As has been discussed sporadically in our other sections, the path of breastfeeding is unfortunately saturated with many myths and customs that, far from supporting the correct establishment and enjoyment of breastfeeding, generate problems that eventually and in the long run can cause breastfeeding to be replaced by bottle formula, to the misfortune of the baby.
This section will address the most common myths through questions and answers.:
That child just keeps sucking, // That breast thing is more your thing than the baby's // He's using you as a pacifier.
NO. Although the main function of breastfeeding is to feed, it is not everything, in this magical mother-baby connection other goals are also met: secure attachment, strengthening of the immune system, coverage of nutrients necessary for the baby's proper growth, etc. Breastfeeding is not reduced to being the baby's "pacifier." Also, remember that breast milk is easily digested, so it is expected that feedings are not so spaced out and are constantly repeated.
The breastfeeding process is a two-person process: Mom and Baby with the support provided by the circle of medical personnel and the nuclear family. It is insulting to suggest the baby seeks the breast as a tantrum, whether the comment is given as a newborn, around 6 months old, or when the baby is already years old. An empathetic environment with the mother, her needs, and her decisions changes everything.
Trust nature and your intuition, and even if there are times when everything seems chaotic, without order or pattern, remember to add to your despair the final phrase "for now", because the day when everything becomes balanced will come. Nothing is forever.
The child falls asleep in your arms, probably doesn't get full and gets tired and that's why he lets go // Don't breastfeed him anymore, he's getting fussy and doesn't want to be with anyone else.
NO. Breastfeeding does not promote "fussy baby" attitudes but instead ensures a stronger secure attachment to the naturally primordial figure in the life of every human being: the mother.
If the baby falls asleep at the breast, it is because it is the most logical consequence of the process. By suckling, he satisfies his hunger, relaxes and combines the pleasurable food with the closeness to his mother, whom he knows by her smell and characteristic warmth.
In addition, breast milk contains an amino acid called "L-Tryptophan" that helps babies fall asleep, as well as "melatonin", a hormone that helps establish the cycles of wakefulness and sleep. Studies have even shown that it is at night when the peaks of these substances occur, precisely to help the baby fall asleep faster than during the day (one of the many reasons why many mothers decide to breastfeed).
This period will not last forever, and in general, all children mature their psyche over time, seeking their space and individuality. The mother fulfills a function that goes beyond being food: the mom generates the secure attachment, which, curiously enough, in the future will give them the confidence to be independent.
- Give him some tea / water / food, it won't hurt him.
NO. The baby's digestive system is immature and fragile; introducing any drink or food before six months of age is completely contraindicated, including water. The baby should exclusively breastfeed, and if there is any condition that does not allow it, it should be substituted with a milk formula recommended by the pediatrician—nothing else.
He is already 6 months old, he doesn't need your milk anymore, let him eat.
NO. Even after six months of age and when complementary feeding is already in place, breast milk continues to be the baby's primary source of nourishment, and several international institutions such as WHO and UNICEF suggest that this should continue for up to 2 years of age, considering that after six months of age other foods are introduced.
As its name indicates, the food introduced during this period is "complementary," not a "substitute" or a "main form of nourishment."
NO. If breastfeeding is continued exclusively, without introducing milk formulas, if the correct latch is ensured, and if it is offered on demand, this assertion is false. Remember the golden rule: If there is suction, there is production. You can seek advice from breastfeeding professionals to make sure that everything is working correctly, as well as support from your pro-breastfeeding pediatrician, but if you have read our blog and have analyzed that the essential points we recommend are being met, you can be sure that your breast produces enough milk to satisfy your baby.
- I have to have a special diet for breastfeeding.
NO. Your body produces milk of the quality and quantity necessary for your baby based on communication with them and in response to demand. Except in particular cases, the only diet you should follow is healthy and balanced, as it should be at any other time of your life.
- I must have a feeding pattern, where at each feeding I am on each breast for X minutes.
NO. Your baby will set the pattern of feeding times according to their habits, so at the beginning, breastfeeding will be established on demand, without considering times between feedings. It is also not recommended that at each feeding, the baby feeds on both breasts; it is better that they feed entirely on one breast to ensure that they get all the nutrients needed with the final feeding, which is richer in fat (phase 2) and not only those of phase 1 (which is the lightest and sweetest).
- My mom couldn't breastfeed - My breasts are small - My nipples are not formed or are inverted - so I won't be able to breastfeed.
NO. Your breasts are naturally made to fulfill their primary function: feeding your baby. They will work regardless of whether your mother was able to breastfeed, the size of your breasts, or the shape of your nipples. In the latter case, it may be beneficial to seek a lactation consultant to take you by the hand in a practical way so you can breastfeed comfortably and ensure the correct latches, but even in these cases, breastfeeding is possible.
