Every new mom considers herself the recipient of a world of advice—some sound and some, not surprisingly, not—from family and well-wishers. When faced with problems, you face the truth, as many myths are partially overwhelmed with true knowledge.

Here are some myths to watch out for!

Myth #1 – Women with small breasts don’t produce enough milk for a baby

fact:

Size does not affect the amount of milk you produce in any way. In fact, the breast tissue needed to breastfeed your baby grows in response to your pregnancy (it’s part of the many physiological changes you experience). In this newly developed tissue, the milk ducts are located and not in the adipose tissue that is responsible for the shape. Contrary to this myth, most women actually produce an excess of milk. In fact, milk production is largely determined by the stimulation of the mammary glands and the appropriate timing of feeding the baby. It is installed in the first two weeks after birth.

Myth 2 – It’s okay to breastfeed

fact:

Although new mothers will experience some tenderness when they just start breastfeeding, this should be temporary and should not last more than a few days. Usually, if the pain persists, it is due to improper latching, and limiting feeding time will not help you recover from it. This is why most experts agree that a new mother should be trained in how to breastfeed properly.

Myth #3 – You won’t produce enough milk for the first 3-4 days

fact:

This is technically correct. However, this misconception means that a lot of milk production is required during these days. The fact of this is that in the first few days, mothers produce “colostrum”, which is thicker than normal milk and contains large amounts of antibodies, enzymes, growth factors and immunoglobulins that protect the newborn. Colostrum is only necessary for young children compared to regular milk due to its strong nutritional properties.

Myth #4 – Your nipples should be washed before every feeding

fact:

Among the myths and facts about breastfeeding, this myth appears to contain more water than others, at first glance. Furthermore, this reasoning may seem to follow naturally when one looks at the general guidelines for sterilizing and rinsing baby bottles well before each feeding. However, infant formula does not contain natural antibodies that effectively protect the baby from infection. In addition to unnecessarily complicating the natural process of breastfeeding, washing the nipples can also rid them of their natural protective oils.

Myth 5 – Breastfeeding is similar to natural contraceptives

fact:

If you don’t want to get pregnant, ignore the fact that you consider breastfeeding as a reliable method of birth control. The truth behind the myth is that if these three conditions are met:

• Your baby is exclusively breastfed (around the clock)
• Less than 6 months after birth
• Your periods never started again

The chances of pregnancy in your body are very small – it is 98% safe. However, “lactation menopause” is highly dependent on the balance of hormones in your body and reducing the amount of time you breastfeed per day will soon affect your menopause.

Myth 6: Bottle feeding is easier than breastfeeding

fact:

It can only come down to the subjectivity of the individual, but this, in general, does not have to be true. The difficulty of breast-feeding often ranges from a poor start to lactation, as both mother and baby do not know how proper closure can be achieved.

Myth 7 – A child needs to be every two hours, almost every hour

fact:

Like the legend a little before this, this theme may have played a role. Just like us adults, kids also enjoy their different dietary patterns. However, it is true that many babies and mothers go through a feeding routine every two hours throughout the day and night. One way to know if your child is eating enough is to monitor his “production”. Six wet nappies and two to three stools a day is a sign of a healthy baby.

Myth 8 – Modern formulas are the same as breast milk

fact:

This is a mistake! The formulations are made to mimic the contents of breast milk, but they do not contain any live cells, enzymes, antibodies or hormones. Breast milk adapts to the changing needs of her baby while formula milk remains the same from week to week. Formulas have been developed for ‘all’ children and therefore cannot meet the variances in the needs of any child on their own. The breastfeeding weight-loss myth says that stopping breastfeeding can help you lose the “baby weight” you gained during pregnancy. This simply doesn’t make sense, given that a breastfeeding mom burns up to 500 calories or more per day by breastfeeding her baby!

Myth 9 – Breastfeeding should be stopped if the mother has an infection

Fact :

This is rarely true. Common infections such as fever are passed from a mother to her infant before she is aware of the infection. The safety of the baby depends on breastfeeding, because they also have the immunity of their mothers which fights for them. This is because the mother’s developed immune system can make antibodies to fight her infection much more easily than the baby can pass these antibodies to the baby through her natural breast milk.

Myth 10 – Breastfeeding should be stopped if you get a breast infection or have a blocked duct

fact:

False. In fact, the opposite is usually true! The natural way to unblock a blocked duct is to breastfeed as much as possible. When there is a buildup of milk, the ducts become clogged due to lack of lactation. This can happen when your baby has been supplemented with solid foods or formula, or when he starts taking long naps or sleeping through the night. Blocked ducts can lead to mastitis. However, the infection does not make it unsafe for your child. A sign of a breast infection is redness of the breast with pain and the development of a fever or flu-like symptoms. You will need to take antibiotics to help with this, so check with your doctor.

Myth 11 – If a mother has to take medication, she should stop breastfeeding

fact:

Mostly wrong. Very few medications a mother takes can actually harm the baby, and they can be alternatives! When breastfeeding, very small amounts of the mother’s medication can reach the baby, but as noted, most medications are safe, and the amounts transferred are negligible.

Myth 12 – One must exercise to consume milk

fact:

The theory behind this myth was that the overproduction of lactic acid due to exercise leads to a sour taste in breast milk. While it may happen, studies show that kids don’t notice the difference. However, the salt from sweating on and around the nipples, caused by exercise, can stop your baby from working out. Also, be sure to only wear a restrictive bra, such as an exercise bra or an underwire bra, for only a short time, as the tightness can block the ducts.

Myth 13 – A baby should breastfeed from both sides for 20 minutes at a time

fact:

This is useless! Your baby will not always breastfeed for the same amount of time when you are hungry and will eat more when you eat less. In addition, the better attached your baby is to the nipple, the longer he will feed, which naturally makes him less likely to overeat. If one side is filled unevenly, you can resort to pumping.

Myth 14 – Breastfed babies need extra vitamin D

fact:

False. Babies are born with livers rich in vitamin D and also get some vitamin D through breast milk. It may be necessary to use more to absorb UV rays from outside (even in low light conditions in winter). They do not need daily exposure to sunlight. The only example in which it may be necessary to provide your baby with vitamin D is if the mother herself was deficient in vitamin D during pregnancy.

Myth 15 – Mothers should only eat light foods while breastfeeding

fact:

Certain foods like shellfish, fish, soybeans, peanuts, etc., which are associated with allergies, can upset your baby’s stomach if he is born with an allergy. As for the taste of foods, the difference in the taste of your milk is usually small enough that the baby will not notice it. It would be wise to keep a food diary. If your child is concerned about milk any time between two to twelve hours after eating a certain new type of food, there may be a reason.

Breastfeeding is an integral part of the relationship between a mother and her child. While some may find this uncomfortable for our modern and challenging lifestyles, the truth is that breastfeeding is more liberating than breastfeeding. One does not need to carry a device to only feed their child. Humans have been inducing their offspring to function internally for hundreds of thousands of years without any consequences. It’s not just natural, it’s a divine part of the motherhood experience.