I feel it is important to dispell the myths of why so many Moms supposedly couldn't breastfeed. I feel this is important because such myths interfere with the normalization of breastfeeding and because the fact is breast milk is the natural, normal food for human babies and formula is a less healthy substitute. It isn't just as good or almost as good. Breast milk is nature's norm so formula is less them normal. End of story.
All too often I hear expectant moms tell me they hope they will be able to breastfeed. When I ask why they think they might not be able to 9/10 times they respond by telling me of all the moms they know or have heard of who "couldn't" breastfeed. The fact is most moms who claim they couldn't, in fact could have if they had gone to Le Leche League, gotten a Lactation consultant (now free in many areas), or made the commitment to the lifestyle of a nursing mom. By perpetuating this myth we further undermine breastfeeding by having new moms start off believing it's something only a few can achieve. It is time to stop being silent for fear of mommy wars and people's feelings. Mommy wars are nothing more then formula propaganda to silence the truth. So hear it is; the cold, hard truth.
Legitimate reasons a mom can't breastfeed: * please note non of these are common.
√ cleft lip / palette. Except in a minor case this will interfere with a baby's ability to latch.
√ mastectomy. Obviously yes this will interfere with breastfeeding.
√ breast reduction. Depending on how the reduction is preformed this can effect the milk ducts.
√ / x lip ties. It can make breastfeeding difficult. A doctor can easily fix this so please don't give up!
√ a very few life threatening, chronic illnesses. Check with both your doctor and a licensed lactation consultant.
The myths: if the below reasons are reasons you tell other moms you "couldn't" breastfeed, please help normalize breastfeeding by saying you decided not to breastfeed as the lifestyle choice wasn't for you.
X) inverted nipples. This is what breast shields are designed for. See a Lactaion Consultant (LC) or go to Le Leche League (LLL) meetings for assistance.
X) small breasts. Got news for you, size doesn't matter. At best I am an A cup (when not nursing).
X) my baby refuses the breast. Well then you shouldn't have been using bottles.
•Yes breastfeeding every hour or two all day and all night is tiring. That is the sacrifice of being a mom, suck it up!
• yes you are expected to put your life on hold and not be out "having fun", using a baby sitter several nights a week, you're a parent now, get over it!
•yes you are expected to nurse in public, do other moms, a favor and help normalize breastfeeding.
X) not enough milk. Unlikely.
• if baby has the correct number of wet diapers and is gaining weight you have enough milk. In the unlikely event baby doesn't there are many natural, healthy, easy ways to correct this. Get an LC and go to LLL.
• do NOT judge your milk supply on what you can pump. Pumping is not as effective as nursing.
* note Many moms are using lactation aides to increase milk supply who do not need them. Stop, please, cuz it is counter productive to normalizing breastfeeding.
*x* if you are regularly using formula this will cause you to not have enough milk. Stop slacking, ditch the formula and nurse your baby.
X) baby nurses non stop so I " know " I don't have enough
• wrong, baby is constantly growing, spurt after spurt especially in first 4 months. Every time baby grows, baby needs a larger supply and must tell your body to make the new supply level by nursing all the time. Go to LLL and you will learn tonnes.
X) my milk is to weak.
•Nope, your just switching sides before the first breast is emptied so baby isn't getting all that healthy fattening hind milk. Unless you feel a tugging sensation at the back of your breast, that breast isn't empty. I don't care if the L&D nurse said to switch sides every 10 min, that info was given to the nurse by formula companies. Go to LLL.
X) my baby nurses 45 min at a time / I don't have time
• yeah, it's not a 5 min job, sit down, nurse and enjoy your baby for as long as baby needs.
X) my baby has teeth. Nope.
• babies should be exclusively breastfeed for a minimum of 6 months. Sometime after that food can be introduced. Breastfeeding (according to the world health organization) should continue till age 2, or longer. Babies nurse with teeth. It is quick and easy to ensure your baby won't bite while nursing. They don't get milk if biting. Go to LLL for advice.
X) I'm on medication. Most meds don't cross the milk barrier in any significant amount.
•Get an LC, ask her to join you at a doctors appointment and together they can put you on appropriate meds.
X) I had to quit due to a bad cold.
• If your sick your body is producing the antibodies (which are in your milk) to protect baby. Go to LLL
X) mastitis.
•Best cure for mastitis is nursing + antibiotics. Go see your doctor and LLL.
X) yeast infection / thrush.
• go see your doctor and an LC if needed also. You need to treat you and baby. But you absolutely can still breastfeed.
X) baby won't nurse under my nursing cover.
• Then don't use the stupid cover! These were designed by formula companies to hide breastfeeding. Help other moms by helping to normalize breastfeeding.
X) smoking tobacco or marijuana.
•Well we all know it isn't a healthy choice for mom, but it doesn't cross the milk barrier and you can breastfeed. What is unhealthy is 2nd hand smoke though.
X) drug use or alcoholism
• yeah you shouldn't be breastfeeding. This doesn't mean your body isn't able too. It means you aren't putting your babies needs first and probably shouldn't be a parent either. So no, I don't class this as unable to breastfeed, just choose not to cuz drugs or alcohol was more important to you.
X) baby's dad wants to use a bottle for bonding time.
•fact is bottle feeding simply isn't a bonding thing for babies on the same level as nursing. The only activity that is as bonding is reading to your child. So tell dad to read before you nurse baby.
• another thing is to have dad cuddle up to mom and baby while baby nurses. Its comfy, sweet and really good for mom's post partum mental health.
X) I need / want to go on a diet.
• well you can breastfeed but you shouldn't diet. Dieting is never healthy anyways. Go see a dietician, learn to eat proper portions for a nursing mom and take baby on brisk walks. Add a baby carrier instead of a stroller and you will burn more calories.
X) my baby is to fat. Nope.
•There is no such thing as an exclusively breastfeed baby that is too fat. Once they walk they will slim down unless you feed them unhealthy food and / or too much.
X) baby doesn't sleep through the night. LMAO. Get used to it.
• sleeping through the night from 6-18+ months is medically considered one 5 hour stretch. Welcome to motherhood.
•a baby's tummy and digestive system is teeny tiny and needs to be fed regularly. Giving baby artificial food to sleep longer is a selfish act that has zero benefit for baby.
X) baby won't latch well / cracked nipples.
• LLL and or an LC. Poor latch is about a learning curve. Get help fixing the latch and all will be better. A good LC can fix this in minutes.
•babies naturally know how to latch. Most do right after birth and then suddenly seem to forget. They didn't forget. You clothed them and put them in "nursing holds". Go google " laid back nursing ". It is easy, restful and the natural position.
X) I am vegan
• human milk, seriously it won't turn your child into a meat eater any more them it will turn them into a cannibal. (I've only heard this once)
^^and on that note^^ do NOT tamper with the breast milk! Do not water it down, do not make your own replacement (home made formula), cuz it will be lacking even more of natures magic then formula, you do not have the science background to know what you are doing!
Again, things you can do:
√Look up your local Le Leche League meetings.
√Ask your health unit, doctor, midwife or hospital for lactation consultant. They are fantastic trained help needed by most mom's because todays moms grew up not seeing breastfeeding. It is time to normalize nursing.
√Look up Dr. Jack Newman (world known expert) and get his book. If you live in Ontario then email him. If you live in Toronto book am appointment.
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