Let’s dive into the world of breastfeeding myths and facts that are relevant to our journey. In this guide, we’ll unravel common misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding and shed light on the essential truths every Filipino mom should know. Let’s navigate through “breastfeeding myths and facts Philippines” to ensure a well-informed and empowered breastfeeding experience for you and your little one.
Breastfeeding myths and facts Philippines
As fun as it is to imagine a world in which every myth we’ve ever heard was factual, the truth is myths are simply ways to explain things in life that we don’t fully understand.
There are myths and erroneous explanations for pretty much anything you can think of. Yes, moms…even breastfeeding. In fact, there are a lot of purported facts out there whether through the internet or word of mouth. No matter the origin of these myths, they’re nothing more than–myths.
Today we’ll be taking a look at these superstitions, and old wives’ tales and debunking them in favor of the truth! We don’t claim to have the answers to all the important questions in life. But at least by the end of this article, you’ll have a better and more factual understanding of your milk supply, and nursing as a whole.
According to Mrs. Abbie Yabot, a certified lactation counselor, on Breast Friend: Tips on Breastfeeding webinar of theAsianparent Philippines,
“Ang breastfeed ay sobrang natural, lahat naman tayo are built for breastfeeding kaya nga tayo ginawa na may breast.
Ang pinakamagandang preparation talaga more than anything because it’s a natural response of our body is really to prepare our minds and our hearts and our bodies kasi medyo matinding puyatan ‘yong unang 6 weeks”
18 breastfeeding myths and facts in the Philippines
Here are the breastfeeding myths and facts in the Philippines you should know about.
1. There are certain food that will DEFINITELY affect your milk supply
Notice that the word being emphasized here is “definitely”. That’s because some foods do allegedly help some women increase their supply.
Experts like to call these types of foods “galactagogues“. However, the Australian Breastfeeding Association states that there just isn’t enough evidence to fully support these claims.
Albeit, there’s no harm done if you do choose to eat galactagogues, considering some women have claimed to see increased supply.
The safer, more reliable bet for increasing your breastmilk supply is to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle and diet.
Breastfeeding yths and facts in the Philippines
2. Breastfeeding myths and facts Philippines: Frequently nursing will drain you of your milk
In theory, it sounds like a logical claim. However, the human body isn’t well. Your body is capable of adapting, and when you constantly nurse your child, your body begins to compensate by producing more milk.
If you’re apprehensive about breastfeeding your child because you’re afraid you’ll run low, or run out…put that fear to rest. You’re more than capable of handling your baby’s insatiable appetite.
3. Breastfeeding myths Philippines: The amount of milk you pump is an accurate depiction of what you’re producing
The International Breastfeeding Center (IBC) claims that the amount of milk that you pump is indicative of only one thing: the amount of milk you’re pumping. “The baby who breastfeeds well can get much more milk than his mother can pump. Pumping only tells you to have much you can pump,” says the IBC.
4. Breastfeeding myths and facts Philippines: Women with smaller breasts have a lower supply
The amount of fatty tissue in a woman’s breast obviously determines the size of her breasts, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the amount of breastmilk that she is able to produce.
Smaller breasts have nothing to do with milk supply, Mrs. Abbie Yabot, a lactation counselor, cleared this misconception.
“Actually wala talagang kinalaman ang breast size wheather ikaw ay cup a cup c cup triple b wala silang kinalaman. Ang size ng breast natin, fat content ‘yan. So ang ating mga lactation modes ang ating mga milk producing cells they are all the same. Iba’t iba ang itsura hugis at laki, pero ang capability to produce milk is all the same depending on how often your baby latches and how many kids you have kahit quadruplets pwede pa din” She stated.
“Ang pag urong ng gatas o milk flow ay hindi yun dahil sa pagligo nyo ng hapon, pagtulog nyo ng nakataas ang kamay.
Para talaga lumabas ang gatas kailangan talaga si baby ay mag suck. Alam mo walang pump at walang klasing supplements kailangan may mag-latch na bata para lumabas ‘yong gatas kailangan talaga tuloy-tuloy na pagsususo si baby.
Magconcentrate ka sa pag-latch ‘pag nahihirapan ka hanap ka ng tulong sa isang professional.” Mrs. Abbie Yabot added
The amount of milk you produce is usually determined by how much your baby nurses. The more the baby feeds, the more milk your breasts make claims Baby Center.
5. Breastfeeding myths Philippines: Having a low supply is very common
The IBC claims that this breastfeeding myth is simply not true. “The vast majority of women produce more than enough milk,” says the IBC. “Indeed, an overabundance of milk is common.”
If women are concerned that their baby is not getting enough milk, usually the reason comes from poor latching and they should monitor their baby’s feeding accordingly.
6. Nursing moms should drink more fluids to increase their supply
William Sears, MD, of AskDrSears.com, claims that “Drinking more water than you need won’t produce more milk. In fact, by a strange biochemical quirk, forcing fluids has been shown to diminish milk production.”
Sears suggests that,
“While you are breastfeeding you should drink extra water, but you don’t need to overdo it. Drink enough water to quench your thirst plus a bit more, since thirst is not a completely reliable indicator of fluid needs.”
Abbie Yabot also stated that,
“Pag nag over consume ng water, humihina rin ang inyong milk supply kasi bloated ang pakiramdam and anything na hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ni mommy affected talaga yung milk supply.”
Bbreastfeeding myths and facts in the Philippines
7. If your breasts feel lighter/less full, your supply is low
Renee Kam, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), says that if your breasts feel lighter, it’s typically a good thing. Kam says,
“[I]t’s perfectly normal for your breasts to feel soft and comfortable. This is because the amount of milk you make by this time will be in sync with the amount of milk your baby will be drinking,”
“While breastfeeding, a mother’s breasts are never fully empty,” she adds. In other words, moms, have no fear! It’s totally normal.
