Does breast size affect milk production? Gynaecologist busts 6 breastfeeding myths
Are breastfeeding myths making you doubt your individual functionality as a mom? A gynaecologist shares myths vs info each new mother should know.
The World Breastfeeding Week 2025 theme ‘Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Help Programs’, stresses on not simply on consciousness however on motion. It’s a reminder that breastfeeding success is just not merely a results of a mom’s will, but additionally concerning the high quality of accessible assist. This assist additionally interprets into embracing info over breastfeeding myths. In response to a senior gynaecologist, social delusion, absence of systemic assist, and misinformation can lead even essentially the most dedicated moms to doubt themselves.
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Charulata Bansal shares with Well being Pictures, among the most typical myths about breastfeeding that proceed to be handed down one era after one other.
Breastfeeding Fantasy: “If I don’t lactate instantly after start, I gained’t be capable to breastfeed.”
Truth: Late lactogenesis is regular and never failure. The Indian Council of Medical Analysis (ICMR) and World Well being Group state that colostrum, the preliminary milk kind, is secreted in small quantities and adequate for a new child’s necessities for the preliminary days. Mature milk often begins on day 3–5 after supply, as per research. Rooming-in and early feeding within the preliminary hour of start strongly enhances long-term lactation outcomes. ICMR advises onset of breastfeeding inside 1 hour of supply and unique feeding for six months.
Breastfeeding Fantasy: “Small breasts can’t produce sufficient milk.”
Truth: Milk manufacturing is decided by purposeful breast tissue, not by breast dimension. Research carried out and printed within the Indian Journal of Paediatrics confirm that breast dimension has no correlation with lactation capability. Milk is a supply-demand system the extra the infant sucks, the extra milk is generated. As per a research carried out by the Nationwide Institute of Vitamin, greater than 85% of moms have been able to producing sufficient milk no matter breast or physique kind after they have been taught correct feeding methods.
Breastfeeding Fantasy: “You must observe a particular weight loss plan to breastfeed.”
Truth: A nutritious, selfmade Indian weight loss plan sometimes gives for lactation necessities. ICMR’s Nutrient Necessities for Indians suggests an additional 500 energy a day for lactating ladies. Fluids, iron, calcium, and protein are important, however there is no such thing as a proof that almost all meals “spoil” milk except an allergy is detected within the toddler. Spices equivalent to jeera (cumin) and ajwain (carom seeds), generally included in Indian diets through the postpartum interval, could also be useful for digestion however usually are not medically essential.
Breastfeeding Fantasy: “You shouldn’t breastfeed in case you’re sick.”
Truth: In most diseases, continued breastfeeding will safeguard your toddler. Antibodies within the breast milk assist develop the immunity of the toddler. WHO and ICMR advocate that even throughout delicate infections equivalent to chilly, flu, or fever, feeding ought to be continued with easy hygienic precautions. There are some exceptions, as an illustration, if the mom is on particular drugs or has energetic TB or HIV, search recommendation from a well being care supplier for particular recommendation.
Breastfeeding Fantasy: “If my child cries usually, it means I’m not producing sufficient milk.”
Truth: Crying is just not at all times linked to starvation. In response to Unicef and ICMR paediatric panels, starvation is only one of many causes infants cry. Examine for weight achieve and moist diapers no less than 6–8 moist nappies per day point out ample milk consumption. Development spurts, occurring at 7–10 days, 2–3 weeks, or 6 weeks, might result in momentary irritability and cluster feeding. Fairly than switching to formulation instantly, increase with feedings and search the help of a lactation guide.
Breastfeeding Fantasy: “System is simply pretty much as good as breast milk.”
Truth: Though formulation is appropriate, when essential, breast milk continues to be the perfect selection. ICMR information signifies that unique breastfeeding can decrease toddler deaths by 13% in India and reduces the dangers of diarrhoea, pneumonia, and allergy symptoms. Breast milk additionally adjusts in response to the dietary necessities of the infant, versus formulation. Breastfeeding additionally results in larger IQ scores and lowers the danger of weight problems and kind 2 diabetes later in life.
By debunking breastfeeding myths, the trouble is to get rid of stigma and normalize the difficulties ladies might face throughout this journey.
