16 Breastfeeding Tips, Myths & Facts

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Listed below are some myths about breastfeeding, according to Fox News.

Myth #1: Breastfeeding is painful. 

If breastfeeding hurts, consult a lactation consultant. Krista Gray, a lactation consultant, states, "A mother should never be cringing, shaking, or have cracked or bleeding nipples."  

Myth #2: Babies should follow a feeding schedule. 

Each baby is different. Some follow a pattern, while others do not.  

Myth #3: Heat will reduce swelling breasts. 

Sara Chana Silverstein, a lactation consultant, states that heat actually increases milk production. She recommends using ice to reduce the inflamed tissue surrounding the breast ducts. 

Myth #4: How much milk is pumped is the amount the mother produces. 

Gray states that babies can "always get more milk than a pump can." 

Myth #5: Mothers who have had any kind of breast augmentation surgery cannot breastfeed. 

Another lactation consultant, Helen Anderson, states that this may still be possible for women who have had breast surgery to breastfeed. However, she advises these women to see a doctor first. 

Below are some facts about breastfeeding reported by Web MD.

Fact #1: Breastfed babies eat more.  

Breast milk is easier to digest which causes the baby to get "hungrier sooner." Newborns should be breastfed every two to three hours. 

Fact #2: Formula-fed babies may sleep longer. 

Babies who drink formula milk sleep longer because it takes longer for them to digest this substance than breast milk.  

Fact #3: Breastfeeding can affect the size, shape, and sensitivity of women's breasts. 

Breastfeeding will change the "look and feel" of a woman's breasts.  

Fact #4: The more a mother nurses her baby, the more milk she will produce. 

Resting while nursing will decrease a mother's milk production. Nursing nine or ten times a day will make more milk, states experts. 

Fact #5: Breastfeeding women can get pregnant. 

Experts say that breastfeeding is an effective birth control but the site also alludes to a large number of babies being born only ten months apart. "Breastfeeding is not a guaranteed form of birth control," they explain.  

The following are some useful tips from Baby Center about breastfeeding. 

Tip #1: Learn to breastfeed. 

R.L. suggests attending a class to learn the basics of breastfeeding because it is not easy at first. 

Tip #2: Do not schedule breastfeeding. 

Gina Locke advises mothers to "go with your instincts" when it comes to deciding when to feed the baby. 

Tip #3: Proper latching. 

Heidi Hudson suggests for mothers to "make sure your baby's mouth covers a large part of the underside of your nipple." 

Tip #4: Relax, and do not panic. 

Sandy Kenniston reminds mothers that both mother and child are learning together, so give it time and relax. 

Tips #5: Drink cold water. 

Wendy Katzman says drinking cold water through a straw while the baby is latched will help lessen the "pain" during breastfeeding. 

Tip #6: The proper way to deal with dry and cracked nipples. 

An anonymous mother states her doctor recommended to spread some breast milk on the nipples after nursing to help with dryness and cracking.