Breastfeeding - Facts and Fallacies (from Newsletter #2, 2003)

You should wait until your milk comes in before you start to breastfeed - colostrum isn't important.
FACT: Put baby to the breast as soon as possible after birth.  The baby's sucking will help stimulate the uterus to contract.  Your breasts are soft and easy to latch onto when they are producing colostrum - perfect for when you're still getting the hang of breastfeeding.

Colostrum (often called "liquid gold") is perfectly suited to the baby's needs for the first three days as she adjusts to life outside the womb.  It transfers to baby important immunological agents and is a laxative for the baby to get rid of those first 'tarry' stools.  Colostrum can also help prevent jaundice.

Breastfeeding should be scheduled (every 3-4 hours).
FACT:  For your milk supply to be established and maintained, baby should feed whenever hungry.  Your baby will have growth spurts and may need feeding at different frequencies from week to week to keep filling their tiny tummies. Watch your baby, not the clock and learn to understand when they are hungry. Spacing feeds may teach a baby not to listen to their body and may impair the trust relationship between you.

Feeding my baby 'on-demand' means that my baby will manipulate me.
FACT: Conversely, a baby who is fed when hungry is more often
happier and more content (a great outcome for Mum!).  Baby learns quickly to trust that his needs will be met and may be happier to wait a short time.  (Think of it as "baby-led" feeding.)

Breastfeeding is just about giving my baby food.
FACT: If you breastfeed your baby when she is hungry bonding between mother and baby is promoted - the mother can do something for the baby that no-one else can do.  She will often suckle just because she loves to be close to you - enjoy this very special time.

I can't get pregnant while I'm breastfeeding.
FACT: You will ovulate before you period returns so you can get pregnant while you are breastfeeding. However if you meet certain criteria you have 98% protection from pregnancy.  (This needs to be taught by a Natural Fertility expert.)

Breastfeeding my baby to sleep sets a dangerous precedent.
FACT: Breastfeeding is wholly natural and unique. You will not harm your baby if he falls asleep at your breast and he certainly won't do it forever! Cherish the wonderful way your body provides just what your baby needs - especially at sleep time - use it to your advantage.

Breastfeeding is a hassle - there's nothing in it for me.
FACT: On the contrary, the hormone released for the mother during breastfeeding is the same hormone that is released at orgasm! Breastfeeding can also help mothers reduce weight after birth, without restricting calories.
Breastfeeding is free and you don't need extra equipment for sterilization etc. Research has linked breastfeeding to a dramatically reduced risk of breast cancer.

Every baby should sleep through the night. (for 10-12 hours).
FACT:  Each baby is different - some will feed regularly, others will sleep for longer periods.  Breastmilk is efficiently and easily digested and passes quickly through the digestive system, which is why breastfed babies wake at night.  Bottle feeding will not solve night-waking 'problems'.

Breastfeeding hormones are also at their highest at night.  It's not useful to compare your baby to other babies; appreciate your baby's unique needs.

My body doesn't seem to produce enough milk so I'm using formula to 'top my baby up'.
FACT:  Your body produces milk as baby is sucking.  Once a bottle/formula is introduced, baby may get lazy about sucking from the breast as the bottle has an easier flow.  Reduced sucking time at the breast leads to a reduced milk flow.  To build up your milk supply you need to breastfeed frequently, both day and night.

My baby has started feeding all the time.  This means I don't have enough milk.
FACT:  Baby may breastfeed more often at times to build up your milk supply as he may be about to have a growth spurt or he may be ill and need more comfort (and antibodies) from your milk.

My breastmilk doesn't have enough iron.
FACT:  It has everything your baby needs.  Breastmilk changes in its makeup to meet baby's changing nutritional needs on a daily, weekly and monthly basis as he gets older.  Breastmilk contains the right quantities of iron for your baby, in the most easily digestible form.  Your baby will show you when he is ready for solids (Plunket now recommends trying to introduce solids no earlier than six months of age.)    

I'm pregnant but I'm still breastfeeding my baby - I'll have to wean.
FACT:  Breastfeeding while pregnant does no harm to your developing baby.  Continue to breastfeed as long as the breastfeeding is right for both you and your baby.

I'll never get my life back; I'll always be breastfeeding.
FACT:  Yes you will and no you won't! Baby's sucking becomes more efficient as she gets older and she will naturally space her feeds for longer periods. Breastfed babies can go anywhere! The length of time you breastfeed is a very small proportion of your entire life!

I don't enjoy breastfeeding and don't see why I should do it when baby magazines are full of advertisements for formula being an equal substitute.
FACT:  Breastfeeding is best for both you and your baby.  Contact a Lactation Consultant, your midwife or La Leche League for breastfeeding support and information.  

Written by Sara Meade

Information sourced from and verified by La Leche League NZ and Natural Fertility NZ.