NO. If there is suction, there is production. While a mother's emotional state may influence her system, it does not stop the milk flow.
NO. If it hurts, it is because the latch is incorrect or there is a problem such as mastitis or a milk pearl. Breastfeeding does not hurt; if it does hurt, something is going on that requires special attention.
NO. The milk production generated between a baby feeding vs. pumping is different. Usually, less is expressed with the pump due to the lack of biochemical stimulation compared to the baby's stimulation.
If I am given medication, I should stop breastfeedin
SI/NO. Some medications are not compatible with breastfeeding; however, in most cases, other options are compatible without putting breastfeeding at risk. A pro-breastfeeding can consider this when issuing a prescription for medication.
- Breastfeeding is a contraceptive, as long as I breastfeed I can't get pregnant.
SI/NO. Breastfeeding is considered a natural contraceptive because the hormones that cause milk production are incompatible with the hormones that cause pregnancy, but like any method, it is not infallible, so you can get pregnant even while breastfeeding.
- I must clean my nipples before and after each feeding.
NO. As long as you maintain good general hygiene with regular showers with neutral soap and wash your hands before and after each feeding, you do not need to clean your nipples; otherwise, you risk drying them of their natural oils, favoring the appearance of cracks or tears.
SI/NO. It will depend on the disease you are talking about, but for common conditions such as the flu, breastfeeding should not be suspended since antibodies are transmitted to the baby through the milk, to help them build their defenses. In the case of COVID-19, breastfeeding is not contraindicated if the mother suffers from it, but she should take the necessary precautions, with hand hygiene and using the corresponding mask.
- If you breastfeed him more than 6 months, he may have a problem with his teeth.
NO. Breastfeeding does not interfere with dentition nor favors dental malocclusions or bite problems. The use of bottles beyond one year of age increases the probability of posterior crossbite development.
In the case of pacifiers, they can be used, but not on demand, for less than 6 hours a day, and look for flexible, thin-necked pacifiers, not cherry-shaped.
- As soon as the first tooth comes out, you must suspend the breast because baby will bite you.NO. We are not insinuating that this will never happen since some babies, even without teeth, bite the nipple. However, it is not a conditioning factor. The suction to extract milk does not rely on the teeth, so there is no need to stop breastfeeding just because there is a little tooth in the way. However, if your baby is a nibbler, you should express in some way that it hurts mom... ouch!
- When the first tooth erupts, it is important to start oral hygiene with fluoride or stop breast feeding because of cavities.
YES/NO. The information is not very clear. For years it has been said that at the eruption of the first tooth, it is necessary to clean the mouth with water and a special soft brush or even a soft cloth. However, recent studies recommend using fluoride toothpaste with 1,000ppm from the first tooth (British NHS and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry).
It's been commented for years about generating unnecessary fluorosis in the baby, with excessive fluoride consumption while the teeth are forming. However, the other extreme is not good either, where the baby teeth are neglected, and we see cases of severe cavities that damage not only the baby's tooth but even the permanent teeth that have not yet erupted.
We recommend you consult with a pediatric dentist when you notice that your baby's first tooth starts to come in so that they can provide you with the best care recommendations.
- His poop is explosive and greenish, he is probably intolerant to your milk.
YES/NO. If your baby has greenish and explosive poop and is exclusively breastfed, we are most likely facing a case where the baby is not sucking enough time at the mother's breast. When breastfeeding is established, milk has two phases: the first is lighter and high in sugars, focused on quenching the baby's thirst, and the second is more concentrated and richer in fats, focused on nourishing the baby.
If your baby only drinks the first milk, the system's response is to present a false picture of intolerance with explosive green stools and little weight gain, even if a stool analysis is sent, it will come out high in sugars. Therefore, it is vital that you focus on your baby sucking enough from each breast and emptying it before moving to the other breast to ensure that they get to the second milk.
There are only sporadic and exceptional cases in which the baby may be intolerant to your milk, but if remedying the above does not correct it, it will be time to suspect something else and only with the advice of a pro-breastfeeding doctor.
- Your thawed milk tastes bad // smells bad // has cream in it, it's no good anymore.
NO. Breast milk is rich in lipases (enzymatic molecules that aid digestion) that can make the milk smell or taste strange, and when it is left out for a long time it tends to sediment where the fat separates from the watery part. To prevent this, you can scald the freshly expressed milk, i.e. make the water bath only until the first bubbles begin to form. From there it is allowed to stand/cool. The cream dissipates when shaken.
If you have handled the milk storage properly, even if it tastes/smells bad, it´s good; it all depends on whether your baby wants to drink it or refuses it.