Milk Matters - Breastfeeding myths

Milk Matters

Breastfeeding myths

Myths about the baby's health

*If the baby has diarrhea or vomiting, the mother should stop breastfeeding - NOT TRUE!

The best medicine for a baby's gut infection is breastfeeding. Stop other foods for a short time, but continue breastfeeding. Breastmilk is the only fluid your baby requires when he has diarrhea and/or vomiting, except under exceptional circumstances. The baby is comforted by the breastfeeding, and the mother is comforted by the baby's breastfeeding.

*A baby with diarrhea should not breastfeed - NOT TRUE!

The best treatment for a gut infection (gastroenteritis) is breastfeeding. Furthermore, it is very unusual for the baby to require fluids other than breastmilk. Lactose intolerance due to gastroenteritis will disappear with time. Lactose free formula is not better than breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is better than any formula.

*Breastfeeding babies need other types of milk after six months - NOT TRUE!

Breastmilk gives the baby everything there is in other milks and more. Babies older than six months should be started on solids mainly so that they learn how to eat and so that they begin to get another source of iron, which by 7-9 months, is not supplied in sufficient quantities from breastmilk alone. Thus cow's milk or formula will not be necessary as long as the baby is breastfeeding. However, if the mother wishes to give milk after 6 months, there is no reason that the baby cannot get a little other milk, as long as the baby is still breastfeeding a few times a day, and is also getting a wide variety of solid foods in more than minimal amounts.

*Babies who are breastfed on demand are likely to be "colicky" - NOT TRUE!

"Colicky" breastfed babies often gain weight very quickly and sometimes are feeding frequently. However, many are colicky not because they are feeding frequently, but because they do not take the high fat milk as well as they should. Typically, the baby drinks very well for the first few minutes, then nibbles or sleeps. When the baby is offered the other side, he will drink well again for a short while and then nibble or sleep. The baby will fill up with relatively low fat milk and thus feed frequently. The taking in of mostly low fat milk may also result in gas, crying and explosive watery bowel movements. The mother can urge the baby to breastfeed longer on the first side, and thus get more high fat milk.

Breastmilk can be too weak - NOT TRUE!

Your breastmilk is always perfect for your baby.

The first milk (colostrum) may look watery or as bright yellow as butter, to mention only two variations, but is always packed with the nutrients and anti-bodies that your baby needs for the first few days.

Breastmilk's colour changes over the first few days and weeks. By the time your baby is 2 months old it may look quite watery and have a bluish tinge when you express a little. This is absolutely normal and remains perfect for your baby.

Sometimes breastmilk tastes salty - NOT TRUE!

Breastmilk does not taste salty. If your baby is refusing or drinking less than before, the most likely reason is that he has had enough and is cutting back at the time spent at the breast.

Should he appear to be in pain, running a temperature or passing urine that is dark and strong smelling, he is not well and you would need to see your clinic sister or doctor.

It is however true that the taste of strongly flavoured foods that you eat may be present in your milk. Your baby will enjoy this variation in flavour as it tantalises his taste buds in preparation for the family foods that he will enjoy with the family when he is ready.

*If the baby is off the breast for a few days, the mother should not restart breastfeeding because the milk sours - NOT TRUE!

Your milk is as good as it ever was. Breastmilk in the breast is not milk or formula in a bottle.

*A breastfeeding baby needs extra water in hot weather - NOT TRUE!

Breastmilk contains all the water a baby needs.

Breastmilk does not contain enough iron for the baby's needs - NOT TRUE!

Breastmilk contains just enough iron for the baby's needs. If the baby is full term he will get enough iron from breastmilk to last him at least the first six months. Formulas contain too much iron, but this quantity may be necessary to ensure the baby absorbs enough to prevent iron deficiency. The iron in formula is poorly absorbed, and the baby poops out most of it. Generally, there is no need to add other foods to breastmilk before about 6 months of age.

All babies must break a wind after every feed - NOT TRUE!

Too many mothers spend too much time burping their babies. Many babies also get unnecessary medication to 'help them break their winds'

The truth is that many babies don't need much 'winding' time. Once relaxed after a feed a baby could be winded for 5 minutes and whether he has broken a wind in that time or not, he could be put down to sleep. He may break a wind 'top or bottom' later while sleeping. Should he then become restless, he may need a few little pats to settle him down again.

Some babies fall asleep at the breast but as soon as they are put down they wake up. Often this is interpreted as a wind that has woken the baby. It is more likely that he in fact hadn't quite finished his feed and needs a bit more time at the breast.

Holding or carrying your baby too much will spoil him - NOT TRUE!

Spending time holding and cuddling your baby does not spoil him. Babies need to be held and comforted. Ignore attempts by others to prescribe to you and your partner how you should handle your baby. Do what feels right to you.

It is true that some babies are more demanding than others. However by responding to their needs they learn about security and trust. In the long run it is far more beneficial to carry your baby and get family members and others to help, rather than to leave your baby crying on his own.

Babies must be trained to have a routine - NOT TRUE!

It is true that having a baby is a life changing experience. Mothers, fathers, families all have a new role to play. One of the most challenging is learning to cope with night time feeds.

However if you follow your baby's feeding cues (See Feeding Cues on Breastfeeding Page ) and he feeds more often during the day, he is more likely to stretch the time between his night time feeds. For example many babies want to 'cluster-feed' in the late afternoons and evenings, if allowed to do so they are more likely to sleep for a longer stretches at night. Consequently your baby will develop his own 'routine'.

Allow your baby to develop his own routine rather than forcing him into a routine. It is far gentler and teaches your baby about trusting those that care for him. And trust lays down a firm foundation for when your child needs to learn about discipline.

*Babies with cleft lip and/or palate cannot breastfeed - NOT TRUE!

Some do very well. Babies with a cleft lip only usually manage fine. But many babies with cleft palate do indeed find it impossible to latch on. There is no doubt, however, that if breastfeeding is not even tried, for sure the baby won't breastfeed. The baby's ability to breastfeed does not always seem to depend on the severity of the cleft. Breastfeeding should be started, as much as possible, using the principles of proper establishment of breastfeeding. (Refer to Position and Latch on Breastfeeding page.) If bottles are given, they will undermine the baby's ability to breastfeed.

*Myths by Dr Jack Newman

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