The Most Common Myths about Breastfeeding Debunked

13 Breastfeeding Myths & The Truth Behind Them

Truth is, there are so many things about becoming a mother that feels unknown until you are already doing it. From pregnancy woes to birth and then all of a sudden they give you full responsibility over a baby and you have to learn truly on the go! One of the biggest transitions I see moms go through (myself included) is wading through all the different myths there are surrounding breastfeeding, formula milk and breastmilk. I myself ran into a lot of these myths and had to learn the hard way how untrue they are! So I thought I’d taken a moment during #breastfeedingawarenessmonth to share 13 of the most common myths about breastfeeding and then, of course, a little truth to help spread the compassion and education to each mom along their journey!

Myth #1

All Babies Naturally Know How to the Breastfeed

You’ve seen those videos! Just born baby does that breastfeeding crawl and roots his way all the way to the breast and starts nursing… yeah, I’m sure that may have happened a couple of times but the TRUTH is that babies need help to breastfeed. Babys are indeed born with sucking and rooting reflects but that doesn’t mean they are naturally successful at breastfeeding.

There are so many things that both mom and baby need to be in sync about for a great breastfeeding relationship and the most important thing is TIME! Even if you’ve gotten the latch, supply, tongue tie, and hold all perfect or fixed it can still take time to get things moving smoothly.

So dont give up thinking you must not be one of the naturally easy breastfeeding moms! Because honestly very few people are! Breastfeeding is a relationship that takes work and each mom and each baby deserves the patience and support to figure it out if they want to!

BONUS FACT

The use of pain meds during labor can affect babies brain function and reflexes so if the baby is struggling in those first hours after birth just know those things can be related and cause baby to move a bit slower when it comes to latching.

(But don’t be discouraged, get yourself that epidural or pain meds if needed just know it may take a few hours before the baby is ready as opposed to babies born without pain meds)

Myth #2

Breastfeeding will make you lose weight

Yeah, this is a common misconception that I personally held on to until after having my first little one. I swore the facts were simple that breastfeeding helps you shed those pregnancy pounds but that’s just not true! A lot of moms actually find that their body holds on to extra weight while breastfeeding and that their hunger is increased significantly to maintain the high-calorie burning. It’s also really important for milk supply to eat as balanced as you can and not worry too much about losing weight until after 2-3 months of breastfeeding. Trying to lose weight too quickly or soon after baby can cause milk supply to dip. A good rule of thumb one of my midwives told me,

It took you 9 months to creat this baby and put on the pregnancy weight, so give your body atleast 9 months to get back to normal.

Myth #3

Breastfeeding is an effective forms of birth control.

Sorry, I wish it were true but the truth is if you are having sex you can get pregnant even while breastfeeding. NOW your likelihood of conceiving does decrease significantly in those first 6 months if you are exclusively breastfeeding (ie not supplementing with formula consistently) and haven’t started your period back. But again if you don’t want to risk another little one too soon looking into another form of birth control is necessary.

Myth #4

You won’t be able to breastfeed unless you do it straight away.

I am living proof that this is not true. But I have 100% been the mom who thought if I couldn’t latch within the first hours after my c-section that it would never happen. Guess what I couldn’t get baby latched until about a week after he was born and that is not an uncommon story at all! I’ve met many moms who couldn’t latch for several weeks while baby got stronger, got used to it or they got support from a professional.

Now it is true that the “easiest” way to latch a baby is trying within the first hour after birth because baby’s reflexes are at their most instinctual BUT if baby can’t, won’t or doesn’t latch just know you can ALWAYS get support and try again later.

Do as much skin to skin as you can and keep that baby close to the breast as much as you can so they grow a sweet attachment to that place especially in the meantime while you wait to get professional support and guidance.

Myth #5

You can never use formula if you want to breastfeed. 

Often times mom think in those early days if they have to revert to formula for any reason that it means they have to also give up breastfeeding. This is not necessarily true. Seek support for guidance on latch and supply and continue bringing baby to the breast as much as you can. Pumping can also help in between feeds or while trying to get your breastmilk to come in at the beginning.

