Category : Healthcare
“Mothers and babies form an inseparable biological and social unit; the health and nutrition of one group cannot be divorced from the health and nutrition of the other.” -World Health Organization
- Myth: If you don’t have enough milk with first baby it will be same with next baby
Fact: This is not true. The breast usually develops more glandular tissue with an easy pregnancy. - Myth: Many women do not produce enough milk
Fact: Women produce more than enough milk. Most babies that gain weight too slowly, or lose weight not because mother does not have enough milk but because the baby does not get the milk the mother has. Foremost reason is poor latching onto the breast, Delayed start, in frequent feeds, No night feeds, Lack of confidence and complementary feeds are some of the causes of low milk production - Myth: Breasts need time to fill up between feedings
Fact: Your breasts are continually making milk as your baby drinks. You don’t need to want for a certain time before putting your baby back to breast. - Myth: A breast feeding mother has to eat more in order to make milk
Fact: Women on even very low calorie diets usually make enough milk. The mother should eat a balanced diet but neither need not to eat any special foods nor avoid certain foods - Myth: Some babies are allergic to their mother’s milk
Fact: Human milk is most natural and physiologic substance hat baby can ingest. If baby is feeling discomfort then the mother should avoid/omit that food from her diet. - Myth: Eating Gassy foods will make baby gassy
Fact: Breast milk is made from what is in blood stream, not your stomach. Most babies have no trouble with “gassy”, “spicy foods”, caffeine etc. Everything in moderation, unless the baby is feeling discomfort. Most commonly ‘colic’, ‘gassiness ‘and crying can be improved by changing breastfeeding techniques rather than changing mother’s diet - Myth: If the baby has diarrhoea or vomiting the mother should stop breastfeeding
Fact: The best medicine for a baby’s gut infection is breastmilk. Stop solid foods for a short time, but continue breastfeeding - Myth: Night feedings are not important
Fact: The hormone responsible for milk production is highest at the night so night feeding is important for milk production. - Myth: If breast do not seem full or feel soft it means doesn’t have enough milk
Fact: Do not have to feel full to produce plenty of milk or you don’t have enough milk. It simply means milk production is in sync with your baby’s needs. - Myth: Women with small breast produce less milk than those with large breasts
Fact: Not True - Myth:If the baby is off the breast for a few days (week’s) the mother should not restart breastfeeding because the milk sours
Fact: Not True! The milk is as good as it ever was.