It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt?
Not true!
Though some tenderness during the first few days is relatively
common, this should be a temporary situation which lasts only a few
days and should never be so bad that the mother dreads nursing. Any
pain that is more than mild is abnormal and is almost always due to the
baby latching on poorly. Any nipple pain that is not getting better by
day 3 or 4 or lasts beyond 5 or 6 days should not be ignored. A new
onset of pain when things have been going well for a while may be due
to a yeast infection of the nipples. Limiting feeding time does not
prevent soreness.
There is not enough milk during the first three or four days after
birth.
Not true!
It often seems like that because the baby is not latched on
properly and therefore is unable to get the milk. Once the mother's
milk is abundant, a baby can latch on poorly and still may get plenty
of milk. However, during the first few days, the baby who is latched on
poorly cannot get milk. This accounts for "but he's been on the breast
for two hours and is still hungry when I take him off".
By not latching on well, the baby is unable to get the
mother's first milk, called colostrum. Anyone who suggests you pump
your milk to know how much colostrum there is, does not understand
breastfeeding and you should seek help from a Breastfeeding specialist.
A breastfeeding baby needs extra water in hot weather
Not true!
Breastmilk contains all the water a baby needs.
A mother should wash her nipples each time before feeding the baby
Not true!
Breastmilk protects the baby against infection and therefore
washing the nipples before each feed is unnecessarily.
Formula feeding requires careful attention to cleanliness
because formula not only does not protect the baby against infection,
but also is actually a good breeding ground for bacteria and can also
be easily contaminated.
It is easier to bottle feed than to breastfeed
Not true!
Breastfeeding can be made difficult if women do not receive
the help they should to get started properly.
A poor start can indeed make breastfeeding difficult. But a
poor start can also be overcome. With support and advice i.e. attending
one of the Bosom Buddy Support Groups Click Here Breastfeeding can be a
beautiful, rewarding and fulfilling experience and asking for support
is not a sign of weakness.
Breastfeeding ties the mother down
Not true!
A baby can be nursed anywhere, anytime, and thus breastfeeding
is liberating for the mother. No need to drag around bottles or
formula. No need to worry about where to warm up the milk. No need to
worry about sterility. No need to worry about how your baby is, because
he is with you.
Modern formulas are almost the same as breastmilk
Not true!
Your breastmilk is made as required to suit your baby.
The same claim was made in 1900 and before. Modern formulas are only
superficially similar to breastmilk. Every correction of a deficiency
in formulas is advertised as an advance. Formulas contain no
antibodies, no living cells, no enzymes, and no hormones. They contain
much more aluminum, manganese, cadmium and iron than breastmilk. They
contain significantly more protein than breastmilk. The proteins and
fats are fundamentally different from those in breastmilk. Formulas do
not vary from the beginning of the feed to the end of the feed, or from
day 1 to day 7 to day 30, or from woman to woman, or from baby to baby.
If the mother has an infection she should stop breastfeeding
Not true!
With very, very few exceptions, the mother’s continuing
to breastfeed will protect the baby. By the time the mother has fever
(or cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, etc) she has already given the
baby the infection, since she has been infectious for several days
before she even knew she was sick. The baby's best protection against
getting the infection is for the mother to continue breastfeeding. If
the baby does get sick, he will be less sick if the mother continues
breastfeeding. Besides, maybe it was the baby who gave the infection to
the mother, but the baby did not show signs of illness because he was
breastfeeding. Also, breast infections, including breast abscess,
though painful, are not reasons to stop breastfeeding. Indeed, the
infection is likely to settle more quickly if the mother continues
breastfeeding on the affected side.
If you require more information on Infection please click here if you have
any concerns or please contact your GP / Midwife or Health Visitor for
further advice.
If the baby has diarrhoea or vomiting, the mother should stop
breastfeeding
Not true!
AThe best medicine for a baby's gut infection is
breastfeeding, so to continue to breastfeed. Breastmilk is the only
fluid your baby requires when he has diarrhoea and/or vomiting, except
under exceptional circumstances. The baby is comforted by the
breastfeeding, and the mother is comforted by the baby's breastfeeding.
If you have any concerns with your Baby's health during an illness you
must seek medical Advice. Gp Out of Hours 01925 650999
If the mother is taking medicine she should not breastfeed.
You should always seek Medical advice or contact/visit your local
pharmacy for further advice on safety of medicines and Breastmilk.
See the Breastfeeding Network Drug Helpline website for
more information.
