If you are a new mom and just started breastfeeding your baby, it is the best step you took for you and your baby. Breastfeeding is beneficial for you as well as the baby. It’s the only source of nutrients for the baby at least for the first 6 months. It is beneficial for you as well.
It helps in shrinking your uterus, beats the postpartum depressions if any and also decreases the risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding is also the best way to build a strong bond between you and your baby.
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Breastfeeding can be skilled only by practice and thus, carries a lot of myths around itself. So, we are here to help you sort out some of the common myths attached to the breastfeeding.
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MYTH 1# It is normal to hurt while Breastfeeding
FACT: Majority of new moms believe that Breastfeeding hurts. Though it is true that a new mother’s nipples may feel tender for the first couple of weeks, if your newborn latches on properly, there shouldn’t be any pain or soreness. Thus, it becomes important for you to consult experts for help.
MYTH 2# Breastfeeding makes your breast sag
FACT: Many moms believe that breastfeeding affects the size and shape of the breast. So, the mothers either don’t breastfeed their babies or stop earlier than they planned. But, experts say that it’s the number of pregnancies a woman has which causes the breasts to sag and it has nothing to do with breastfeeding.
So, now you can breastfeed your baby without any other worries.
MYTH 3# Breastfeeding helps you shed the weight gained during pregnancy.
FACT: New mommies, here you have another or one more reason to celebrate! Breastfeeding does help the new moms in reducing the baby weight. How? The breastfeeding activity burns around 300 to 500 extra calories in a day plus helps your uterus to return to its pre-baby size. This helps you lose weight faster and easier.
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MYTH 4# Giving the breast a nursing rest can help ensure more milk
FACT: Experts say that this myth is baseless and false. According to them, the more you nurse, the more milk you make. There are also chances of reducing milk production if you break the regular nursing schedule. It’s time for you to stop worrying about these unproven and unverified statements, and keep breastfeeding your baby at every 2-3 hours interval.
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MYTH 5# Formulae fed babies sleep better than the breastfed babies
FACT: The bottled milk isn’t easy to digest, so the formulae fed babies tend to stay full for a longer period of time when compared to breastfed babies. Since they remain fuller for more hours; they may sleep for longer hours as well. But, they do not sleep better.
So, make sure you breastfeed your baby and build a strong mother-baby relationship.
Must Read: Of Bonds And Breast Milk How Breastfeeding Can Build A Lasting Relationship
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It is possible to improve your breast milk supply with proper planning. Make sure to feed your baby often, i.e., at least 8 times a day. Alternate between both breasts to ensure a better supply. Check if your baby empties the breast during feeds. Massaging your breasts also helps to improve your milk supply.
The regular intake of certain fruits can help improve your breast milk supply. Fruits like papaya, especially raw papaya, stimulate milk secretion in new moms. Apricots and dates are said to increase the prolactin levels, a hormone which is responsible for milk secretion. Bananas and dates are rich sources of vitamins and iron, making them ideal fruit choices for lactating mothers.
Yes, there are chances for your milk supply to reduce when you are sick. But it is mainly caused by fatigue, dehydration, and reduced food intake due to sickness. It is a temporary condition, and the milk supply returns to normal once the mother recovers from sickness.
No, it is not necessary to drink milk to produce milk. Milk can be a part of your breastfeeding diet, but it does not mean your milk supply depends on your milk intake. Hormones like oxytocin and prolactin are responsible for milk secretion. You cannot depend on a single food source for producing breast milk. So, eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated can help produce milk.
