Breastfeeding myths and misconceptions

Breast milk is sometimes insufficiently nutritious

"Low or insufficiently nutritious" breast milk does not exist, except perhaps in vegan mothers who forget to supplement with vitamin B12. For others, if the baby is not gaining weight within WHO norms, it most likely means they are not receiving enough of this precious liquid. In this case, it is worth gently increasing skin-to-skin time and offering as many feeds as possible over several days. If that is not sufficient, it would be beneficial to have the situation assessed by someone with expertise in breastfeeding.
 

Galactagogues are needed to breastfeed
 

A substance that increases milk production is called a galactagogue.
 

Many mums think they have a low milk supply, even when their supply is normal. They therefore think that the best breastfeeding food supplement is galactagogue-based. 
 

In reality, in the vast majority of cases, galactagogues are not necessary, whether to maintain, support or increase milk supply. Plant-based galactagogues such as fenugreek, blessed thistle and alfalfa are the most commonly used. There are also several prescription medications that can increase milk production. Before deciding to take a galactagogue, it is important to understand the reasons for any insufficient milk production, where applicable. Do not hesitate to seek support. A plant may be strongly inadvisable when suffering from certain conditions (for example, fenugreek should be avoided in mothers with diabetes).

A breastfeeding snack, a moringa capsule breastfeeding or a breastfeeding herbal tea can help, if everything else is properly in place. 

We need to be careful about what we eat when breastfeeding, and more generally we need to have impeccable behaviour (no alcohol, no coffee, very healthy diet…)
 

In reality, breastfeeding does not necessarily require a perfect diet. Advice on the matter is plentiful and creates unnecessary stress for mothers. A woman with an unbalanced diet will be more prone to excessive fatigue and to being underweight or overweight. She will be more likely to feel tired or even low if she has numerous vitamin and mineral deficiencies — so we avoid restrictive diets and focus on breastfeeding and weight loss. Even so, her milk will always be perfectly suited to her baby. Granted, a mother who lives on junk food and industrially fried food will pass on more saturated fats in her milk than one with a less processed fatty acid intake. Nevertheless, it is always preferable for both to breastfeed rather than to use infant formula.

Alcohol and coffee can be permitted within reasonable limits. It is a good idea to seek advice from a specialist. To find out more, visit our articles alcohol and breastfeeding ; and coffee and breastfeeding.

In the case of a fever, breastfeeding must be stopped

Fever is the body's response to a bacterial or viral infection. The mother is fighting the infection, and in this context it would be unwise to interrupt a physiological function of her body, namely lactation. In fact, heat encourages milk flow, and fever can itself be the consequence of a milk stasis episode (engorgement, mastitis…); the first approach is therefore to increase feeds.
 

It is also worth noting that the breast milk of a mother who has caught a virus contains antibodies specifically targeted to help her baby fight the infection itself. To find out more on this topic, see our article fever and breastfeeding.
 

All medication is incompatible with breastfeeding

A breastfeeding-compatible medication can be found across most drug families. With the exception of a serious illness such as cancer, breastfeeding can often be preserved, as doctors and dentists have a wide range of therapeutic options compatible with breastfeeding at their disposal. If in doubt, specialist resources such as the CRAT (Centre de Recherche des Agents Tératogènes) or a pharmacovigilance centre can advise the prescriber.

I'm going back to work soon and I need to wean my baby
 

In most Western countries, the law protects mothers who breastfeed and return to work, through legislative provisions that allow them either to bring their baby to their workplace, leave earlier to breastfeed, or to express their milk on site. Whether this time away from their employer duties is paid should be checked on a case-by-case basis. However, the breastfeeding leave does not exist in France.

With a little creativity, it is easy to combine breastfeeding with returning to work or study. To find out more, see our article breastfeeding at work.
 

Of course, mothers will have a number of questions at this point. It is entirely possible to think in terms of solutions rather than constraints when returning to work, especially if breastfeeding has become something you truly enjoy.

I won't be able to breastfeed (small breasts, inverted nipples…)
 

I think I'm about to spend the next 6 months asking to photograph the breasts of mothers who have been told their breasts are too this or not enough that. If you'd like to share your photos, I'll happily pass on my email address! It's rare that one actually needs a device to shape a perfect nipple for a baby. Granted, premature babies don't yet have the sucking reflex needed to latch easily, and some mothers have inverted nipples with genuine tissue adhesions that cause the nipple to retract at the slightest attempt to help it erect. These situations are, thankfully, rare. There is therefore no need to pack a nipple shield in your maternity bag. Babies don't latch onto a nipple — they take a "mouthful of breast".

Breast size is generally of very little importance, with the rare exception of women who have hypoplasia of the mammary gland, meaning insufficient glandular tissue. This does not prevent them from breastfeeding, even if some will never be able to feed their baby exclusively with their own milk. They can still build a relationship at the breast and enjoy the pleasure of giving their baby their milk.

Breastfeeding is exhausting

Carrying a child and caring for them takes a great deal out of a mother, all the more so when she has little support. Traditional societies understood this well: a true village would form around the new mother to ease her daily life by taking on household tasks or looking after older children.

