If you ask ten people about breastfeeding, you’ll probably get ten different opinions on what you can or should do when it comes to eating, exercising, pain management, and more. Don’t eat spicy food. Avoid certain medications. Drink special teas for increased production. These thoughts can quickly become overwhelming for new parents already navigating sleepless nights and a steep learning curve – not to mention the amount of misinformation out there. The truth is that many of these warnings are based on outdated guidance or misunderstandings about how breastfeeding actually works. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common breastfeeding myths – from what you can eat to whether your body can produce enough milk – and separate fact from fiction.
Myth: Sore nipples are part of the process.
Think you’re supposed to “tough it out”? Think again! After some mild tenderness and aching during the few days as your body adjusts, breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. If you’re having ongoing pain, bleeding, burning, or cracked skin, it’s likely that something needs adjusting. Baby might have a shallow latch, you might be engorged, or it’s possible your positioning needs to change. But hang in there – many of these issues can be fixed quickly with the right support. Here are some resources from Mothers’ Milk Bank, and don’t hesitate to seek out professional lactation support in the early days – that’s when it’s the most painful!
Myth: You can’t take medicine while breastfeeding.
Most medications are considered safe for breastfeeding and can be timed or dose-adjusted if necessary. Alternative medicine often can be found if needed. If you’re breastfeeding or pumping to donate your milk, always tell your healthcare provider what medication you are taking so they can verify the safety. For milk donors: While HMBANA-accredited milk bank donors (including ours!) are screened for use of certain prescription medications and illegal drugs, many medications are still safe to take while pumping or breastfeeding (such as allergy nasal sprays, birth control, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and more). We will gain a better understanding of any substances in your milk during the donor screening process.
Myth: Many women don’t produce enough breast milk.
We hear it often: One of the most common fears among new parents is “What if I don’t produce enough milk?” Or “How do I know if I’m making enough?” It’s a worry that’s reinforced by fussy babies, growth spurts, and well-meaning advice from friends and family. The reality? True low milk supply is relatively uncommon. According to the USDA (WIC Breastfeeding Support), most mothers are biologically capable of producing enough milk for their baby. Breast milk production works on a supply-and-demand system – the more milk that is removed (by nursing or pumping), the more the body is signaled to produce. Though it’s not unlikely to have low milk supply, what often looks like low supply is actually normal newborn behavior. Babies feed frequently (sometimes 8-12 times a day!) or more, and they often go through phases of cluster feeding, where they want to nurse repeatedly over a short period of time. This can make it feel like your baby is never satisfied, when in reality they are stimulating your body to make more milk.
Myth: Babies don’t need breastmilk after they start eating solid food.
Once you start feeding your baby solids (finger foods and purees), it’s common to hear people say that breast milk isn’t necessary anymore. The thinking is that once solids enter the picture, milk becomes optional – but that’s not how infant nutrition works! Human milk is scientifically-proven to be the most ideal nutrition for babies in their whole first year of life, supporting growth and development as it protects against diseases, infections, allergies, sickness, and obesity. Solid foods introduced around six months are meant to complement milk, not replace it.
Breast milk continues to provide important benefits well beyond the early months. As babies become more mobile, curious, and exposed to the world around them, those protections and benefits remain invaluable.
Myth: You can’t eat certain foods while breastfeeding.
In many places and cultures around the world, breastfeeding mothers regularly eat spicy and strongly flavored foods – curries, heavy garlic, and chilis, to name a few. If you’re being told that your baby’s fussiness or gassiness are due to the foods you’re passing through your breast milk, for most people, this isn’t true. In reality, breastfeeding mothers can typically eat a normal, varied diet. The flavors of the foods you eat can pass into breast milk in very small amounts, but this is typically harmless – and may even be beneficial. Exposure to different flavors through breast milk can help babies become more familiar with the foods that are common in their family’s diet.
Want more resources and support, or have myths you want to ask a professional to debunk? Let us know!
