10 Breastfeeding Myths Debunked

Snuggle Bugz | August 4, 2018 | Comments 0

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New mothers often find themselves on the receiving end of all kinds of advice. Most people are genuinely trying to be helpful, but unfortunately, few topics attract more heated debate, misinformation, and confusion than breastfeeding.Many new moms who start breastfeeding find themselves hearing some of these “old wives' tales” and myths about breastfeeding that have no scientific basis or even logical justification. Far too often, you have to sift through a lot of breastfeeding misinformation in order to get the truth. That's why we partnered with Medela to get to the bottom of these myths and share some information that you may just find helpful!

Myth #1:
If You Have Small Breasts, You Won’t Produce Enough Milk to Feed Your Baby.

Size doesn’t matter! Whether you’re buxom or flat-chested, the size of your breasts has no impact on your body’s ability to produce milk.

First, let’s look at a few facts about the anatomy of the breast. Breast size is caused by the amount of fatty and fibrous tissue, not the milk-producing glands. Second, breast milk production is hormonally stimulated and increases with the baby’s demand. It’s very clever – the baby is in control of the amount of milk produced, and the breast size makes no difference at all. Very simply, increasing the frequency of breastfeeding sessions with a baby increases the milk supply. There are many things that can affect the production of milk like stress, tiredness or depression, but the size of your breast size is not a contributing factor. Milk storage capacity in the breast may differ, so some moms may have a larger or smaller milk storage capacity, which may lead to your baby nursing less or more frequently. But as long as the breasts are being drained effectively, your body will keep producing more breast milk.

Myth #2:
It Is Normal for Breastfeeding to Hurt.

While many women have some initial discomfort related to getting the baby to latch on to the nipple properly, breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful.

Some moms do comment that the first few times they breastfeed, it feels “different,” but that shouldn’t be a surprise since you’ve likely never experienced a liquid coming through the milk ducts and out your nipples before. Challenges are often related to the infant, not the mother. Babies may not be able to latch properly for example, so mothers shouldn’t automatically assume that it is their breast or breast milk production that is the problem.

Myth #3:
A Mother Must Drink Milk to Make Milk.

Sorry milk lovers. This just isn’t true. Milk production is tied to how well the breast is being drained of breast milk.

You have to remember this is a supply and demand situation. Your breast will begin increasing or decreasing production to meet the consumption needs of your baby. While you don’t need cow’s milk to make human milk, you do need water, so remember to make sure you are drinking enough water while you are breastfeeding.

Myth #4:
Breastfeeding Mothers Should Always Use Both Breasts at Each Feeding.

Your breasts “know” how much milk they need to make, depending on the baby’s demands.

If you go too long without nursing from one breast, it might start to feel full – but you don’t have to worry about whether the baby is drinking from both breasts at every single feeding. In fact, on the range of “normal” when it comes to breast preference shows that 30% of babies always take just one breast, 13% always take both breasts, and 57% mix it up!

Myth #5:
Frequent Nursing Causes a Child to Be Obese Later in Life.

Obesity results from a variety of complex factors, some genetic, some environmental, social, or psychological.

In most situations, it is a result of the body receiving more calories than it needs, for extended periods of time. Because glucose (the fuel our body uses) is actually damaging to our cells if it’s in our blood at too high a concentration, our body stores it as glycogen in fat/adipose tissue. When we eat too much and don’t use that energy, the glycogen accumulates in the adipose tissue, the cells get bigger, and we get fatter. This can lead to diabetes. Frequent nursing by babies is normal, with research showing babies will nurse 4-13 times per day. The trick is to remember that babies are preprogrammed to eat when they are hungry or need energy, not always when we want them to feed. This is called “cue-based feeding” and is recommended by

Health Canada

and has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Myth #6:
Nursing a Baby After 12 Months Is of Little Value Because the Quality of Breast Milk Begins to Decline After Six Months.

Breast milk doesn’t decline in quality over time.

It’s true that breast milk composition changes throughout the breastfeeding duration, but this is just another sign of how perfectly breast milk has developed to continue meeting your baby’s developing needs.

It’s important to remember that many of your baby’s systems will develop over years, not simply 6 or 12 months, which is why breast milk helps to continue to meet those developing requirements.

The reason we add complementary foods to breast milk at 6 months isn’t because breast milk is no longer important, it’s simply because your baby nutritional/caloric needs are no longer met by breast milk alone.

Your breast milk will continue to provide your baby immune protection, as well as nutrition, the entire time you continue providing your baby with breast milk. This is important because it takes years before a child’s immune system matures fully. Some parts won’t be fully developed until he’s over 10 years old!

Myth #7:
Don’t Breastfeed if You’re Sick

Breastfeeding is safe and healthy for babies, even if the mother is feeling under the weather.

In fact, part of the benefit of breastfeeding is that because your baby is likely exposed to the same cold or flu that you picked up, it’s easier for your mature immune system to develop the antibodies and leukocytes to fight the cold/flu than theirs.

These antibodies and leukocytes are transferred through your breast milk when you breastfeed.

Ingenious, isn’t it? The only exception is if you’re taking a medication that is not safe for breastfeeding mothers (always check with your doctor and pharmacist and make sure they know that you’re breastfeeding).

Check out this link for some advice from The Hospital for Sick Children on medications/alcohol and breastfeeding.

Flu viruses can be especially challenging on newborns, since their immune system is not yet mature. For this reason, it is best to make sure you have been vaccinated, as recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada with the annual flu vaccine.

Remember, when you get vaccinated, your body will build the antibodies and leukocytes that will get transferred through your breast milk to your baby to help protect him from that virus.

Myth #8:
Breastfeeding Is a Fool-Proof Birth Control Method.

Breastfeeding can delay return of menstrual cycle and affect the levels of certain fertility hormones.

This seems to have been nature’s way of helping to ensure a safe spacing between children. However, breastfeeding is not a reliable birth control method. It is definitely still possible to get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding.

According to data from Planned Parenthood, about 2 out of 100 women who continuously breastfeed, will still become pregnant in the first six months. So if you aren’t ready to get pregnant again, consider using another form of birth control in addition to breastfeeding.

Myth #9:
Breastfeeding Babies Don’t Need Extra Vitamin D.

Health Canada explains that Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps the body use calcium and phosphorous to build and maintain strong bones and teeth.

It is recommended that breastfed infants take a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 µg (400 IU). For infants 6 to 24+ months Health Canada suggests continuing a Vitamin D supplement. They explain that there is no national survey data, but that smaller studies suggest young children may be at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency if they are breastfed without vitamin D supplementation.

The Canadian Paediatric Society also recommends Vitamin D supplement for infants under six months of age.

Myth #10:
Women With Inverted or Flat Nipples Can Breastfeed

Breasts and nipples come in all shapes and sizes.

The size of your breasts doesn’t matter for your milk supply and the same is true for the shape of your nipples.

It’s true that some nipples are often a bit easier for the baby to latch onto than others, but if you have concerns there are some tools to help out.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let breastfeeding myths hold you back. Do your research and be a better-informed mom. Arm yourself with well documented and credible breastfeeding facts so you know which advice to ignore.

What are some other questionable breastfeeding myths that you’ve heard? Leave a comment and let us know.