The Worst Bits of Breastfeeding Advice

[1].  The first problem is that although there is such a thing as breast-feeding jaundice, there are two distinct types with unique issues: (1) the nonfeeding type[2][3] in which jaundice is due to delayed lactation so breastfeeding is actually something that can help and it has been recommended that one fix is to ensure breastfeeding is commenced during the first hour post-birth; and (2) the breastfeeding type[3] which develops in the first week and can last for weeks, but the infant is healthy and vigorous and shows no gastrointestinal effects.  In short: There is no reason to not breastfeed if one’s baby has jaundice.  Even if it’s the non-feeding type, phototherapy can help while your supply increases.

 

“You can’t breastfeed once you’ve gotten mastitis.”  Mastitis sucks, there’s no doubt.  However, it’s actually quite common with a global prevalence of about 10% according to the World Health Organization[4].  It also clears up when milk starts flowing properly and some cases that are more severe will clear up with the use of antibiotics.  The funny thing is, continuing to nurse with a correct latch (which may include looking for tongue ties) is necessary to fix bouts of mastitis (or plugged ducts).  In fact, stopping breastfeeding can make things worse. (For more information on treatment, see [5].)

“It’s impossible to breastfeed twins.”  Let’s look at this two different ways:  evolutionarily and practically.  Evolutionarily, if it was impossible to breastfeed twins, how did the gene for twins survive?  I think death would have pretty much wiped it out (because yes, it is genetic).  I realize with fertility drugs and procedures we have higher rates of twins, but the fact that we have twins at all means it could not have been “impossible” to feed them.  Now let’s look at it practically: You have two breasts and two babies.  Even if they were completely in sync and had to feed at the same time every time, you would still practically be able to feed them.

“You must feed every two hours.”  Even though most “schedules” tell you to go longer, women need to be looking at their baby and not a clock.  Two hours, three hours, four hours – it’s the same difference of ignoring your babies needs and signals in favour of a schedule set by someone else.  Now, some babies will feed every two hours (or less!) but it shouldn’t be forced.

“You have to stop at six months/nine months/one year.”  I can say I know people that feel so strongly about this that they truly did stop the day their child turned one.  It was cold-turkey for the child.  I have no idea where people get these ideas from, but current recommendations from the World Health Organization are for a mother to nurse two years or beyond, so long as it continues to work for the dyad.  Now, some babies will wean earlier than that, some will have to stop for other reasons, but there is no “set date” at which you need to stop nursing.

“You have to stop once they get teeth.”  This one drives me nuts.  First off, does anyone thing babies can really do much with one or two teeth?  That these temporary teeth (whose primary function is actually to help the jaw develop properly for permanent teeth, along with, of course, chewing foods later on[6]) are enough for a baby to move to an all-solid diet?  Second, are people stupid enough to believe that any baby who was born with a tooth (which has happened) shouldn’t nurse?  If so, do they assume historically these babies were just left to die?  Finally, though this seems to be about biting – something that many babies try, but also learn to stop quite quickly – do people not realize a baby can’t bite and nurse at the same time because of how they latch?  If they bite, they are done suckling (even if just momentarily).  Folks: Your baby can nurse and have teeth.  Heck, I’m nursing a 3 ½ year old.  She’s got lots of teeth and hasn’t bitten since she tried with her first few teeth (and only then when teething and looking for pain relief herself).

“If your baby is hungry soon after feeding, s/he’s not getting enough.”  Let’s define “soon after” – 5 minutes?  10 minutes?  An hour?  Some babies nurse every 30 minutes at the start.  Some nurse regularly later on as they get distracted while nursing and simply don’t finish what they started and return when they realize they are still hungry.  If baby does not seem satiated or if you are concerned, make an appointment with a Lactation Consultant who can better help you diagnose any problem and help find a solution.

“Use sandpaper to harden your nipples up.”  I don’t even know what to say.  I can only assume the people that recommended this are either masochists or sadists.  Stay far, far away.

“It should come easily to you.”  Breastfeeding doesn’t come “easily” to most women in our culture because we don’t spend a lot of time learning the art from other women in our community.  There are also a host of problems that may need resolving in the first few weeks including incorrect latches, food sensitivities, nipple pain, and more.  The problem is that this is an expectation that many women have and in turn give up from because it doesn’t come easily; however, around 80% of women encounter problems breastfeeding at the start and without help and support will give up[8].  If you hear this said to a woman, please step in and inform her otherwise.

“Breastfed babies don’t need to be burped.”  Some people believe that the only air babies inhale while feeding is from a bottle.  Not true.  Not all babies have perfectly sealed latches.  Not all babies don’t unlatch and relatch while getting some air in too.  Although it may be true to say breastfed babies may burp less than bottlefed babies on average, it’s by no means not needed.  If your baby needs to burp, your baby needs to burp.

