7 Breastfeeding Misconceptions and Things You Should Know

 7 Breastfeeding Misconceptions and Things You Should Know

A woman participating in the World Breastfeeding Week campaign at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The United Nations has called for more support for women to breastfeed their babies at work. The United Nations calls for an annual campaign to increase breastfeeding rates.

According to the United Nations, babies who are not breastfed are 14 times more likely to die before they turn one than those who are exclusively breastfed. The UN has called for the introduction of paid maternity leave, breaks between work for breastfeeding, and separate rooms for mothers to breastfeed at work.

There are still many myths or misconceptions about breastfeeding, which can prevent mothers from breastfeeding their babies. Two experts explain to us that some of the most common ideas about breastfeeding are actually completely wrong. One of them is Catriona Waite, a professor of clinical pharmacology and global health at the University of Liverpool in Britain and a fellow at Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda. Another is Alastair Sutcliffe, professor of general paediatrics at University College London.

Myth 1: Breastfeeding usually causes sore breasts and sore nipples

Professor Waite: That's a bit difficult to answer. It's normal to feel some discomfort at the beginning of breastfeeding, and it's normal to have sore or sore nipples at first until you get used to it. But breastfeeding does not actually cause breast pain or soreness. If this is the case, it should be considered that there may be an infection in the nipple, or it is not being properly fed to the baby. It's perfectly normal to feel a bit uncomfortable at first, and it may take some time for new mothers to adjust to this. But if someone has a lot of pain or pain, they should talk to the doctor, nurse or midwife about it.

No one should experience severe breast pain due to breastfeeding

Myth 2: If you don't start breastfeeding early, you can't do it later

Professor Sutcliffe: Anything that encourages mothers to breastfeed is actually beneficial to human health in many ways. There is no scientific basis for imposing artificial restrictions on human behavior by imposing rigid time limits. But it is true that there are many benefits if the mother starts breastfeeding the baby soon after birth. Most notable is nutrition. Another benefit of starting breastfeeding is that it helps start the process of uterine contractions. And as a result, it helps to stop or prevent the bleeding that occurs in the uterus after childbirth. Besides, in the first few days after childbirth, the mother's body produces a substance rich in protein called colostrum. It is a very rich ingredient that contributes to the initiation of the lactation process.

There are many benefits of breastfeeding the baby immediately after birth

Myth 3: No medication can be taken while breastfeeding

Professor Waite: This is the first question that mothers ask anywhere in the world. They want to know, 'Is any drug safe for my baby?' But the reality is that many drugs actually reach the baby in very low doses. If a doctor tells you to take medicine, ask him this question. But chances are high that you can take this medicine safely. What a child really needs most is a healthy mother. Common medications for infections, depression, or general pain are most likely safe.

There are actually very few medications that cannot be taken while breastfeeding. These are usually drugs for cancer or some other serious specific disease. Besides, there are some other drugs that require careful consideration of the risks and benefits before use. When a breastfeeding mother is advised to take any medication, it should be ensured that she can ask questions about the medication. Be careful with some over-the-counter medications, such as cold or flu medications, because they contain ingredients that can reduce breast milk supply. And be careful with herbal medicine, because you don't really know what's in it. But these drugs have not been well tested.

Most medications are safe for breastfeeding mothers

Myth 4: Eat only plain foods and avoid spicy foods before breastfeeding

Prof. Waite: There really isn't any food you can't eat while breastfeeding. But exactly what nutrients are in your breast milk depends on what kind of food you eat.

But with certain meals, mom may notice a pattern. As I noticed with one of my children, whenever I drink any sour fruit juice like orange, my child's mood becomes irritable. You can often notice a pattern in how your child is behaving by what foods you eat. But there really isn't one food that is bad for your baby, or that you should avoid.

Professor Waite says, breastfeeding mothers can eat all foods, no restrictions

Myth 5: You can never formula feed if you want to breastfeed

Professor Waite: That's not quite right. However, the amount of milk produced in the mother's breast is regulated by demand and supply. The structure of the female body is actually so well designed that it can produce enough milk for the baby. When the baby is sucking on the nipple, it signals the hormones in the woman's body to produce as much milk as it needs. So a mother, whether she is breastfeeding a small baby, a big baby or twins – her body will produce enough milk in that proportion.

And when the baby begins to be fed formula milk, there is a disruption in this signal and milk production cycle in the woman's body. Then the woman's body doesn't get enough signals that her baby needs more milk. When a mother is not getting enough milk, and she starts feeding her baby with formula milk, it may provide a temporary relief, but it will only make the problem worse.

And when a woman can't sleep at night, or is sick, or very tired, then her partner may be giving the baby some formula milk, so that the baby's mother can get some rest. But this does not mean that this woman cannot start breastfeeding again. So it's not entirely true that formula milk will stop breastfeeding. However, formula feeding is not very helpful in breastfeeding.

Feeding a baby with formula milk can sometimes disrupt the supply of milk in the mother's breast

Myth 6: It's not okay to breastfeed when you're sick

Professor Sutcliffe: No, that's a myth too. Only if a woman has HIV or hepatitis, only breastfeeding is prohibited. Because these viruses can be transmitted to the baby's body through breast milk. Such incidents have been seen to happen before. Even if the mother is sick, in most cases she can breastfeed the baby, because the mother's body produces antibodies that protect the baby as well. It is very rare that a mother's disease is transmitted to her baby through breastfeeding.

Experts say, even if the mother is sick, in most cases, the child can continue to breastfeed

Myth 7: Breastfeeding for more than a year makes it difficult to wean a baby

Professor Waite: The World Health Organization recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for six months. After that, breast milk should be continued as long as you want, even if you give other nutritious foods gradually. There is no hard and fast time to stop breastfeeding. In high-income countries such as the UK, most children are weaned between the ages of one and two. But in low-income countries, such as Uganda, children are breastfed until they are two to three years old. But mothers don't usually get as long maternity leave as the World Health Organization recommends to exclusively breastfeed, a problem all over the world.