reality and facts pertaining to breastfeeding
Prisha Lalwani
I struggled a lot during breastfeeding, and i must confess, lot of the things mentioned above were considered to be the truth by me. I wish i had this info handy back then 🙁
Dinesh
Ah.. That’s an eye opener.. Hope that helps nursing mothers
JAYSHREE BHAGAT
This one is really a great post on breastfeeding… Especially for all new mums
Marvella
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