There are so so many myths out there surrounding breastfeeding. Some are reasons that mothers find NOT to breastfeed or that scare them off. Some extremely silly and some almost dangerous. Here are the top seven that I could personally think of, that I have actually heard women say or write about. I've tried to link to actual medical sources when possible, otherwise it's just my opinion.
1. If I don't b/f then my boobs will stay big.
Yes, I actually heard someone say this. Luckily I don't know them personally it was a woman on the subway talking to a friend about why she is not going to b/f. I don't know if this is true or not but if your boobs are your number one priority then consider the fact that women who b/f are less likely to get breast cancer. If you are worried about b/f causing your boobs to shrink then consider how you would feel if you had to lose them altogether.
"If all women who do not breastfeed or who breastfeed for less than 3 months were to do so for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduced by 11 percent, judging from current rates. If all women with children lactated for 24 months or longer, however, then the incidence might be reduced by nearly 25 percent. This reduction would be even greater among women who first lactate at an early age."
Newcomb PA, Storer BE, Longnecker MP, et al. Lactation and a reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
N Engl J Med. 1994;330:81-87
2. Babies will sleep better with formula.
This may be true, although not scientifically proven, but consider WHY they sleep more. Formula is harder for the baby to digest. They are sleeping because their stomach is working overtime trying to digest the cow's milk. They aren't sleeping because they're more full or satisfied. They are just too tired to wake up. Also, babies who sleep for longer periods of time are more likely to die from SIDS.
3. B/F is not convienient in public.
In Ontario and in most states of the U.S. you have a legal right to b/f your child wherever, whenever. We all know we live in a lawsuit friendly society so think of it this way, if someone approaches you and tells you to stop b/f sue them and send your kids to college! B/F is super convienient and much easier than having to carry around a cooler, find a place to warm up formula, or mix formula and have to carry around bottles of distilled water. Personally I am just too lazy for all of that work!
4. If I b/f then Dad won't be able to help.
If Dad is desperate to get up at 2am and feed the baby then you can consider pumping. Or, Dad can do everything else while you nurse. Dad can change the diaper, get you a snack or drink, adjust pillows, massage you while you nurse and rock baby back to sleep when nursing is over. There is lots of work to go around! Otherwise, Dad needs only to wait 6 months and then he can do all of the cereal and veggie feedings while Momma watches the game.
5. I don't know if I can work out and b/f.
I have an incredibly grueling workout. I still do it. I nurse my son before I workout and then again after. It hasn't had any impact at all.
6. I only have a short mat leave from work.
This is not a huge issue in CDA as we have one year of mat leave. But I have heard some U.S. bloggers and writers comment on this issue. It will be tough but if you are dedicated it is more than plausable. While I don't know what the law says to me it makes sense for employers to accomodate b/f moms since it's proven that b/f babies are sick less often and that means mom doesn't need to take time off work to care for sick kids. It's a win/win.
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/html/returning_to_work.shtml
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/bf_guide_2.pdf
7. If I nurse at night baby can get cavities from the milk.
Bottle-fed babies
"are at increased risk for baby bottle caries, a destructive dental condition which occurs when a baby is put to bed with a bottle containing formula, milk, juice or other fluids high in carbohydrates. Extensive dental repair may be required at a cost of thousands of dollars."
Loesche WJ/ "Nutrition and dental decay in infants." Am J Clin Nutr 41; 423-435, 1985
What sort of old wives tales or myths have you been told or overheard?
Some sources I read while writing this post:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/528749-what-are-the-benefits-of-breastfeeding-past-one-year/
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-sleep.html
http://www.notmilk.com/101.html
2 comments:
I love this post! There are so many myths and such a lack of readily available support and information (unless you belong to a La Leche League group or attend a breastfeeding cafe or the like). I've heard people be worried about their breasts safing if they breastfeed. breasts actually start to sag during pregnancy, not while breastfeeding. After weaning, sometimes breasts cn be soft and flabby but they "gradually regain their firmness after several menstrual cycles" (The Breastfeeding Answer Book, 3rd edition, 2003).
Formula also changes the lining of the baby's gut (which is very sensitive at first and filled with tiny pockets and holes which gradually seal over time. Breast milk is the "normal" food for babies and it is what their bodies expect. Every day and week that a baby is breastfed helps to protect them from illness and allergies. Formula has come a long way but breast milk contains minerals and nutrients that scientists haven't even discovered yet, let alone been able to recreate in formula! Breastfed infants are much healthier in general, at a young age and decades down the road, they are protected form major illnesses. A you said, Elaine, formula fed babies may sleep longer at first but it`s because they are not able to fully digest the formula. babies with ear infections won`t be sleeping much, that`s for sure!!!
Breastfeeding is a great way to settle a fussy baby at home and in public. I was in a store today with my 4 month breastfeeding in a sling. A woman with a toddler didn`t even notice that I had a baby with me. Sometimes babies nurse because they are thirsty so letting them suck for a few seconds is much easier than preparing a bottle for a few sucks.
Regarding returning to work; many mothers have found cotiuing to breastfeed a wonderful way to reconnect with their baby after being away at work. Also, if baby is in daycare, he or she has an advantage and likely won't get all the illnesses that babies get when they start day care.
i have personal experience with the point about cavities. yM older son son had tooth decay on his front teeth. One dentist said it was due to breastfeeding and wanted to pull 6 teeth! The second one (definitely got a second opinion), said there could be hundreds of reasons why. I wondered why, if it was due to breastfeeding, weren`t his other teeth affected? I cotacted a lactation consultant as well as Dr. Jack Newman (Breastfeeding clinic at the Hospital for Sick children in Toronto) who told me that breastmmilk has antibacterial properties, is high in sugar but the sugar is digested in the lower intestine, not the mouth. Also, while breastfeeding, the nipple is very far at the back of baby's mouth, unlike a bottle, so the milk does not pool around the teeth.
Please excuse the spelling errors - I was writing the comment during a short naptime and really wanted to post it!
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