Legend of the Boob: Common Myths and Truths About Breastfeeding
There are A LOT of breastfeeding myths out there. Sometimes they are enough to intimidate us into feeling defeated before we even start. Or, they’re enough to confuse us to the point where we question if we’re “doing it right.” Breastfeeding doesn’t have to be intimidating and confusing. We’re ready to tackle some of these myths and put your mind at ease! Keep reading to find out what WE think is the craziest myth of them all!
1. Breastfeeding is easy.
WRONG! While it is true that breastfeeding may have its conveniences, it is far from easy. It can come with its own challenges. Breastfeeding requires a lot of time and investment. It is said that on average a woman spends 1,800 hours breastfeeding in a year. It basically rivals a full time job, except with $0 salary. There also tends to also be a bit of a learning curve. It’s not something that comes naturally for everyone and work needs to be put in to foster a healthy breastfeeding relationship.
2. The size of your breast determines how much milk you produce.
NOPE! The size of your breast is determined by the amount of fatty tissue. Glandular tissue is what is responsible for milk storage and production. It includes the lobes that produce the milk and ducts that carry the milk. Small breasts do not equal insufficient glandular tissue. (Note: insufficient glandular tissue is a thing, but it is not characterized by breast size alone. Speak to your physician or a lactation consultant if this is a concern for you.)
3. You can’t eat certain foods.
NEGATIVE! Unless you find your baby has an allergy or intolerance, you do NOT need to change your diet. Just think of all the new foods, flavors, and nutrients you can expose your child to through your milk. You may find your baby gets more irritable with certain foods, but you don’t need to cut things out right from the start. Some exceptions to consider (for everyone really) are fish high in mercury, excessive caffeine, and alcohol.
4. Breastfeeding hurts.
WRONG-O! Yes, it’s true that you may feel some initial discomfort. Your nipples can be tender and your breasts engorged. However, any consistent and persisting pain should be evaluated by a lactation consultant to determine if there is a latch issue or something else underlying.
5. You can’t breastfeed when you’re sick.
FALSE…mostly. While there are certainly contraindications, for the most part, any minor illness you are fighting will produce and transfer antibodies to your baby through your breastmilk. You may have noticed, or will notice, a slight change in color with this milk. If you have concern about contact with baby during your illness, pumped milk will eliminate contact and still transfer antibodies for immunity. And of course, contact your physician with questions regarding specific illness and prescribed medications.
Check out the amazing difference between these two milks- one before a viral infection, and one during. Notice the change in color resembling higher antibody colostrum.
Image found at Parents.com.
6. If you can’t start right away, then you won’t be able to produce milk and breastfeed.
NEGATORY! If your baby is unable to latch right away, there are still things you can do to promote your milk supply! Skin to skin contact plays a key role in increasing hormones needed to produce. Keep your baby close as often as possible. Seeking out assistance from a lactation counselor to come up with an appropriate plan for pumping can also help get you started on the right track.
7. Milk “comes in” by day 3. If it doesn’t, you won’t be able to breastfeed.
FAKE NEWS! When your baby arrives, you are already producing colostrum. While many women report their milk “coming in” by day 3, for others it can take up to 5 days (or more.) The process can be very slow and gradual, and for others they may wake up one day completely engorged. There can be many factors that impact this feeling of fullness, including cesarean, iv fluids, pain medications used, length of labor, stress/birth trauma, blood loss, and retained placenta.
8. You have to wean your baby by age 1 or else they’ll never wean by themselves.
NO! Though sometimes it may feel never-ending, your child won’t go to college still breastfeeding. Promise. The average age of self weaning is between 2.5 and 4. Self weaning up to age 5, or longer, is still within a “normal” range. If self weaning is too much for you, then take on a mother-led, gentle weaning approach. You can read more about gentle weaning in previous blogs: links below.
9. Breastmilk after 1 year is “just for the mother” and has no benefit for the child.
UGH, NOOOOO! Breastmilk has no expiration date. It is constantly changing and adapting to suit your child’s needs. It does not stop being beneficial to your child on their first birthday, or by any date. The composition of breastmilk changes with your growing child, so at one year it has been found to have higher antibodies (think of those newly mobile kids putting everything in their mouths,) higher protein levels, and decreased carbohydrates. Don’t let anyone tell you it stops being beneficial at a certain time.
10. Breastfeeding is private and valuing and honoring your breastfeeding journey is WEIRD.
INCONCEIVABLE! You have spent countless hours along this journey. You’ve shared some incredibly beautiful and probably some incredibly difficult moments. Cherish them, honor them, and be proud of your accomplishments, no matter how smooth or ugly it may have been. Your precious memories preserved could look like this!
Alaina Leimbach, CLC (certified lactation counselor)
Office Administrator at Milk+Honey
