I am writing this post as part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop. This week's blog hop topic is Breastfeeding Myths.
When it comes to breastfeeding, the myths are endless. It's amazing the amount of awful advice and misguided statements are floating around there. Here are just a few myths.
Breastfeeding Will Make My Boobs Saggy
(This one's for you, Dad!)
No, sorry, breastfeeding will not make your boobs saggy. Pregnancy and getting older may, but not breastfeeding. During pregnancy your body gets ready for breastfeeding by fully developing the ductal system inside the breast. (Your body assumes you WILL breastfeed because, after all, that's why you have breasts in the first place) When you no longer need the ductal system for milk-delivery (after weaning or after pregnancy if breastfeeding is never initiated) your breasts will go through a phase called involution where the tissue shrinks and this can cause your boobs to be saggy.
My Baby Is Not Getting Enough
As long as your baby is having wet and soiled diapers and you are allowing them to nurse on demand, they are getting enough. If your baby wants to eat again soon it doesn't mean they didn't get enough the first go-around. That is a completely normal behavior for babies. If you stick a bottle in their mouth after a feed and they guzzle it right down, it doesn't mean they were hungry. It means the nipple in their mouth triggered their suck reflex and the fluid that accumulated triggered their swallow reflex and they are now probably miserably uncomfortable from fullness. Think Thanksgiving dinner uncomfortable. Breast milk follows a basic supply and demand principle. If your baby demands it (more feeds) your body will supply it.
Formula is Just as Good as Breast Milk
False. False false false false false. I can't say it enough. There is nothing wrong with feeding your baby formula if that is what you have to do. But it is in no way the same as breast milk. Formula has come a long way and has definitely improved over time, there's no doubt about that. But even so, formula is still lacking and will always be lacking to breast milk. Not only does formula not contain several important elements found in breast milk (immune properties, macrophages, hormones, enzymes, and growth factors) but formula is static whereas breast milk is dynamic. That is, formula does not change with your baby. Sure, you can buy preemie formula, infant formula, and toddler formula. But breast milk not only changes to your baby's specific age (or gestational age for preemies) but also changes with each feed. Morning breast milk is different than evening breast milk because your baby's needs are different in mornings and evenings. Is that amazing or what?I Don't Have The Right Kind of Boobs/Nipples for Breastfeeding
Boobs were made to breastfeed. That's what they were designed for. That's why God gave them to us. Aside from a few rare conditions, there is no right or wrong boob/nipple type for breastfeeding.What other breastfeeding myths have you heard? Link up below!
I have a bit of a silly question... I have a friend that says her sister never breastfed because she was afraid she'd suffocate her baby. I am rather well endowed and although I have thought of it once or twice, my daughters and I have never had a problem that way... Do you think there is a point where the breast is "too big"? It just seemed rather silly to me...
ReplyDeleteNo, you won't suffocate your baby from nursing. If you look at an infant's nose, the nostrils point to the sides, this is so your baby can breathe even when their nose is smooshed up against the breast. Also, if your baby had to choose between breathing and eating, they would choose breathing. Every time. :-)
DeleteYou may have to experiment with different positions when you have larger breasts though.
My mom thought that my A-cup breasts wouldn't be milk-makers. Lo and behold, she put me on this special Lao remedy (drinking straight up warm water every hour) to increase my supply. I was super engorged and was in pain! I begged to get a breast pump but little did I know that I should have just let my body do its thing and ignore my mom (like always!)
ReplyDeleteI was told by my some that I wouldn't have enough milk to breastfeed twins. I nursed them for almost 2 1/2 years and never gave them a bottle. Chubby little babies!
ReplyDeleteI wasnt told how difficult breastfeeding would be. My milk didn't come in so we had to switch to formula. Toughest thing I ever did!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Emily!
ReplyDelete