All a mother needs to do is mention she's breastfeeding, and instantly, everyone seems to have an opinion or wants to give advice. While some mean well and truly know what they’re talking about, some might be doing just the opposite and cause more harm than good as too often the wrong information is passed along.
Dr Jack Newman (physician specializing in breastfeeding) and lactation consultant Edith Kernerman have put together an information sheet regarding breastfeeding myths. Let’s have a look at some of them.
Myth: Many women don’t produce enough milk.
Truth: The vast majority of women produce more than enough milk. Babies who gain too slowly in the beginning, or lose weight, do so not because the mother doesn’t have enough milk, but because the baby doesn’t get the milk that the mother has. The usual reason for that is a poor latch. It’s very important that the mother gets shown how to latch a baby properly by someone who knows what they are doing. If a baby constantly latches wrong and causes constant nipple pain, seek help immediately. The better the latch, the better the baby can get all the milk out
Myth: It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt.
Truth: If breastfeeding hurts, something is wrong! Some tenderness during the first few days is relatively common seeing that your nipples need to get used to this new sensation but it must never be so bad that you dread breastfeeding. There are other possibilities including sucking issues with baby from birth interventions or physical characteristics such as tongue – or lip tie.(http://feedthebabyllc.com/tongue-and-lip-tie/) A new onset of pain when things have been going well for a while may be due to thrush (http://www.llli.org/faq/thrush.html) of the nipples. You will have to seek medical help so that both you and baby can be treated.
Myth: There is no (not enough) milk during the first 3 day or 4 days after birth.
Truth: Though it might seem like that, baby needs to be latched on properly in order to get the milk. Colostrum is the mother’s first milk baby gets before the mature milk comes in. If the baby isn’t latched properly, he is unable to get to the colostrum or milk. If anyone suggests you pump your milk to know how much colostrum there is, doesn’t understand breastfeeding, and should be politely ignored.
Myth: A breastfeeding baby needs extra water in hot weather.
Truth: Breastmilk contains all the water a baby needs, especially the first 6 months. When you start introducing solids from about 6 months, you can introduce a little bit of water at mealtimes.
Myth: A baby should be on the breast 20 (10, 15) minutes on each side.
Truth: Firstly, a distinction needs to be made between “being on the breast” and “breastfeeding”. If a baby is actually drinking for about 15-20 mins on the first side, he may not want to take the second side. No amount of time will be enough if he only drinks a minute on the first side, nibbles or sleeps, and does the same on the other side. Babies will breastfeed longer and better if latched on properly. Sometimes to help a baby breastfeed longer and better is if the mother uses breast compression to keep the flow of milk going, once he is no longer drinking on his own. (Breast Compression - what it is & how to do it)
Myth: Pumping is a good way of knowing how much milk the mother has.
Truth: Pumping is no indication of how much milk you have. There are many factors that can influence how much milk a mother pumps out – stress, being tired, upset, in pain or not getting a let-down (it allows your milk supply to flow out of your breasts to your baby) for the pump. Your baby is far more efficient than a pump.
Myth: Breastmilk doesn’t contain enough iron for the baby’s needs.
Truth: Breastmilk contains just enough iron for the baby’s needs. According to THE BREASTFEEDING ANSWER BOOK, published by LLLI, the full-term healthy baby usually has no need of additional iron until about the middle of his first year, around the time he starts taking solids. The high lactose ad vitamin C levels in human milk aid the absorption of iron, and breastfed babies don’t lose iron through their bowels.
Myth: Night feedings are NOT important.
Truth: Prolactin levels (the hormone responsible for milk production) are highest at night, so those night feedings (or pumping sessions) are important for milk production. Not only that, some babies whose mothers had to return to work make up for missed feeds as some babies don’t want to drink the expressed milk left for them or only drink enough to keep them happy until mommy arrives.
Myth: If the mother is taking medicine she shouldn’t breastfeed.
Amanda Best Hofmeyr says, “I had a breast abscess and was told by the doctor to stop breastfeeding as I had to have it removed surgically as well as take antibiotics. I was even given tablets to dry up my milk supply. I was in a fair amount of pain at the time and did not think straight and took the tablets. After the operation I thought about it more clearly and realised that I never had to do that. I am now in the process of re-lactating which is quite frustrating (but successful). Just wished I knew two weeks ago what I know now.”
Truth: There are very few medicines that a mother can’t take safely while breastfeeding. If a medicine is truly of concern, there are usually equally effective, alternative medicines that are safe.
Unfortunately, so many breastfeeding mothers hear these statements and then start doubting breastfeeding. Before giving up or believing what your family, friends or health professional’s opinions are, rather get help from experts who know. - Juanne Cronjé
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