3 Breastfeeding Myths

I’m sure you’ve heard them. If you have decided to breastfeed your child I’m sure SOMEONE somewhere has thrown a few in your face. You can’t eat spicy food. You can’t eat shell fish. The majority of them are surrounded around what you CAN’T do, and the majority of them are false. This week I want to tackle some of the myths I heard when I told my family I wanted to breastfeed my daughter.

Breastmilk, by itself, won’t be enough

This was probably the biggest “advice” I was given. Many people told me I would have to introduce formula or rice cereal at some point because my milk wouldn’t be enough for my child.

I don’t think this came from a negative space. I think it comes from a lack of understanding about breastmilk. Especially if it’s something you haven’t done, you don’t know what it can do and how much it can help a baby.

The World Health Organization recommences that mothers exclusively breastfeed for at least up to 6months because breastmilk provides ALL of the nutrients a baby needs. After 6 months (plus all of the other signs of readiness) is usually when most parents start to introduce solid foods, but prior to that breastmilk is more than enough.

Many people told me that if I chose to breastfeed my daughter, she wouldn’t get full off of breastmilk alone; and if she wouldn’t get full that means she wouldn’t sleep through the night. Let’s break this down.

First, I’m 27 years old and I don’t sleep through the night. I wake up many times throughout the night. Always have. Now, if I can’t do it at my age, why would I expect my 1 year old to sleep through the night? Furthermore, she’s not waking and staying up. She wakes up, she gets her breastmilk, and she goes right back to sleep. So what’s the problem?

As far as babies not getting full off of breastmilk, I think we need to understand what we expect that to look like. Breastmilk, unlike formula, has the ability to adjust itself to your baby’s needs. If your baby needs more fat, the consistency of the milk changes. If your baby is sick, the consistency of the milk changes to give your baby the nutrients she needs. So, your baby is actually getting EVERYTHING she needs from the breastmilk.

We also have to remember that baby’s nurse for reasons other than hunger. Thirst. Comfort. Boredom. We can’t associate every nursing session with hunger. Once we understand that there are several reasons your child could be nursing, we can adjust our expectations and bust some of these breastfeeding myths.

Breastfeeding Requires a Stash

Not true whatsoever. This belief can put so much pressure on a mother. Many times mothers enter their breastfeeding journey with the expectation that in order to be successful, they need to have a freezer full of breastmilk on standby. When their child is born and they realize that not everyone pumps 10oz a session per breast, they begin to think that there is something wrong with their supply and that they can’t produce enough to feed their child.

This leads to mothers seeking out supplements in the form of teas, milk, herbs, etc. expecting them to boost their supply. The problem is (usually) there was nothing wrong with her supply in the first place.

You don’t need a freezer full of milk to breastfeed your child. If you’re home with your child you can just feed him/her on demand. Whenever they need to nurse, nurse them. If you go to work, as long as you are pumping consistently (every 2-3 hours) at work, you will make enough to leave your child with for the next day.

If you have some extra and you want to freeze it for later, that’s fine. But it’s not necessary to stockpile milk in order to breastfeed, and you shouldn’t be made to feel like you have to. Your body, your milk, is enough for your child. Trust yourself.

Breastfeeding is More Work

This is a myth I hear A LOT. It’s easier to give your baby formula. Breastfeeding requires so much work. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but c’mon? Let’s really break this down.

To give your child a bottle of formula you have to: 1. Add water to the bottle; 2. Measure the serving of formula; 3. Add the scoops of formula into the bottle; 4. Shake the bottle and serve

To breastfeed your child you have to: 1. Whip out your breast; 2. Latch the baby

Now let’s say you don’t want to latch the baby on to your breast. Totally fine. You want to pump and serve? Cool. 1. Pump the milk; 2. Pour into the bottle and serve. And honestly, depending on the type of pump you have, you could pump directly into the bottle and you would just have to screw the nipple onto the bottle and serve.

I’m being a bit facetious here, but really, PARENTING is work. Period. Regardless of whether you breastfeed or formula feed. Choosing to breastfeed your child doesn’t create more work for you. If anything, it’s less work and definitely less money. The milk is free!

It may require some learning and adjusting, but parenting in general requires learning and adjusting. Don’t allow these breastfeeding myths to scare you away from this amazing experience. Try it for yourself.

Have you experienced any breastfeeding myths? I would love to hear about them. Tell me in the comments below!