Breastfeeding Myths
When you start breastfeeding you may find that everyone has an opinion - how often you should feed, for how long and in what position. It is easy to find yourself comparing your baby to your friends’ but try to remember that every baby is different and you will find your own rhythm and routine.
Happy Parents. Happy Baby’s Imogen Unger, a certified lactation consultant, has cleared up some of the most common breastfeeding myths for us.
1. I can’t express much so my supply must be low
How much milk you can express is just that. It is only an indicator of how much milk you can express. It’s not an indicator of how much milk your body is making. Your baby is much more efficient than any pump. There are many women who breastfeed for years with no problems but can’t express more than a few drops.
If you have any concerns about your supply or are wanting to express then seek out specialist support.
2. My milk supply must be dropping as my breasts don’t feel full anymore
Just because your breasts feel softer than they have previously does not mean you have low milk supply. The longer you breastfeed for, the cleverer your breasts get at milk storage and don’t forget that milk is also made when your baby breastfeeds. Lots of mothers start to worry about their supply when their breasts no longer feel full or engorged. Try remembering the things that let you know your baby is getting the milk the need to grow. If your baby has adequate wet and dirty nappies for their age and is growing along their own curve then they are getting enough.
3. Your baby is a ‘lazy’ feeder
I’ve heard this a lot recently. What a ridiculous word to use when describing a baby. Your baby isn’t lazy. Your baby loves flow and your baby responds to flow. If for some reason there is no flow or that flow slows then your baby may not suck and swallow or they may fall asleep. Rather than use the term lazy let’s look at why they might be doing this. Do they need support with attachment? Could you use breast compressions or swap to the other breast? If someone is telling you your baby is lazy and that someone is supporting you with feeding I’d say they are probably not the right person for the job.
4. Feeding patterns will be the same every day
Don’t forget that your baby is a little person. I know it sounds silly but they are. People don’t do the same things every day. People don’t eat at the same times every day. Sometimes we’re grumpy, sometimes we’re sad, sometimes we’re really really hungry and other days not so much. Expecting a baby to feed the same every day is just crazy. Try and go with the flow and remember that we as adults behave and eat differently every day.
5. My baby is waking a lot at night so my supply must not be satisfying them
It is normal for your baby to wake at night. Breastmilk is absorbed very quickly and your baby only has a tiny stomach. They have shorter sleep cycles than adults and frequent wake ups can be protection against SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
6. My breasts aren’t leaking anymore so my supply must be low
None of these things indicate low supply:
your breasts feel soft
your breasts don't leak
you don't feel a let down
you have little to no pump output
your baby breastfeeds frequently
your baby starts to breastfeed more frequently or for longer
your baby fusses at the breast
your baby breastfeeds for shorter periods
your baby wakes frequently at night
7. Breastfeeding to sleep is a bad habit to get into
Hands up if you breastfeed your little one to sleep? Isn’t it a wonderful mothering tool?! But how often have you been told that this is something you should most definitely not be doing? Some people will want you to encourage your baby to self soothe and sleep alone as soon as possible even though this is not developmentally appropriate. Try asking them if they sleep alone, or if they have strong feelings about adults sleeping with someone even if they can self soothe.
There are many advantages of mothering this way:
1. It is a great opportunity for your baby to get extra calories.
2. It will help your baby fall asleep quickly, at any time of the day or night due to the rhythmic action of sucking and the sleep inducing hormones in breast milk. These hormones help establish their circadian rhythms—their internal body clocks affecting sleeping and eating cycles.
3. It helps your baby’s emotional health. It makes them feel safe, secure, calm and content which are perfect for their developing brain.
:: Imogen has more information about breastfeeding and support on her Instagram account @imogenibclc
