Maybe the biggest myth: breastfeeding is easy and natural!
Truth: babies are born with a set of behaviors that help them get to the breast, but breastfeeding is a learned skill for both mom and baby which gets easier, in most cases, with a little time and practice.
The myth: I can’t breastfeed when baby is born because I don’t have any milk/my breasts are soft/ I didn’t leak during pregnancy/or milk doesn’t come in until day 3.
The Truth: your body starts producing the first milk, called colostrum, between the 12th and 15th week gestation. Colostrum really is milk, in a simpler form because your baby is new to the business of digesting. As your baby’s gut matures, so will the milk. It will also become more plentiful and you should start to feel fuller in 2-3 days, sometimes up to 5 days, but not have your breasts become hard. Baby tummies are only about the size of a ping pong ball when they are born, not even one whole ounce big! So it won’t feel like a lot at first. Both leaking or not leaking before delivery are normal and fine.
The myth: I can’t breastfeed because I have small breasts.
The truth: breast size is determined by how much fat overlays what works and most women have the functional tissue. Milk production is not based on breast size but how frequently milk is removed from the breast.
The myth: breastfeeding will make “the girls” sag.
The truth: the hormones and physical changes of pregnancy make the breasts fuller and heavier and rotate downwards so baby can feed – whether you breastfeed or not. Then, there’s gravity which takes its toll on all women, and genetics can play a part.
The myth: breastfeeding is supposed to hurt/will make your nipples crack and bleed.
The truth: yes, it certainly can hurt when baby isn’t or can’t latch to the breast properly. But it isn’t supposed to. If you have nipple damage, severe or worsening discomfort, or pain that isn’t improving, it’s time to get some help.
The myth: my breasts will get engorged.
The truth: there are steps you can take to help prevent it altogether or treat it quickly. It usually resolves in 24-48 hours.
The myth: my breasts will leak constantly/ or when I’m in public.
The truth: The breasts can leak if overfull so frequent emptying will help minimize random leaking. Milk is supposed to flow when your baby suckles, which triggers the hormone for milk to let-down. But hearing someone else’s baby cry might trigger that hormone too, so try to feed your baby before crying begins to prevent training your breasts letting down to a crying baby!
The myth: I can’t breastfeed because I have to return to work.
The truth: there are a variety of ways to help you get breastmilk to your baby. Many moms can express and freeze milk ahead of returning to work and either continue to express periodically during work hours and nurse baby when home, while other moms gradually switch baby to taking formula while they are separated, then nursing when they are together, also known as partial weaning. Currently, insurance companies have to provide breastpumps. Some moms choose to breastfeed only while they are on maternity leave and use the last 2 weeks to gradually switch over to formula.
The myth: I can’t breastfeed when sick/taking medicine.
The truth: With rare exception, maternal illness cannot pass to baby through breastmilk so it is typically safe to continue. The bonus is mom makes antibodies to fight the infection, which does pass to baby, to help protect them! The majority of medications are safe or have an alternative, but your doctor or the baby’s doctor may not know this. The best resource is Dr. Thomas Hale’s Medications and Mother’s Milk. They have a very reasonable subscription app called MommyMeds, are available online at infantrisk.com or can be called during regular business hours 1-806-352-2519.
The myth: I have to eat x,y,z or can’t eat x,y,z.
The truth: Your diet doesn’t have to be perfect and there is nothing you have to avoid. Please see our Pump & Dump? Section for more details.
The myth: if I’m breastfeeding, I can’t get pregnant.
The truth: Let me caution you to remember the line from Jurassic Park - Life will find a way! Although the hormone responsible for making milk tends to prevent ovulation and exclusive breastfeeding is 98% effective… it is still possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding so please use additional methods.