There is so much misinformation out there about breastfeeding.  Below are the myths that I hear most often from my peers and family.

1. Myth: You have to toughen your nipples to prepare them for breastfeeding. Reality: This is false and possibly painful! A woman’s body is perfectly suited to breastfeed a baby with zero preparation.
2. Myth: Breastfeeding hurts.  Reality: If you are in pain during or after breastfeeding, this most likely means that the baby is not latched on (attached to the breast) correctly and/or has improper sucking techniques. See a lactation consultant or call La Leche League immediately. You can also go here for some instructional videos on proper latch.
3. Myth: You won’t produce enough milk.  Reality: Milk production is based on supply and demand. The more your baby breastfeeds, the more milk you will produce. As your baby breastfeeds less, your milk production will decrease.
4. Myth: You can’t tell if your baby is eating enough.  Reality: This is a variation of “How do you know how much your baby eats?” If your newborn has 5-6 wet disposable (or 6-8 really wet cloth) diapers and is gaining weight, as determined by your doctor, s/he is getting enough to eat. Babies, unlike when mommy reaches for another bowl of ice cream, eat when they are hungry, and stop when they are full!
5. Myth: You can’t breastfeed if you have inverted/flat nipples. Reality: I am living proof that this is false! With the help of a nipple shield, I was able to breastfeed my daughter from the beginning (after a rough start) and have her completely weaned off the shield, and nursing without it, by six weeks.
6. Myth: You can tell how much milk your baby gets by how much milk you can pump.  Reality: Babies are the ultimate breast pump! They can extract milk like no machine can. In addition, stress hormones can inhibit milk ejection, so if you are in a time constraint, upset, etc, your milk may not let down and/or flow as quickly as it would if you were nursing your baby.
7. Myth: Nursing moms need to follow a special diet.  Reality: There is no evidence that supports the notion that nursing mothers should avoid spicy, strong tasting, or similar foods. In fact, breastfed infants more readily adapt to new foods since the flavor of breast milk constantly changes as a result of the mother’s diet.
8. Myth: Babies don’t need to be breastfeed past 6/9/12 months. Reality: Babies continue to benefit from breastfeeding until they wean. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding “for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child…There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding” and the World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond.