10 Myths and Truths About Breastmilk

Breastfeeding is a delicate moment in the life of the mother and the baby, and it is usually a difficult time and it brings with it many fears, such as the fear of dry milk, being little or being weak to the baby.

However, it is important to know that breastmilk is made exactly the way and how much the child needs, and that it is the only food needed by the 6th month of the baby's life. To get more questions, here are 10 myths and truths about breastmilk.

1. Milk May Be Poor For Your Baby

MYTH. Breast milk is made with all the nutrients needed for the baby's growth and development at every stage of life, even in the case of skinny women.

In the early days it is more yellowish by being rich in proteins and immune cells, which will help protect the baby from diseases and infections early in life. Then it becomes more consistent and in greater quantity as it becomes rich in fats to help the baby gain weight.

2. The mother needs to drink lots of liquids to have more milk

TRUTH . The main component of milk is water, and so the woman needs to drink plenty of water and other liquids like juices, vitamins and teas to maintain a good milk production. The recommendation is for the mother to consume 3 to 4 liters of water per day.

3. Small breasts produce little milk

MYTH . The size of the breast does not influence the amount of milk produced, and large or small breasts have the same ability to feed the baby well. The main care to have a good milk production is to feed yourself well, drink plenty of water and breastfeed whenever the baby wants.

4. Stress and anxiety decrease milk production

TRUTH . Stress, anxiety and nervousness alter the production of hormones that control the production of milk, and can reduce the amount of milk manufactured. To avoid this complication, the mother should try to relax, rest and stay in a quiet place whenever possible, stimulating her connection with the baby and enjoying the new phase of life.

5. Industrialized milk powder is stronger than breast milk

MYTH . Breast milk is the strongest and most suitable for the baby, but many families find that the baby feels less hungry when consuming industrialized milk. However, this belief comes from the fact that breastmilk is better digested and absorbed by the baby's intestines, causing him to get more milk in less time. On the other hand, industrialized milk is harder to absorb by the baby, and it spends more time digesting it.

6. Breast milk is enough until the 6th month of the baby

TRUTH . Breast milk is the only food that the baby needs until the 6th month of life, and it is not necessary to supplement their feeding with water, teas, fruit juices or any other food.

7. Silicone disrupts milk production

MYTH . Silicone placement or mammoplasty does not interfere with milk production or the breastfeeding process, provided that they are made using the appropriate technique to preserve the mammary glands of the breast.

8. It is necessary to dry one entire breast before giving the other to the baby

TRUTH . At each feeding, the baby should first dry one entire breast before starting to nurse on the other. This is because the milk goes out in phases while the baby sucks, the first part being mainly water and protein, and the last one formed by fats that will help the baby to gain weight.

If the baby does not suck all the milk from one breast, at the next feed he must continue in the same breast to finish all his milk before going to the other.

9. Canjica, black beer, rapadura and cane molasses increase the production of milk

MYTH . No food is able to increase milk production because it depends on the entire food of the mother and the amount of liquids she consumes during the day. Besides eating healthy and balanced, the very act of breastfeeding is what most stimulates the hormones responsible for increasing the amount of milk produced.

10. Colostrum is rich in antibodies

TRUTH . Colostrum, milk that comes out the first few days after the baby's birth, is rich in antibodies that pass from the mother to the baby and is essential to protect the child from illness and infection in the first days of life. Sometimes, when the baby becomes sick later, breastmilk also modifies to give immunity to the baby and help him recover faster .