Debunking Common Misconceptions About Breastfeeding

In our society, we all know that "breast is best." Unfortunately, many women are led to believe that they can't or shouldn't breastfeed for various reasons, and it's usually just not true. Following are some common reasons that a woman might decide not to try breastfeeding, and information dispelling these common myths.

My breasts are small
Breast size has nothing to do with the ability or inability to produce milk. Even women with very small breasts are able to produce milk. Milk glands lie under the muscle wall, so even if you have extremely small breasts, you should still have the glands necessary to produce milk. It's actually easier for a small-breasted woman to breastfeed, because she doesn't have to worry about large breasts covering the baby's nose while nursing.

I don't make milk
It is very true that some women truly do not make milk. About 1% of the female population does not have "working" breasts, and an additional 2% will be able to produce milk, but not enough to fully satisfy the baby without supplementing. However, if you compare this 3% to the number of women who claim to not be able to produce milk, you'll find that the numbers simply don't add up. There are far more women who say they didn't make enough milk for the baby than there are actual cases of women who truly do not make enough milk.

Why does this happen? In many cases, the mother is simply misinformed, or uninformed. They may mistake frequent nursing during a growth spurt as a sign that the body is not producing enough milk. In reality, the baby's frequent nursing is her way to stimulate your body into making more milk. It's natural and normal, and rarely an indication of a problem. If you're nursing and start to worry that baby may not be getting enough, see a lactation consultant. In general, if baby is wetting 6-8 diapers a day, that's usually a sign that he is getting enough milk. But do check with a lactation consultant.

I don't want to have to watch what I eat or drink
It's a myth that a nursing mother has to eat a strict diet. While it's true that your diet will affect your milk in some ways, unless the mother is severely malnourished, her milk will not be of poor quality. Even if the mother's diet leaves something to be desired, the baby will receive all the necessary nutrients and calories from his mother's milk.

Some mothers choose not to breastfeed because they think that they won't be able to drink alcohol while nursing. This too is a myth. While it's true that you probably shouldn't get hammered and then go nurse your baby, you absolutely can indulge every now and then. Alcohol is not stored in breastmilk - it filters out at the same rate as it filters out of your blood. If you haven't felt tipsy for a while, then there is probably no alcohol in your breastmilk, so it would be safe to nurse. A lactation consultant can provide more solid information on this.

I am on medication
There are some medications that will truly have a negative impact on a nursing baby. But in most cases, even strong pain medications may be safe for a nursing mother to take. Don't just take your doctor's word for it. Do your research. If you want to nurse and your doctor says you shouldn't because of various prescriptions that you're taking, she may simply be overly cautious, or misinformed. A shocking number of doctors are completely uneducated about breastfeeding. If you want a second opinion, talk to a lactation consultant, or contact your local La Leche League group.

It's too difficult and inconvenient
Breastfeeding does have its difficult moments, but overall it's much more convenient than formula. No bottles to mix and heat, no need to run to the store when your supply is getting low, no need to make sure to take along bottles and clean water on long trips. Breastfeeding is also quite convenient during nighttime feedings - no worrying about mixing it wrong in your sleepy haze, no waiting for the bottle to warm while the baby cries in your arms. Breastmilk is always the right temperature, and requires no mixing or sterilizing. Not to mention that it's free. Formula will cost you approximately $1200 to $1500 in the first year - if you breastfeed, you may have to spend around $200 for a pump (if you even need to pump - many mothers don't), and a few dollars here and there for nursing pads. You do the math.

I want other people to bond with the baby
Some mothers are under the mistaken impression that food is a baby's only source of bonding time. This simply isn't true. Daddies, grandparents, and siblings can all bond with the baby even if they don't get to feed her. Babies respond to loving, caring touch and attention. Have family members change diapers, give baths, sing and play, or help with naptime. All of these things say "I love you" to a baby, and she will get the message loud and clear.

I don't want to get saggy breasts
Breastfeeding doesn't make breasts sag - pregnancy does. If anything, breastfeeding will help your breasts look better, at least while you're lactating, because they will be full of milk. But saggy breasts are just a part of life. Some women get them at a younger age, and some lucky women stay perky well through menopause. Breastfeeding has nothing to do with it.

I need to go back to work
Lots of mothers successfully breastfeed even after returning to the office. You can invest in a good electric pump to express milk while you're away from baby, and have a caregiver give the baby bottles of breastmilk. (Most states require that employers give nursing moms time during the work day to pump - check the La Leche League website for your local laws.) Or if pumping is not an option for you, many mothers will nurse during their off hours and have a caregiver feed the baby formula during working hours.

Even if you only breastfeed for a few weeks before going to work and then switch completely to formula, those weeks of breastmilk are very beneficial to your child. It's worth it.

I had breast implants/reduction surgery
Implants rarely affect a woman's ability to breastfeed, unless the surgery was done improperly, or if the nipple was removed during surgery. Even in those cases, it is usually still quite possible to breastfeed. Reduction does often pose problems for nursing moms, because often, milk ducts are removed along with breast tissue. This does not always mean, however, that it's pointless to try. Countless women have gone on to successfully breastfeed after a reduction, and still others will nurse part-time and supplement with formula.

Formula is just as good, if not better than, breastmilk
This is perhaps the most dangerous myth about infant nutrition. Formula is but a poor replica of breastmilk. It does not contain the valuable antibodies and enzymes present in breastmilk that support a baby's immune and digestive systems, and it does not have all of the essential nutrients found in breastmilk. There are ingredients in breastmilk that have not been duplicated in a lab, and it is estimated that there are hundreds more ingredients that haven't even been discovered yet. And even those minerals that are in formula are not as readily utilized by baby's system. For example, the iron in formula is not easily absorbed by the baby's digestive tract, so it sticks in the baby's intestines. This causes two problems: one, the baby may become constipated, and two, the baby may become anemic from the lack of iron absorbed into the bloodstream. The iron in breastmilk, however, is more readily absorbed, preventing these problems.

If you are having a baby and are trying to decide how best to feed your child, don't let doubt and common misconceptions cloud your judgment. Talk to your doctor and a lactation consultant, and they can help you make the right decision for you and your baby.