Myths Buster!

I recently spoke to a group of parents in an antenatal class & spent a lot of time debunking myths about breastfeeding & early parenting.

Myth 1. The funniest one I heard was ‘crying exercises a baby’s lungs!
Fact 1.  Our lungs are not a muscle! Lungs are organs! They work simply by breathing in & out. Crying stresses & distresses a baby.

Myth 2. Babies get colic.
Fact 2.  Colic is not a condition but a term to describe crying & behaviour that parents basically don’t know how to handle. The signs & symptoms parents describe are usually the results of a baby being overstimulated, potentially ineffectively or insufficiently fed or is overtired. Watching & responding early to your baby’s tired signs & hunger cues, I strongly believe, will prevent ‘colic’. Other issues may be need medical investigation.

Myth 3. Breastfeeding hurts & will do so for many weeks after the birth of your baby.
Fact 3.  Initially the first couple of breastfeeds may feel strange as the tissue in & behind your nipples stretch & adapt to their new role of delivering breastmilk. Any pain means there is an issue with the attachment potentially for a number of reasons. Don’t put up with pain! Get help early to sort out issues quickly so you enjoy breastfeeding sooner & hopefully for longer.

Myth 4. My mother says she couldn’t breastfeed & says I probably won’t be able to breastfeed either.
Fact 4.  More women can breastfeed than those who can’t. We definitely need to change that myth! By educating new mothers, we can help spread the word, give better advice, which will help and encourage mothers to breastfeed.

Myth 5. The baby will use you as a dummy.
Fact 5.  No your baby will not. Encourage him throughout a feed to keep swallowing for a more effective feed. Does it really matter if he does want a little extra time at the breast for a cuddle at the end of a feed?

Myth 6. Don’t let your baby breastfeed to sleep?
Fact 6.  There are hormones in the milk to help your baby go to sleep. How good is that! The sooner your baby goes to sleep the sooner you can go back to bed, have a drink or something to eat.

Myth 7. You will spoil your baby if you feed or cuddle him off to sleep.
Fact 7.  See above. Do you like a cuddle from your partner before you go to sleep? Are you being spoilt?

Myth 8. Don’t pick up your baby the minute she cries, she has to learn.
Fact 8.  Learn what?? Her underdeveloped brain doesn’t know what is being taught. She senses abandonment & experiences stress & fear. Do you like being ignored when you are upset, scared or crying?

Lastly the most worrying piece of advice!

Myth 9. Don’t have your baby sleeping in the same room as you.
Fact 9.  Really?? SIDS guidelines say otherwise, please follow them, they can save your baby’s life!

You can connect with Lynne on Facebook. She also authors her book series “breastfeeding & Baby matters“.

Lynne, Lactation Consultant

Lynne has over 30 years experience as a Registered Nurse and Midwife. She has her Masters of Nursing and for the last 11 years has worked as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in Sydney. “I love my job. It’s so fulfilling to be able to work to help mothers get the parenting experience that they want to give their child. I get a great thrill when I can ‘dry’ someone’s tears by helping them have a pain free breastfeed and showing them how to settle their baby into a happy sleep. What drives me to help women and their babies is the mountain of scientific evidence and research available to support the arts of both breastfeeding and parenting. To a new parent, this surplus can be daunting to tackle on their own. But with help and in very practical ways, it can be used to counter the old wives’ tales and myths that have overridden a mother’s natural instinct for too long. A part of my work has involved developing a series of eight booklets under the title, ‘Breastfeeding and Baby Matters’. I wrote this series in response to the many parents who asked me to write down the help and strategies I suggested during their consultation. These eight booklets cover the main issues and concerns that most mothers raise. I very much looking forward to meeting you and joining you on your wondrous new journey as a parent.” You are more than welcome to ask Lynne questions about pregnancy, babies and breastfeeding, simply post your questions on our Facebook page Mamaway AU.