35 myths related to breastfeeding

Frequent breastfeeding leads to poor milk production and its gradual loss.
The baby receives the milk in the first 5 to 10 minutes
This is true, but can not be generalized. Some babies, especially those who are breastfeeding for the first time, need more time.
The baby initially needs 6-8 breastfeeds.
There is no limit to the number of breastfeeds. Breastfeeding is solely conditioned by the mother's ability to produce milk as well as the baby's needs.
Never wake up the baby for breastfeed
The older baby will wake up by himself when he is hungry, but in the first weeks after birth it is necessary to wake him up in order to provide at least eight breastfeeds a day.
Breastfeeding needs to be organized at strictly defined time intervals to create a certain rhythm.
The baby's metabolism is organized and adapted to the baby's needs, and therefore, there is no need to impose a strict rhythm of breastfeeding. When the baby wants to breastfeed, then he should breastfeed.
The breastfeeding should be from both breasts each time you nurse your baby.
This is not the rule and does not apply to all babies. Some even satisfy their needs by breastfeeding only from one breast.
If the baby is not progressing it is the result of "weak" milk.
Even malnourished mothers produce milk that meets the qualitative and quantitative needs of the baby.
Poor milk production is due to stress, fatigue or poor diet.
The most common cause of poor milk production is irregular breastfeeding or baby's bad position when breastfeeding.
The mother needs to drink a lot of milk to produce enough breast milk.
A healthy diet is good for milk production, along with meals rich in vegetables, fruits, cereals and protein. Calcium, on the other hand, can be ingested through many other foods (dark green vegetables, almonds, fish).
The mother should not breastfeed the baby constantly.
On the contrary, breastfeeding is not only a way to meet the nutritional needs of the baby, but also allows the baby to emotionally connect with the mother, development of the orofacial part of the face, prolongs mother’s amenorrhea, helps the baby not to get confused between pacifiers and breasts.
There is no confusion between breast and pacifier.
On the contrary, in the first weeks it can easily confuse the baby, if he is breastfeeding and uses a feeding bottle at the same time. Breastfeeding and using a feeding bottle create different movements of the orofacial part.
Frequent breastfeeding can cause the mother to develop postpartum depression.
Postpartum depression is due to variations in mother's hormone levels after childbirth, most often provoked by fatigue or lack of social support from the environment. It usually occurs in women who have had such problems before pregnancy.
The baby can get spoiled if the mother holds him frequently.
Holding the baby, playing and bathing are important for a baby's normal development.
Some babies are allergic to breast milk.
Breast milk is the most natural and physiologically most suitable milk, intended for the baby. If the baby shows an allergy to breast milk, the reason for this is probably some protein that is excreted in the milk, and it is introduced by the mother through her diet.
Frequent breastfeeding leads to obesity at a later age of the child.
On the contrary, a diet with formula milk and an early intake of other foods are risk factors for obesity at a later age.
Some women can not produce enough breast milk.
Usually the mother produces more milk than the baby needs. If the baby is breastfeeding and not progressing, it is due to insufficient latching of the baby, not insufficient milk production by the mother.
Breastfeeding is painful.
On the contrary, breastfeeding should not hurt. During the first breastfeeding, the mother may feel pain, but after the establishment and regulation of the breastfeeding process, the mother should not feel pain. The pain usually occurs due to the baby’s incorrect position during breastfeeding or the appearance of a fungal infection.
The baby should be breastfed for 20 minutes in each breast.
There is no rule for the duration of breastfeeding. A distinction should be made between breastfeeding and a baby on the breast. It is individual for each baby.
A breastfed baby needs extra water.
On the contrary, the baby satisfies its water needs through breastfeeding, so there is no need for additional water intake.
The mother should wash the nipples before each breastfeeding.
The milk itself contains substances that protect the baby from infection, so there is no need to wash the nipples before each breastfeeding. Frequent washing removes the protective layer of oil on the skin and facilitates the penetration of bacteria into the skin.
Breast milk does not contain enough iron.
Proper nutrition of the mother provides a sufficient amount of iron in the first six months for a breastfed baby.
It is easier for a baby to bottle feed than to breastfeed.
It is not true, in the beginning the breastfeeding is associated with difficulties, but they are easily overcome with the support of the environment.
Modern formulas are the same as breast milk.
Formula milk is just an imitation of breast milk, but can not completely replace it. They do not contain antibodies, cells that participate in the body's defense against infections, growth factors and enzymes. Formula milk contains more aluminum, manganese, cadmium and iron than breast milk. Protein and fat are different from those in breast milk.
If the mother has an infection she should stop breastfeeding.
With the exception of rare situations, the mother should continue breastfeeding because it also creates protective substances that are excreted in the milk and protect the baby from infection. If the baby gets sick, it will be easier to fight the infection if he is breastfeeding.
If the mother is taking medication she should stop breastfeeding.
There are a small number of drugs that prevent further breastfeeding. There is always the possibility of replacing one drug with another that is not excreted in the milk so that the mother can continue breastfeeding.
Breast milk may stop suddenly.
There are daily variations in the amount of milk (morning - evening) that is excreted, but a sudden cessation of milk is not possible. Changes in milk production can occur in certain situations: when the baby has increased needs, when the baby's behavior changes around the fifth or sixth week when he falls asleep with reduced milk flow, breast tenderness that normally appears after a few weeks from the beginning of breastfeeding, when the baby is bottle-fed or uses a pacifier.
A breastfed baby often has colic.
A vaccinated mother should stop breast-feeding for 24 hours.
A breastfeeding mother should eat for two.
Incorrect. The caloric intake of a breastfeeding mother should be increased by only 500 calories. However, it has been proven that mothers who eat normally also produce a sufficient amount and quality of milk.
A breastfeeding mother should drink plenty of water.
On the contrary, a breastfeeding mother should quench her thirst, but not overhydrate.
A mother who smokes cigarettes should not breastfeed.
A mother who has had breast surgery cannot breastfeed.
A mother with small breasts produces little milk.
A breastfeeding mother should not take contraception.
Hormone tablets affect milk production and are excreted in very small amounts in milk.
A breastfed baby needs another milk intake after the sixth month.
On the contrary, a baby can be breastfed for up to two years. Breast milk adapts to the needs of the growing baby and is constantly changing.