Do people make mountains out of your little molehills, saying your baby won't get enough milk from them? Been told that your baby's crying out of hunger even after she's been fed? M&B gets you the experts' knowledge to quash all these old wives' tales. We asked Dr Satish Gupta, a member of the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, to give

Words: Subarna Ghosh
Visuals: Mother & Baby Picture Library

MYTH 1
Small breasts produce less milk
All breasts contain the same number of lactation glands, that are responsible for producing milk. The size of the breast depends on the fat content and does not control the amount of milk produced. So, the size of breast does not determine ability to breastfeed at all. Dr Gupta avers, “Even undernourished mothers with little or no breast fat and small breasts produce enough milk to feed their infants optimally.”

MYTH 2
During illness, the mother should not breastfeed
A mother can breastfeed during illness and medication does not interfere in feeding. Whether it is common cold, diarrhea, typhoid or jaundice, you can continue to feed. For serious illnesses like cancer or AIDS, consult a healthcare expert. According to Dr Gupta, “The only absolute contra-indications to breastfeeding are - a mother using Ergot preparation, Lithium, anti-cancer drugs, and Radiation (REAL).

MYTH 3
Pregnant mothers should not breastfeed
Unless there is a chance of premature delivery, you can continue to breastfeed. This does not harm the baby in the womb and is known as tandem feeding. Dr Gupta says, “A mother can breastfeed her toddler right into advanced stage of pregnancy and then continue to feed the older sibling along with the newborn, ensuring however, that the newborn receives her/his optimum share of breastmilk, and the older one takes enough complementary food along with breastmilk.

MYTH 4
A crying baby means breastmilk is not enough
If your child wets himself six to seven times in a day, it is a sign that he is getting enough milk. Reasons for crying may be cold, wetness, warmth, pain, fever or just demand for attention. The amount of milk in breast is always enough, the baby may not be getting it due to improper way of latching on, which the mother has to be taught. Dr Gupta explains: “Babies cry for several reasons, and inadequacy of breastmilk could be one of them, which needs to be investigated through history and examination. If indeed all other causes are excluded and breastmilk appears to be inadequate, then the mother should be counselled to feed the baby in a correct position, and on demand, and as frequently and as long as the baby desires. Night feeding is especially important to ensure adequacy of milk supply.”

MYTH 5
A flat or inverted nipple does not allow breastfeeding
The baby latches on to the breast and not the nipple though a prominent nipple may help the process. Aids like nipple shields are not required once the baby gets into the habit, though this may take a few weeks. The mother can then successfully breastfeed for as long as she chooses. Elaborates Dr Gupta, “Flat nipples do not pose a problem to breastfeeding as the baby forms a teat with the nipple and the areola, and indeed the milk sinuses are located beneath the areola which the baby 'milks out' with the tongue. Inverted nipples may however require to be 'pulled out' with an inverted syringe several times a day, even before the baby is delivered, to prepare breasts for feeding the newborn.”

MYTH 6
Babies with diarrhoea should not be breastfed
This is not true as breastmilk can be the best remedy for infections. Also, no other fluid is required to prevent dehydration. Dr Gupta says: “Babies with diarrhoea should continue to be breastfed as breastmilk provides water and nourishment, thereby offsetting dehydration and malnutrition. Besides, sick babies generally refuse all other foods except breastmilk.