Breastfeeding is essential for your baby, and if you have decided to go ahead with it, you have advice pouring in on what to eat, how to hold your baby and much more to make it a smooth experience. However, there are times when unintentionally, you can end up doing things that can affect lactation. The endless list of dos and don’ts come in like pouring rain. if you are caught up with all the advice and don’t know what to do, refer to the list of myths DR Madhavi Latha has drawn up.
Breastfeeding is painful: Something all new mothers hear is that breastfeeding is painful, but that’s not completely true. While there can be discomfort while your body’s adjusting, the discomfort will go away soon. In the early weeks, swelling and engorgement can be a challenge as your milk comes in. In addition, nipples can become sensitive, cracked or sore, but there is no need to be afraid as there are simple things like warm water showers, ice packs and rubbing olive oil on your breasts that can help decrease the pain.
Breastfeeding leads to a stronger bond only with the mother: While it stands true that breastfeeding creates an emotional connect between the mother and child, dads don’t need to worry as there are plenty of non-feeding activities available for the other parent to use as their own private and intimate moments. If you are responsible for breastfeeding, put your partner in charge of bath time, or diaper changing, or bedtime. In many cases, supporting the breastfeeding mom is crucial to mom’s and baby’s breastfeeding success.
Formula is as good as breastmilk: Post the six-month phase, a lot of women get this advice. But the truth is there are some things you just can’t make in a factory. Your milk is custom-made for your baby, and it changes to meet your baby’s needs through every stage of development. Your milk has antibodies, anti-viruses, and anti-allergens that help protect your baby from illness. These important ingredients are not formula. Your milk also has hormones that help the baby grow. Breastmilk is also more easily digested by the baby and has more vitamins and minerals than formula milk. Plus, breastmilk is free, fresh, and safe for your baby to drink anytime, anywhere.
Size of the breast matters for successful breastfeeding: You may be concerned about the size of your breasts–are they too small or could they possibly be too big? The fact is your breast size does not matter when it comes to breastfeeding success–women with large and small breasts can produce the same amount of milk and breastfeed successfully.
No work while breastfeeding: If you commit to pumping, you can give your baby breast milk for as long as you wish. This involves pumping three times a day when you’re at work—preferably at the same times she would normally nurse till the six-month phase. After that, when she’s eating some solids, you can pump twice a day. Since pumping will consume most of your breaks and lunch time, keep a supply of nutritious snacks at your desk so you have the fuel you need to make milk. Some recommended things are fruits, protein bars, nuts and the nutritional drinks. Also be sure to drink plenty of water—at least eight glasses a day.
Stay away from spicy food: A lot of new mothers are told to stay away from spicy food while breastfeeding, but there is no proof to support this. By the time the foods you eat have been digested and used to make breast milk, the potentially upsetting elements have been broken down and shouldn’t affect your baby at all. Don’t alter your diet straight away, keep a note of the foods that upset your baby and alter those. Keep a food diary, and if your baby is fussy two to 12 hours after you've eaten a certain food, cut it out of your diet for a while
All mothers have normal / same nipple type: There are different variations of nipples, such as normal, flat and inverted. Before your baby is born, it is helpful to know what type of nipples you have. To determine your nipple type, gently compress your areola 3 cm behind your nipple. The nipple will evert or protrude if it’s normal. An inverted or flat nipple will invert or retract.
So all you new mothers, stay away from all the traditional advice and enjoy this new journey of yours. The list of dos and don’ts will be long, but all you really need to worry about is what you and your baby want and need, the rest will fall in place as the two of you move along.
