MYTH |
FACT |
1. |
Formula is as good as human milk. |
Human milk is far superior and cannot be duplicated. The nutrients
and antibodies in human milk are uniquely suited to the
physical and mental development of the human baby. Human
milk contains human growth factors while formula based
on cow’s milk contains bovine growth factors. The composition
of human milk changes during a feeding and as baby grows
to meet baby’s changing needs. |
2. |
Women should not breastfeed in front of other people. |
Breastfeeding is normal and natural and in New Jersey, women have a legal
right to breastfeed in public places.
Women who are shy about breastfeeding in public can practice how to
feed discretely in front of a mirror to gain confidence. |
3. |
If the mother has to go back to work or school, she should not start
out breastfeeding. |
Many women continue to breastfeed after returning to work or school.
They exclusively breastfeed while on maternity leave then
express or pump their milk to leave when they are separated.
If the mother continues to breastfed after returning to
work or school, her baby will be healthier and she will
be doing something special that no one else can do for
her baby. Some women choose formula for when they are
separated and breastfeed when she and baby are together.
Any breastfeeding is better than none. |
4. |
The breastfeeding mother has to change the way she eats. |
There is no special “breastfeeding diet” or list of foods to avoid.
Most women can eat the same foods they are used to eating.
The mother will make good milk no matter what foods she eats.
Mothers around the world eat spicy, flavorful food. Of course, it
is best for the mother to eat a variety of nutritious
foods to stay healthy. |
5. |
If the mother is sick, she has to stop breastfeeding. |
If mother gets sick, her baby has already been exposed to her illness
and mother's milk will have antibodies to protect the
baby. If baby does get sick, the illness is likely to
be less severe. Mothers can breastfeed if they have a
cold or flu. Mothers should not breastfeed if they have
HIV, active untreated tuberculosis, or HTLV‑1.
Most over the counter and prescription medications are safe to take while breastfeeding. |
6. |
Women who smoke should not breastfeed. |
All women are encouraged to stop smoking or at least cut down. It
is better for the baby if the mother smokes and breastfeeds
than it is if the mother smokes and does not breastfeed.
It is the secondhand smoke that causes babies to have
more health problems than what is passed through the milk.
No one should smoke while holding a baby or in a car or
the same room as a baby. Mothers who smoke should time
it for after a feeding, not before. |
7. |
Breastfeeding mothers cannot drink alcohol. |
Breastfeeding mothers can have alcoholic beverages occasionally.
Women who abuse alcohol (more than two drinks a day or binge drinkers)
should not breastfeed. |
8. |
Many women do not produce enough milk. |
Milk is made whenever milk is removed from the breast. The more effectively
the baby feeds, the more milk the mother will make. Mothers
can exclusively breastfed twins and even triplets. Mothers
naturally produce milk after babies are born and they
need confidence in their own bodies. They also need information
and support to manage breastfeeding in the early days.
Small breasts can make enough milk for the baby. Supply
comes from the demand. There are only two medical circumstances
that may result in a woman having a low milk supply (physical
anomaly and hormone imbalance). |
9. |
Some mothers have milk that is not rich enough to satisfy baby. |
Human milk has all the calories, nutrients and fats babies need.
Because human milk is so easy to digest and newborn stomachs are so
small, newborns feed 10 to 12 times in 24 hours. Human
milk does not and should not look like formula or cow's
milk. |
10. |
Combination feeding ensures the baby is getting enough. |
Babies are born to exclusively breastfeed. Giving formula in normal
circumstances in addition to breastfeeding can result
in overfeeding, reducing the mother’s milk supply, and
increasing all the known risks of formula. |
11. |
There is no milk until the third day after delivery. |
Milk is already in the breasts when the baby is born. The first milk
is called colostrum (see the next myth). Colostrum is
measured in teaspoons, not ounces. The breasts are soft
in the first few days after delivery so the baby can learn
how to breastfeed. |
12. |
The first milk (colostrum) is bad for the baby. |
Colostrum is rich in the nutrients and antibodies essential to newborns.
It is concentrated and helps the baby’s bowels to pass
the first stools. Colostrum is the perfect first food
for human newborns. |
13. |
Breastfed babies need water bottles. |
Human milk is about 87% water, just what a body needs. Even in the
desert, breastfed babies do not need additional water. |
14. |
Family members should give bottles so they can bond with the baby. |
Family and friends can bond with the baby by holding, burping, bathing,
talking to and playing with baby. Bottles can interfere
with the establishment of the mother’s milk supply and
the baby learning how to breastfeed. |
15. |
Breastfeeding makes the baby too dependent on the mother. |
Loving, holding, and meeting baby's needs make him feel secure and
help him to become independent. All babies need to develop
a strong attachment to one person first before they expand
their circle of attachments. |
16. |
Breastfeeding hurts. |
Breastfeeding should not hurt. It hurts when baby’s jaws close on
the nipple. When correctly positioned, the baby’s tongue
covers the lower gum line, and his gums close on the areola
(the dark area). Baby should not have to turn his head
to reach the nipple. When done correctly, mother may feel
a slight tug. |
17. |
Breastfeeding is hard work and makes the mother overly tired. |
Just being a mother is tiring and stressful. Breastfeeding saves work
and lets mother rest while feeding her baby. The breastfeeding
hormones make the mother feel peaceful and relaxed. |
18. |
A mother's milk will go bad if it stays in her breast or if she gets
scared or angry. |
Human milk is always fresh and cannot spoil in the breast.
Feelings cannot change the composition of human milk.
If a mother is upset, her milk flow may be slower but the milk is fine. |
19. |
Pumping is a good way of knowing how much milk the mother has. |
Pumping only shows how much milk can be pumped with that particular
pump at that time. Swallowing, wet diapers, frequent
stools and weight gain are better guides to baby's intake. |
20. |
Breastfeeding makes the breasts sag. |
Pregnancy, heredity, and aging cause the breasts to sag, not breastfeeding. |
21. |
A mother needs to clean her nipples before breastfeeding. |
The nipple area has natural protective oils to keep it germ free.
Both soap and alcohol irritate the nipples and should be avoided.
Mothers only need to rinse the breasts with water once
a day. |
22. |
Breastfeeding causes sexual stimulation. |
Breastfeeding is a pleasurable experience but does not cause sexual
feelings. |
23. |
Breastfeeding is natural so there is no need to learn about it. |
Breastfeeding is a skill learned by practice. Mothers are more likely
to succeed when they have information, help from others,
and support. |
24. |
All health care providers know a lot about breastfeeding. |
Practical aspects of breastfeeding were not always included in medical
training. Health care providers vary greatly in the advice
they give on breastfeeding. Women are encouraged to learn
about breastfeeding by reading and attending breastfeeding
classes and support groups such as La
Leche League of New Jersey. |