7 Breastfeeding Myths

In honor of National Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), here are 7 myths about breastfeeding.

1. Once a baby has teeth, you need to wean.

Teething can be a great test of your patience and pain tolerance (I know)!  Some babies start getting teeth around two months, so that myth is debunked right there.  Some women get bit once or twice, and the child's attention is either redirected or they begin the learning process.  Biting is a great time to teach your child 'no' and 'ouch, that freaking hurts', and after having a month of major biting problems, my daughter now is more gentle and rarely bites.


2. If they can ask for it, they're too old.

Babies 'ask for it' from Day 1 - by crying, getting upset or rooting.  My daughter has been signing that she wants to nurse from about 9 months of age.  According to all medical information, that is too young to quit breastfeeding.  The WHO says that babies nee no additional supplements before 6 months of age and should continue breastfeeding for at least two years for optimum health. Most children's immune systems aren't mature until age 6, so any breast milk further enhances the immune system.  Babies ask for bottles as well and we don't stop giving those.


3. Most women don't produce enough breast milk.

Not true.  It's estimated that less than 5% of women truly have a biological supply issue. 

The most common culprits for an artificially low supply? 

• A schedule and/or timed feedings- Breastfeeding is a supply and demand process.  No two babies are alike, and therefore can't be relegated to the same schedule.  Babies need to be fed when they are hungry.  If you want to take the chance of killing your supply and risk failure to thrive or low weight gain for your baby, put your baby on your schedule.  Timed feedings (10 minutes on the right, 10 minutes on the left) provide problems as well because the breast may never empty, leaving behind the precious fatty hindmilk that is essential to a baby's growth.
• A poor latch or position - It's important to get good help in the beginning!  Find the name of a trusted lactation consultant, and bug them until you get an answer!

4. My baby is allergic to my milk.

If your baby is having allergies, it's most likely caused by something you are eating.  Eliminate the source, and most likely you will have a healthy baby.  Galactosemia (an allergy to your breast milk) only affects only 47 babies in the US per year.


5. My child weaned him/herself early.

Natural weaning rarely happens before 2.5 years. Many children can wean at this age, but it's not normal and can be the affect of offering solids before breast milk or a nursing strike.


6. Breastfeeding will give me saggy breasts.
 
There is no difference in breasts of mothers who breastfeed and those who formula feed.  In fact, pregnancy drags (no pun intended) your breasts down, as does age, size and if you smoke.  Besides, most of us will resort to push up bras soon anyway.  Either that, or we'll just join the I-don't-care-camp and let our ta-tas hang low.


7. Breastfeeding is sexual.

Breastfeeding is no more a sexual thing than you giving birth out of your vagina.  Amen.