We’ve already established that I’m a breastfeeding activist and that the misinformation women are given hacks me off. Just what are some of the myths that have made my blood boil? Check out these breastfeeding myths, as well as the solutions to keep you from being told it’s time to stop breastfeeding when you may not want to stop.
– Baby needs to “top off” with formula in the first week because Mother’s milk hasn’t come in yet.
I heard this recently from friends that are first-time parents and was livid. True, the milk often doesn’t come in until mid-to-late in the first week. Also true is that the mother is producing colostrum, which is high in antibodies and growth factors that actually help prepare the baby’s digestive system for the milk that will come. It isn’t much, but neither is the baby’s digestive tract. It’s enough, I promise.
– If Baby starts wanting to nurse more frequently, it’s because he’s hungry and you’re not making enough milk.
This is true – the baby is hungry and you aren’t making enough milk – yet. The sad part is that doctors leave out some all-important information: the baby is going through a growth spurt and would want to eat more frequently if on formula. The more frequent nursing will increase your milk production and meet the baby’s growing needs. For the record: yes, you will most likely feel like a cow. Yes, you will feel like your child is permanently attached to your breast. Yes, you will feel like this will go on forever. It won’t. ”Regular” nursing frequency will usually return within a week or two.
– Once you’ve got the hang of it, breastfeeding is easy and you shouldn’t have any more problems.
As I left the hospital with each of my children, nothing was ever said about running into problems with breastfeeding or what to do about them. I had my children at three different hospitals, so that wasn’t the problem. I have seen many mothers shocked by nursing difficulty postpartum because they were given the impression (if not outright told) that once they got position and latch down, everything was smooth sailing from there on out.
– Problems with breastfeeding indicate that you need to wean your baby.
In both my personal experience and in observation of every nursing mother I’ve known, there will be some kind of difficulty with breastfeeding between weeks two and eight postpartum. It is often during the same time period that many women stop breastfeeding and wean their children under the misguided assumption that they cannot breastfeed a child. Here are some of the completely surmountable issues that become death-knells for nursing, along with solutions that you probably won’t hear from your ob/gyn or pediatrician:
- Growth Spurt – see the previous list item – simply nurse the baby more often to meet growing nutritional needs
- Nipple Confusion – when a bottle is introduced as Mother returns to work – find a nipple that most closely resembles the shape and feel of the mother’s nipple (and be patient!)
- Engorgement – too much milk or full breasts (usually after the marathon nursing during a growth spurt) – ice or cabbage leaves will relieve the pressure
- Plugged Ducts – a buildup of milk in one spot – change nursing positions so that the baby’s chin is closer to the plugged duct and gently massage the duct, rubbing down towards the baby’s mouth
- Mastitis – very painful infection within a duct – clearing the duct using the above method is helpful, but antibiotic treatment is usually needed; medical and naturopathic options exist – see your healthcare provider
- Thrush – yeast infection that can affect the baby’s mouth or the mother’s breast – treatment is usually needed – again, medical and naturopathic options exist – see your healthcare provider
Disclaimer: I am not a medical or lactation professional. The opinions expressed here are solely my own and should not replace competent, professional treatment as needed. Check with your healthcare provider before changing the care or feeding of your infant.
