Los Angeles, CA, USA, 05/25/2016 /SubmitPressRelease123/
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that women continue to breastfeed their babies until 12 months of age. However, only 50% of women report breastfeeding after 6 months.
Kids in the House interviewed several experts to find out why. Often the reasons that mothers say they stop breastfeeding have more to do with myth than fact. Here are the top 3 breastfeeding myths exposed.
#1: Concerns About Milk Supply
While it is possible to not be producing enough breast milk, this is simply not the case for 95% of new mothers. So why do so many people believe this? Corky Harvey, MS., RN, IBCLC, co-founder of Pump Station & Nurtury and Kids in the House expert attributes the confusion to a lack of education on how milk is made, how to get milk production started, and how to maintain a good supply.
All of the important details on breastfeeding, from useful tips to in-depth explanations of anatomy and physiology, can be garnered from baby preparation classes or lactation specialist consultants. Depending on where you live and where you stand financially, attending these specialized classes is not always an option.
Luckily, there are great online resources available on your computer or phone, from video demonstrations to emotional support and medical professionals’ insight.
#2: Going Back to Work
Maternity leave has become a much-debated issue as of late in the United States, and with good reason. As of now, federal law provides twelve weeks of job-protected leave in a 12-month period for parents that have just had a child, but it is not mandated that these weeks be paid. This is known as the Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA.
Twelve weeks might not sound like enough time to be one on one with your baby without a job getting in the way, but for some people, so many weeks without income is simply not feasible.
Returning to the office does not automatically rule out the ability to continue breastfeeding. While many people are dissatisfied with the current federal regulations surrounding maternity leave, they can take solace in new measures that protect a mother’s right to breastfeed at work.
Depending on your state legislature, you may be entitled to more than these barebones allowances, so be sure to check out government websites to make sure your employer guidelines are respecting your rights.
#3: Worries About How Diet May Affect Baby
Breastfeeding is touted as the most effective way to pass on nutrients and antibodies to your young one, but some mothers are concerned what other substances are making it through to their child.
Illness
If you’ve been fighting through an illness, your immediate response might be to distance yourself from the baby to protect them from coming down with it. In certain cases for contagious illnesses, this is understandable. Being sick doesn’t mean you have to completely nix breastfeeding. In fact, it can be your child’s best source of immunity. The mother’s body produces antibodies for her illness, which go directly to the baby so that he or she does not contract it as well.
Alcohol
Although you should absolutely prevent exposing your baby to alcohol, that doesn’t mean that you have to choose between breastfeeding or having a glass of wine.
Pump Station & Nurtury co-founder Wendy Haldeman, RN., MN., IBCLC, recommends planning out your pump schedule and storage ahead of time based on how much alcohol you will be consuming.
If you begin drinking around the same time your baby goes to sleep, your body will have cleared the alcohol from your system–and your breast milk– by the time he or she wakes up in a few hours.
If you know you’re going to have more than one serving of alcohol, pump ahead of time to stock up. Refrigerate the clean supply for later.
Products like Milk Screen are available to definitively check your milk for alcohol presence.
For more information on Breastfeeding, check out Kids in the House top tips for breast milk storage and pumps.
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