Common Breastfeeding Myths
Yes! Breastfeeding Myths! This means that not all you have read or been told about breastfeeding is true. This means that you are not alone in having to wonder if some of the things you have been told about breastfeeding is the truth or not.
So, yes, here are some common myths and my reaction to it:
Myth 1: Breastfeeding is supposed to be painful!
This is simply not true. Many women find that breastfeeding does hurt, but that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. If breastfeeding is still hurting your nipples after the first three or four days, it’s probably because your baby isn’t latching on properly to your breast. There could also be other reasons related to your babies oral cavity or your breast and nipple anatomy. Painful breastfeeding shouldn’t be ignored or accepted, it can be overcome – speak to your local IBCLC>
Myth 2: Many women don’t produce enough milk. Not true! Most women are capable of producing even more milk than their baby actually needs. The problem is most likely not with milk production but with the baby getting access to the milk. He may not be latching on properly or something else is not right – are you holding him in the correct position, for example? Some other common reasons for low milk supply is that perhaps a mother is taking medication that is interfering in her ability to produce a fully supply. Perhaps she has had breast surgery that has an impact on her milk production. A Board Certified Lactation Consultant ( IBCLC), will provide a complete evaluation to help get to the bottom of this!
Myth 3: If babies feed a lot, that means they aren’t getting enough milk.
Because breast milk is so easy to digest, babies generally get hungrier sooner than if they are formula-fed. It’s appropriate for your breastfeeding newborn baby to eat every two to three hours. If everything else is going well with your babies output, weight gain, contentness after feeds, feeding frequency alone is not a sign of breastfeeding problems or low milk supply.
Myth 4: A breastfeeding baby needs extra water in hot weather.
This is a great myth I would love to debunk! Especially for those of us living here in Arizona. I meet many mothers who report they are being pushed by family members to give their well fed babies some water in a bottle, largely because it is to hot here in Arizona. This is not necessary as breastmilk contains all the water a baby needs. This also serves as a gentle reminder to feed babies whenever they show hunger cues as frequent breastfeeding ensures that your baby will stay well hydrated.
These are just a few of the many myths that I encounter on a daily basis in my private practice. Check back again as I will be adding more to this list in future posts.