“If your baby isn’t eating, take him/her off the breast.”  (Similar to “Don’t let your baby use you as a pacifier.”)  Not only is this not true, this may actually be detrimental to nursing relationships.  Babies suckle for comfort; remember, the pacifier was designed as a substitute for the nipple for babies because they often need this type of oral suckling to help calm them.  Babies who don’t feel they can obtain comfort from the nursing relationship may be more likely to wean early.

“Your baby needs to feed for [a minimum of/a maximum of] X minutes on each breast.”  I know the point of this is to make sure women empty each breast so that babe reaches the hindmilk, however, every woman’s breast and child will be different and take different amounts of time to empty.  When we give hard and fast rules on timing, this can often create more stress for women who are already struggling with the demands of adjusting to nursing.  This can also be problematic if a woman’s breast takes a longer amount of time to empty as a mom may switch baby over before emptying the breast[9].  Teaching a woman to recognize the symptoms if her baby is not getting hindmilk (which will also affect milk production as the breast needs to empty, or be close, to keep producing) would be much more beneficial.

“Undress your baby to make him/her cold so s/he’ll get hungry.”  Yes, babies tend to nurse when they are cold because the milk can warm them; however, I think there better ways.  If you have a baby who is refusing to latch or nurse, it is most likely not because s/he isn’t hungry, but something else.  Check out this resource – [10] – for advice and recommendations.  [Note this is different that undressing for skin-to-sve and in turn give up from because it doesn’t come easily; however, around 80% of women encounter problems breastfeeding at the start and without help and support will give up[8].  If you hear this said to a woman, please step in and inform her otherwise.

 

“Breastfed babies don’t need to be burped.”  Some people believe that the only air babies inhale while feeding is from a bottle.  Not true.  Not all babies have perfectly sealed latches.  Not all babies don’t unlatch and relatch while getting some air in too.  Although it may be true to say breastfed babies may burp less than bottlefed babies on average, it’s by no means not needed.  If your baby needs to burp, your baby needs to burp.

“If your baby isn’t eating, take him/her off the breast.”  (Similar to “Don’t let your baby use you as a pacifier.”)  Not only is this not true, this may actually be detrimental to nursing relationships.  Babies suckle for comfort; remember, the pacifier was designed as a substitute for the nipple for babies because they often need this type of oral suckling to help calm them.  Babies who don’t feel they can obtain comfort from the nursing relationship may be more likely to wean early.

“Your baby needs to feed for [a minimum of/a maximum of] X minutes on each breast.”  I know the point of this is to make sure women empty each breast so that babe reaches the hindmilk, however, every woman’s breast and child will be different and take different amounts of time to empty.  When we give hard and fast rules on timing, this can often create more stress for women who are already struggling with the demands of adjusting to nursing.  This can also be problematic if a woman’s breast takes a longer amount of time to empty as a mom may switch baby over before emptying the breast[9].  Teaching a woman to recognize the symptoms if her baby is not getting hindmilk (which will also affect milk production as the breast needs to empty, or be close, to keep producing) would be much more beneficial.

“Undress your baby to make him/her cold so s/he’ll get hungry.”  Yes, babies tend to nurse when they are cold because the milk can warm them; however, I think there better ways.  If you have a baby who is refusing to latch or nurse, it is most likely not because s/he isn’t hungry, but something else.  Check out this resource – [10] – for advice and recommendations.  [Note this is different that undressing for skin-to-skin contact which can help stimulate suckling and is good for babe.]

“Your boobs are too small/too large to breastfeed properly.”  This is one of the most common misconceptions about breasts and breastfeeding around.  Let me state it clearly: There is NO relationship between breast size and ability to breastfeed.  None.  Breasts are made to make milk and the difference between large and small breasted women is fatty tissue which has nothing to do with milk production.  The parts of the breast we use for milk production will develop during pregnancy regardless of breast size.

“Your baby will starve if they only get breast milk.”  How does this person think we survived as a species then?  What does s/he think we did for hundreds of thousands of years before formula (as I can only assume that’s what is being recommended as supplementation)?  No matter which way you cut it, there no excuse for this type of ignorance.

“You need to drink [cow’s] milk to be able to make milk.”  I had a friend in high school who answered in class that the Grand Canyon was one of the six geographical regions of Canada[11].  This comment makes that comment look like “E=mc²”.

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In addition to these were the commonly known traps of telling moms they aren’t producing enough if their milk doesn’t come in quickly enough, or that you need to supplement to give yourself a break (which may be true in some cases, but is told to women as if they must do it), or that you have to create a feeding schedule right from birth.  It seems the breastfeeding movement still has a long way to go.  Until women are being given accurate information and the support they need, no one has the right to say that we don’t need anything more to help increase breastfeeding rates and successes.  Let’s work to make that happen.

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