Breastfeeding mothers feel a certain sense of release at each feed, and even a feeling of thirst in the first few weeks. It is their way of connecting with their baby and offering them their milk, their love.
 

Studies also confirm that a breastfeeding mother gets 40 minutes more sleep per day than a mother who does not breastfeed at all, and 20 minutes more than a mother who gives formula, which is rather surprising, isn't it? To find out more on this topic, have a look at our article on breastfeeding and sleep. 
 

A "little" breastfeeding is pointless (1 day, 1 week…), it's better not to start and go straight to bottle-feeding
 

Every drop of milk received by a newborn is precious. Whether your baby receives colostrum only, a few days of breast milk, or several weeks or months, every bit counts for them. They will receive stem cells from your breast milk, along with specific antibodies to support their immune system.

The benefits of breastfeeding are described as "dose-dependent", meaning the longer you breastfeed, the more the benefits are seen in both mum and baby. This does not diminish the value of a few millilitres of colostrum or milk. To find out more, have a look at our article on the benefits of breastfeeding. 
 

Breastfeeding always hurts at the start, and cracked nipples are inevitable
 

Pain is a symptom, a warning signal indicating that something is not right. Our nipples are rarely called upon with such vigour and enthusiasm outside of breastfeeding, and some sensitivity in the 5 days following birth is to be expected. There is no question of enduring severe pain from the very beginning.

The vast majority of pain can be attributed to a latch that is still a little awkward. That said, some babies may clench their gums due to a particularly demanding birth or the use of instruments during delivery. Some babies are also observed to have a preference for turning their head to one side. Others have a receding chin, known as retrognathia. Sometimes it is also worth looking at the shape of the palate and checking for good tongue mobility, which can be affected by a tight tongue-tie. It is also worth noting that bacteria or fungi can sometimes settle on already damaged skin and tend to overgrow, slowing down the natural healing process of the nipples.
 

So, if cracks are not healing, or pain persists beyond a few seconds or the first few days, it is worth seeking help from a specialist. A midwife may well be able to offer some support. Calling on an IBCLC lactation consultant before one initial pain leads to another and then another, ultimately leading you to wean your baby early, is an option well worth keeping in mind.

To find out more, have a look at our article on the breastfeeding nipple cracks.
 

Breastfeeding damages your breasts
 

Pregnancy, age, genetics and smoking are well-known factors in breast sagging. Many people worry that prolonged breastfeeding may be an additional aggravating cause. In reality, this is not the case. However, a breastfeeding journey that involves a number of complications that are poorly managed - engorgement, breastfeeding mastitis, abscesses, severely damaged nipples, can unfortunately cause lasting harm to the breasts. It is therefore not breastfeeding itself that affects their appearance, but rather a breastfeeding journey that is not going well.

Breastfeeding means leaving the father out
 

Fathers have a thousand particularly meaningful ways to get involved when their baby is born. Some feel left out, either because they expect to feed their baby equally alongside their partner, or perhaps because they feel a pang of jealousy at this unique bond they witness every day. Those feelings are theirs to work through. They are absolutely able to play an active role in supporting their partner's breastfeeding journey. 

Here are some examples of things you can do:
- Taking charge of the mental load: laundry, shopping, tidying the house, administrative paperwork
- Massaging mum's back, shoulders and feet while she is breastfeeding or at other times
- Offering positive reinforcement: showing his partner how happy he is to see her flourishing in this way
- Learning to use an SNS (a supplemental nursing system, which allows milk to be given by means other than the breast) to give mum a break when needed
- Gathering contact details for relevant support people, doing an initial shortlist to identify who will best suit the family, and booking an appointment if needed
- Accompanying the new mother to appointments that require travel
- Being present and attentive at medical appointments, taking the time to ask questions
- Picking out the little things that will lift mum's spirits when she's feeling low: her favourite chocolate, a bunch of flowers, a box of Jolly Mama! snacks, bottles of vitamin-rich fruit/vegetable juices…
- Being enthusiastic about her efforts, compassionate in the face of challenges, and above all encouraging when it comes to breastfeeding
- Firmly turning away Great-Uncle Norbert, who sees fit to invite himself over for dinner
- Making sure mum is not worn out by unwanted visits, and kindly showing guests or family to the door

Breastfeeding is natural
 

Breastfeeding is both a natural and instinctive act, provided the mother is allowed to settle into the right conditions and is not bombarded with advice that is as plentiful as it is contradictory. A woman who has the opportunity to get comfortable will in all likelihood be able to see her baby without tension, and if left in peace, it will be surprising to see how attuned and even expert her movements are - that she is perfectly capable of starting and continuing her breastfeeding journey with minimal difficulties. The art of breastfeeding has been lost, they say. And yet I have the extraordinary privilege of witnessing every day just how intuitive mothers are, and how perfectly their instincts guide them.

Many myths persist around breastfeeding. Know that, except in exceptional cases, breastfeeding is entirely possible. Don't listen to preconceived ideas about breastfeeding — seek support from a specialist who can help guide you.