Just because baby needs formula at some point in the journey it does not change the benefit of breastfeeding or pumped breastmilk when possible. You can supplement with formula as well if you are experiencing low supply or need to be a part from baby for a trip or work along the way. It’s important to try and maintain a good consistent breastfeeding/pump schedule to keep your milk in supply up but just know that it’s not all over just because you need to give them a bottle every once in a while or in an emergency.

Myth #6

Formula is the same as breast milk.

First thing is this, sometimes formula is needed.

Second thing is that, there are better and worse formulas to look at as well.

But it’s also true that formula is not the same as breastmilk. There are definitely a lot of formulas that attempt to replicate breastmilk but each falls short in one way or the other. Breastmilk is able to provide unique milk to the unique newborn and change on demand according to the saliva at the nipple. Breast milk prepares your baby’s tummy for food by coating and closing the normal openings in the lining of the baby’s intestines. It also provides the strongest way to keep your baby’s immune system strong and healthy as they grow up.

So while formula is sometimes needed for baby either in supplement or in full due mom being unable to breastfeed, when possible it is always ideal to give baby breastmilk either through the breast or from even donor milk from another breastfeeding momma.

Disclaimer: I truly do believe Fed is Best and oftentimes the relationship of breastfeeding has to give and take for both baby and mom. Do what is best for you and your baby 100%

But I did want to include this Myth because I do think there is a lack of education out there about formula as well, some moms never try breastfeeding because they assume formula is the exact same and that unfortunately is a myth.

Myth #7

It’s normal for breastfeeding to hurt.

This one needs to be screamed from the rooftops because so many mommas end up with blistered nipples and painful aversions to breastfeeding because they think “it’s supposed to be this way.”

It is true that breastfeeding can cause tenderness but it should not last long and if the thought of latching makes you cringe then there is likely something up. It is also common for moms to experience discomfort or slight pain on the initial latch but this typically goes away with 10-20 seconds and only during the first few weeks of breastfeeding. Painful nursing can be the result of so many different things so I recommend seeing a lactation specialist in and out of the hospital. I say in and out because many moms leave the hospital thinking they’ve gotten it figured out but a few days in at home are in the trenches of breastfeeding pain and don’t know where to turn. Find yourself a IBCLC for the most effective advice and assistance, many do house calls or you can meet them at their in or out of hospital clinic space. An IBCLC will help guide you and baby with the latch, different holds and even evaluate your breasts to give you the best guidance for supporting your unique breastfeeding journey. They can even diagnose a tongue tie or palate issue and refer you to a Dr. so you can adjust accordingly.

Myth #8

Having flat or inverted nipples means you can’t breastfeed or

small boobs mean low breastmilk supply

Nope to all of this. The truth is, that a good latch includes the breast tissue not just the nipple so the shape or perkiness of your nipple should not get in the way of creating a good latch. Now you may need to seek support just to learn the unique hold for your situation but inverted or flat is not an indicator on whether you can or can’t breastfeed.

Size does NOT matter!

How big or small your breasts are really is not an indicator of your breastmilk supply or even how much milk-making tissue your breast have.

Another raised hand from me on this one! I ended up having what was considered “very flat nipples” which made my little NICU baby really struggle to latch in those early weeks/months. I ended up needing to use a nipple shield as well to help facilitate a good latch through the advice of several lactation specialists. We used the shield for 3 months before we were able to latch directly on the breast.

Myth #9

Pumping is equal to how much milk you are producing 

Nope, a baby with a good latch is even more effective at getting milk than a pump. So don’t be discouraged if your let down via the pump only produces a small amount because it’s very likely that when the baby is latched and breastfeeding they are able to even more effectively induce letdowns more often and more fully than what you see happening at the pump.

Myth #10

It isn't natural to breastfeeding beyond 9-12 months

Here in the US, this seems to be a really hot topic. A lot of judgment is out there for moms who nurse beyond the “appropriate amount of time” and there are a LOT of myths that are just not scientific that get shared along with it. So here are just a few facts about extended nursing and natural weaning.

1. WHO (World Health Organization)actually recommends nursing up to 2 years or beyond. Even though most Americans stop well under 1 year.

2. The average natural age of weaning around the world is between 2 and 7 years old

3. Some people say that breastmilk loses nutritional value at some point beyond 1-2 years of breastfeeding and this is simply not true. Breastmilk will still have nutritional value the entire time you are nursing, providing protein, calcium, fat, vitamin A, and other important nutrients to the baby. Now of course this is not recommended as the only diet for a child after 9 months BUT it does not negate the nutrition that can still be found in breastmilk.

4. Extended breastfeeding has not been found to cause psychological issues or co-dependence on the contrary it has been found to create confident and mature children due to the security and bond they have with their mother.

Myth #11

Feeding on demand is teaching your baby to use you as a pacifier

Nope, breastfeeding is so incredibly nutritious BUT it is not just that. Breastfeeding can also be beneficial for helping a child with pain relief, loneliness, boredom, and being overstimulated.  Breastmilk also has an amino acid (tryptophan) that is used by the body to make melatonin. This is literally the human hormone to help you fall asleep so this is why nursing to sleep can be such a natural choice for a breastfeeding relationship. Creating boundaries within any relationship is important even with breastfeeding but feeding on demand can look so many different ways and still be an essential part of creating a strong bond between mother and child.

Myth #12

If you are pregnant you have to stop breastfeeding

So yes, some women will experience a dip in supply if they become pregnant while breastfeeding. This can create a natural aid for the older child to wean as well over time. The hormonal changes in pregnancy can adjust differently within different moms BUT you definitely don’t HAVE to wean if your supply sustains. Many mothers continue nursing all the way through their pregnancy and even are able to nurse multiple children at once after giving birth. It’s called Tandem nursing and it is pretty awesome! When tandem nursing can be done, it’s been shown to be helpful for emotional bonding and jealousy for the older child, help maintain plentiful milk supply AND relieve engorgement or overflow which can result in colic of gassiness on a newborn’s still developing digestion.

Myth #13

Many women do not make enough breast milk.

So the truth is that insufficient breastmilk is SUPER rare. But there are a lot of women who end breastfeeding because they think they don’t make enough, they tend to blame themselves rather than looking to external factors that could be playing a large role. It’s definitely not to say moms don’t experience low supply for a multitude of reasons. It is just meant to say that it is rarely the fault of the mother’s body alone for not being able to produce enough milk.

What does that mean for moms?

Well it means getting support is super vital especially in those early days if you are trying to breastfeed and struggling with what you’re seeing is low supply. Common causes of low supply are the latch, how often your are nursing (it’s recommended to nurse 8-12 times a day in the first month/s), skipping sessions due to baby sleeping (if baby is finally asleep just be sure to pump instead) or the use of certain medications.

But it’s also important to look at other factors beyond the “fullness” of breasts or physical sensation of enlarged or engorged breasts because not every mother will experience those supply cues. Pay more attention to how many diapers baby is putting out both wet and poopy. It is recommended that newborns have at least 6 wet diapers by day 4 and 3 poopy. It’s also helpful to listen for the “suck and swallow” from baby because this will indicate that they are indeed getting milk out of the breast.

I 100% get it though, those first weeks can be brutal feeling like your baby has never left your boob and you haven’t slept for longer than 10 minutes. Breastfeeding relationships require a lot of commitment but also emotional and mental stability from mom to work smoothly, so be gracious to yourself and your body. Feeding baby through a bottle, formula, or needing a lot of breaks is 100% ok. It’s honestly so sad that moms are forced to get back to everything even weeks after giving birth. In many cultures mothers and babies don’t even leave the bedroom for the first 6 weeks, all responsibilities are waved so that their sole focus can be on bonding and establishing a breastfeeding relationship.

The best advice I can give any mom starting or attempting to continue breastfeeding

is to try and give yourself as much grace as possible in those early weeks/months.

Give yourself space to rest, shower and need as a mom.

Give up some responsibilities and ask for help when you can.

Don’t let the haters afraid of boobs and breastfeeding get you down

And if you are struggling (which most women do) reach out to a professional not just a friend or family member who may still have a few of these myths ingrained from their own experience. It’s very common to believe a few of these myths which is why it’s so important we share wisdom and educate one another.