8. You should separate a newborn and mother to let the mother rest.
Doctors, nurses, and midwives often encourage the practice of ‘skin-to-skin’ – also known as kangaroo mother care – immediately after birth.
Bringing your baby in direct contact, so their skin is against yours, is a very important practice that helps them to find and attach to the breast.
If you can practice this within one hour after birth and then frequently after, it helps to establish breastfeeding. If the mother cannot do this, then the partner or another family member can step in.
9. You should only eat plain food while breastfeeding.
Like everybody else, breastfeeding mothers need to eat a balanced diet. In general, there is no need to change food habits. Babies are exposed to their mothers’ food preferences from the time they are in the womb. If a mother perceives that her baby reacts to a specific food she eats, it is best to consult a specialist.
10. Exercise will affect the taste of your milk.
Exercise is healthy, also for breastfeeding mothers. There is no evidence that it affects the taste of your milk.
READ MORE:
5 healthy eating habits that benefit moms during breastfeeding and beyond
11. You won’t be able to breastfeed unless you do it straight away.
Breastfeeding myths and facts in the Philippines. | Image from iStock
It is easier to get breastfeeding started if you begin in the first hour after birth because a baby’s reflexes are very strong at that time. They are ready to learn to feed at the breast.
If you do not latch your baby right after birth, do it as soon as possible in your situation. If you need help putting your baby to the breast, ask for support from a qualified lactation consultant or other skilled professional. Frequent skin-to-skin contact and putting your baby to the breast will help to get breastfeeding going.
You can always do breastfeeding as long as you needed to.
According to Mrs. Abbie Yabot, a lactation counselor,
“The hormone that is produced during breastfeeding is oxytocin and oxytocin is also the same hormone produced during orgasm in sex.
Ano ‘yong tip jan, kung kayo ay allowed mag sex edi allowed din kayo mag breastfeed siyempre pareho lang siya.
‘Pag pinagbawal ka ni dok sa sex ay ‘wag ka na lang din munang mag-breastfeed ibig sabihin baka mahina ang kapit ni baby if you are in doubt contact a lactation professional.
Basta in general, kung wala namang naging problema sa prior pregnancies, basta allowed tayo mag sex, allowed din tayong mag breastfeed.”
12. You can never use formula if you want to breastfeed.
Mothers may decide they need to use the formula on some occasions while continuing to breastfeed. It is important to seek unbiased information on formulas and other products that replace breastmilk.
To keep breast milk production going, continue offering the breast to your baby as often as possible. It can be useful for mothers to consult a lactation specialist or skilled professional to help with a plan that works best for them to continue breastfeeding.
13. Many mothers can’t produce enough milk.
Breastfeeding myths and facts in the Philippines. | Image from iStock
Almost all mothers produce the right amount of milk for their babies. Breastmilk production is determined by how well the baby is latched on to the breast, the frequency of breastfeeding, and how well the baby is removing milk with each feeding.
Breastfeeding isn’t a ‘one woman’ job and mothers need support. Support like ongoing breastfeeding guidance from health care providers, help at home and staying healthy by eating and drinking well.
14. You shouldn’t breastfeed if you’re sick.
Depending on the kind of illness, mothers can usually continue breastfeeding when they’re sick. You need to make sure you get the right treatment, and to rest, eat and drink well.
In many cases, the antibodies your body makes to treat your disease or illness will pass on to your baby, building his or her own defenses.
15. You can’t take any medication if you’re breastfeeding.
It might be necessary to take medications at a specific time or in a specific dosage or to take an alternative formulation. You should also tell the baby’s doctor about any medications that you’re taking.
Once again, Mrs. Abbie Yabot, a lactation counselor, clearly said that this is a myth.
“Kahit ikaw ay umiinom ng gamot as long as you tell your doctor that you are breastfeeding, they will give you a breastfeeding safe medicine ”
“Nasa less than ten lang na medicines ang bawal sa breastfeeding” She added.
It’s important to inform your doctor that you are breastfeeding and to read the instructions with any medications you buy over the counter.
Breastfeeding myths and facts in the Philippines. | Image from iStock
16. Babies who have been breastfed are clingy.
All babies are different. Some are clingy and some are not, no matter how they are fed. Breastfeeding provides not only the best nutrition for infants, but is also important for their developing brains. Breastfed babies are held a lot and because of this, breastfeeding has been shown to enhance bonding with their mother.
17. It’s hard to wean a baby if you breastfeed for more than a year.
There’s no evidence that it is more difficult to stop breastfeeding after one year, but there is evidence that breastfeeding up to two years is beneficial for both mothers and children. All mothers and babies are different and need to determine together how long they want to breastfeed.
18. If you go back to work, you’ll have to wean your baby.
Many mothers continue breastfeeding after going back to work. First, check the policies in your country and your own workplace. If you have the right to time and a place to breastfeed during working hours, you may be able to go home and breastfeed.
Ask a family member or friend to bring your baby to you, or to express your milk and take it home. If you don’t have the option to breastfeed during working hours, look for moments during the day to express your milk and then feed your baby directly when you are at home.
If you decide to give your baby a breastmilk substitute for some feeds, it is still very good to continue breastfeeding whenever you are with your baby.
Moms, navigating the world of breastfeeding can be both exciting and challenging. By dispelling myths and embracing facts tailored to our Filipino context, we empower ourselves to make informed choices for our babies. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and seeking support is as crucial as understanding the facts. Here’s to a harmonious and fulfilling breastfeeding experience for you and your little one!
This article was based on a post originally shared by Romper
Additional report from Alyssa Wijangco
Updates by Jobelle Macayan