Myth: Eating a curry will give your baby an upset tummy.

Truth: This is an example of the typical nonsense nursing mothers will be told if you want to eat anything more adventurous than a piece of toast. The idea that certain spices or types of foods will bother your baby is a total myth. Breast milk is manufactured from the blood in your milk ducts. If you eat curry, your blood won’t taste like Indian food and neither will your milk.

Neither should gassy foods like beans cause your baby any discomfort.

Just eat a good balanced diet and a little bit of what you fancy and remember to drink lots of water.

Myth: You shouldn’t breastfeed after you’ve been drinking alcohol.

Truth: Alcohol does make its way into breast milk in small amounts. If you want your milk to be totally clear, wait for about 2 to 3 hours after drinking alcohol before feeding your baby. However, babies are only really affected if you have drunk a lot and so there’s no real evidence that you need to avoid feeing your baby if you have only drunk a glass or two of wine.

If you have a special event you wish to attend, give your baby a good feed before you go out (leave a supply of breast milk in the fridge for while you are away), have any drinks at the beginning of the evening, move onto soft drinks later in the evening and then you will be ready to safely breastfeed when you get home.

Myth: You should avoid coffee while breastfeeding.

Truth: Some people worry that by drinking coffee it might keep their baby up at night. Whilst there are a few reports of restless babies improving when their coffee loving mums reduce their intake, in reality only a very small amount of caffeine actually reaches the milk (below 1% of what you drink).

Myth: Do I need to give my baby extra feeds of water or fruit juices as well as breastfeeds?

Truth: Your baby does not need any other food or drink for the first six months of life. If the weather is hot, just dress the baby in a vest and feed more often, as the baby demands. Breast milk is mostly made up of water so the baby will not become dehydrated. Introducing water or juices is not necessary during this period and the use of teats could confuse a breastfed baby (the sucking pattern is totally different to that of teat feeding).
From six months onwards you should still offer the breast after each mixed feed and you will find that this is all that your baby will need. If you leave a drink for your baby then you can use a cup from six months, thus avoiding bottles altogether.

Myth: Can I combine breast and bottle.

Truth: In the six weeks when establishing your milk supply you shouldn’t give your baby a bottle or express milk. The less your baby feeds at the breast, the less milk you make. The maximum health benefits come with exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. In reality this is not always possible so after six weeks you can express milk or give formula occasionally – your baby will still benefit from the antibodies that protect against infection.

Myth: You should always feed from both breasts.

Truth: This is not necessary and can lead to the baby taking too much foremilk from each breast and not enough hind milk. The first part of each feed is watery and quenches your baby’s thirst. This is referred to as ‘foremilk’. The second part of the feed is more creamy and higher in calories. This satisfies your baby’s need for calories and is referred to as ‘hind milk’.

It is always better to complete one breast at a time so that the maximum amount of calories and nutrients are absorbed and your breasts are properly emptied. This will avoid the risk of blocked ducts for mum and lead to a more contented baby. Your breasts will not become lop-sided and your milk supply will be maintained.

Myth: Short feeds will leave your baby hungry.

Truth: This is also not the case and I always tell new mums to throw away the clock as the timing of feeds gives little clue as to how much milk your baby is taking. Once your milk supply has been established, your ‘let-down’ will be so efficient that a baby can take a large feed in a few minutes. However, at other times, when the baby knows he needs to boost milk supplies, he may want to feed for hours at a time. This too is perfectly OK. Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand and this delicate balance can only be achieved if breastfeeding is baby-led. It really is that simple!

Myth: If I breastfeed it will act as a contraceptive.

Truth: Although this cannot be guaranteed, breastfeeding generally delays the return of menstruation and hence fertility.

Myth: Is it true that Breastfeeding helps you to get your figure back?

Truth: While you were pregnant, your body laid down extra fat stores to prepare for feeding your baby (this is why women that bottle-feed find it harder to loose their pregnancy-gained weight). This will gradually be used up over the first six months of breastfeeding. This means that, even though you can eat and drink pretty much what you want (within reason!) you should still have lost the weight you gained during pregnancy. This has got to be a bonus! However, this does not mean that you will suddenly become a size 10, if you started out as a size 14 when you became pregnant!

Myth: Crushed cabbage leaves stuffed into your bra can help with engorged breasts.

Truth: There are many products now available to relieve sore breasts including gel pads that can be cooled or warmed, creams and/or dressings. However, I still swear by the humble cabbage leaf straight from the fridge. It should be scored (to release the natural healing properties) and it fits neatly inside your bra to give instant relief!