World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from August 1 to 7. It was made official in 1992 by the World Health Organization and UNICEF to raise awareness, promote and support this topic, which (unbelievably) is still taboo.
For many new moms (and those who are not), breastfeeding is not an easy practice, especially because women who breastfeed realize a reality that goes beyond romanticizing motherhood by generating a beautiful connection with their baby; it can also be painful, and demanding, and exhausting.
Beyond that, and to open a debate of awareness, several moms have been responsible for making visible this important practice with their babies in order not to fall into misinformation about the myths of breastfeeding and at the same time to see their reality more naturally.
Breastfeeding myths
According to the official page of infant and child health of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), these are the myths that all moms should ditch.
1. I do not have enough milk to feed my baby
Breasts produce the necessary amount of milk to meet the baby’s demands, as long as the number of feedings is adequate and the sucking position is correct.
2. Breastfeeding deforms the breasts
Whether the mother breastfeeds or not, the main change occurs during pregnancy. In all women the breast changes depending on age, body fat, and genetic factors.
3. I have to drink a lot of water and milk and eat more than usual
The mother’s milk production does not depend on the amount of milk you drink, so it is advisable to follow a balanced diet and drink liquids according to your thirst.
4. If I eat gas-producing foods, I will pass them on to my baby
The food consumed by the mother does not produce gas or colic in the baby.
5. I should not eat garlic, onion, or spicy foods while breastfeeding
Changes in the taste of milk, depending on the foods ingested by the mother, will help the baby to accept the new tastes when complementary feeding is introduced.
6. I must have a fixed schedule for breastfeeding, otherwise, I am spoiling the baby
It is preferable to feed on demand without a fixed schedule. This way the baby decides when he wants to eat.
7. Both breasts should always be given at each feeding
The first breast should be emptied well before offering the other so that the baby gets the richer fatty milk, which comes out last. Some babies take only one breast at each feeding.
8. My mother couldn’t breastfeed me, so I won’t be able to either
What determines how much milk you produce is how often you feed your baby. The more you breastfeed, the more milk you will produce. There is no hereditary factor, it depends on proper technique.
9. If I have small breasts I will produce little milk
The breasts are composed of glandular tissue (where milk is produced), fatty tissue, and supporting connective tissue. The size of the breast depends more on the amount of fat than on the glandular tissue. So, the production of milk doesn’t depend on the size.
10. I cannot take any medication
Some medications should not be taken during breastfeeding, but others are safe. It is advisable to consult a doctor before ingesting any medication.
11. My milk can be “cut off” if I get upset
Transiently, in situations of high stress, it may be difficult to let milk out. In these cases, it is necessary to put the baby on the breast frequently, empty the breast well and avoid the retention of milk that ends up decreasing the production.
12. It always hurts
At the beginning of breastfeeding, until adequate adaptation and correct sucking are achieved, it can be uncomfortable. Later, if there is pain, it indicates that there is a problem (infection, poor latch-on, etc.), so it is recommended to consult a doctor.
13. I don’t have enough milk because too little comes out of the pump
The amount that comes out with a breast pump is usually less than the amount of milk available for the baby to express.
14. My baby wants to eat more, so I’m running low on milk
There are episodes of increased demand for milk from the baby that is called “breastfeeding bumps”. Also, sometimes the baby takes more feedings because of thirst.
15. If I have mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland), should I stop breastfeeding?
Milk from the affected breast has no harmful effect on the child. The infection is not transmitted to the infant, and continuing breastfeeding improves the evolution of mastitis.
Benefits of breastfeeding
The association points out the following benefits of breastfeeding:
WHO and UNICEF recommend the initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life (with the incorporation of complementary foods and continuation up to 2 years of age or older.
It is important to always consult a specialist on the subject.
Story originally published in Spanish in Cultura Colectiva
