Nursing Myths and Mom Facts

(Newswire.net — November 20, 2017) Cheyenne, Wyoming — There are many folklores regarding breastfeeding, one such is for new mothers to rest a warm wet rag on their breast then use a hair comb to literally comb along the sides of the breast to stimulate lactation. Now as crazy as that sounds there is a half truth to this tale. Warmth does help milk ducts to dilate which will certainly assist in milk flow. As for using a comb, that’s just being overdramatic when massaging with one’s hands and gently squeezing above the areola works perfectly well.

Ranging from the ridiculous to the most plausible there are a million and one breastfeeding thoughts in circulation to confuse nursing moms. Here are a few more you may or may not have heard of, alongside the truth of the matter, courtesy of the fitPregnancy and Baby Magazine. 

#1: Small breasts can’t/won’t produce enough milk for your baby.

Fact: This one of those times when size doesn’t matter. “The breast tissue you need to nurse a baby grows in response to pregnancy regardless of your breast size,” says Judith Lauwers, member of the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA). The milk ducts are found in the essential functional tissues in all women, not in fatty tissue that lends itself to volumizing the breast.

#2: Breast-augmentation or breast-reduction surgery in the past will stop all abilities to breastfeed.

Fact: It depends. “These days, implants are usually inserted near the armpit or under the breast tissue or chest muscle, which shouldn’t interfere with breastfeeding,” says manager of the Center for Breastfeeding Information at La Leche League International, Carol Huotari. “If the nipple is left partially attached during the procedure and then reattached once the unwanted breast tissue has been removed, it’s more likely that you’ll be able to breastfeed.” 

#3: You should avoid nursing if you have a breast infection or blocked milk ducts.

Truth: Absolutely not true, in fact it’s even more the reason to breastfeed. “It usually happens when the baby’s nursing patterns change and the breast becomes overfull,” says Lauwers of ILCA. “For instance, when a baby starts taking longer naps, eating solid foods and sleeping through the night, she may nurse less frequently, which can lead to blocked ducts.” Also remember the warm rag tale above? Along with continued feedings, applying warmth to the breast certainly helps to unclog blocked ducts.

Another fib told to moms is that they absolutely can’t drink while nursing. While moderation, discretion and wisdom must be employed, it’s not such a black or white matter as many portrait it to be. Planning ahead when and how much your body can tolerate alcohol are key questions each mom has to answer before taking a sip. 

Moreover, knowing how long to wait for the alcohol to pass through your system, and by extension your breast milk, is important. Part of the preparation process is having a breast milk analysis kit at hand such as the PureMilk Alcohol Detecting Strips by HealthyWiser. Your health and that of your baby are too precious to be left up to chance when a simple test can tell in seconds when it’s safe to resume nursing.