World Breastfeeding Week 2025 Blog 7: Dispelling Myths around Breastfeeding

To mark World Breastfeeding Week 2025, Debra Hennessy IBCLC at Family Nursing and Home Care (FNHC), and Deborah McCoy Certified Breastfeeding Specialist Midwife at Health Care Jersey (HCJ), have collaborated on a series of Blogs to celebrate the week.

Blog 7 – Dispelling Myths around Breastfeeding

Advice around breastfeeding is readily available from many sources. Advice often comes from the internet, family members or friends. However, the information is not always accurate, and many “old wives’ tales” and myths still exist. This blog aims to dispel the myths surrounding breastfeeding.

MYTH: Breastfeeding is easy

Babies are born with the ability to suck and root for their mother’s breast. However, mothers often need support, especially in the early days after birth, with position and attachment ensuring their baby is correctly attached at the breast. Breastfeeding is a skill that can take time to establish for both mothers and babies. Breastfeeding can be time consuming, therefore new parents need time and good support to help them navigate the first few days and weeks of their feeding journey.

MYTH: It’s usual for breastfeeding to hurt, sore nipples are inevitable!

Some mothers do experience some tenderness and damage to nipples in the first few days as they start breastfeeding. Early help with position and attachment at the breast from your midwife, midwifery support worker or health visitor should enable sustained breastfeeding which is comfortable for the mother ensuring effective milk transfer for the baby. Further advice can also be sought from a lactation consultant or infant feeding specialist midwife for ongoing care and support.

MYTH: You should wash your nipples before breastfeeding

 Your nipples have a unique smell that your baby instinctively recognises, this smell also helps your baby seek out the nipple to feed. Washing your nipples and breasts washes away this smell and the friendly bacteria that is also present which helps in building the baby’s own antibodies for protection against infection and disease.

MYTH: You should only eat plain foods when breastfeeding

 When breastfeeding, mothers need to eat a well-balanced diet, there are no foods that cannot be consumed by the mother unless of course she has a food allergy to that particular food. Babies are exposed to their mother’s food preferences as they develop in the uterus, and they also gain exposure to what their mother eats through breastmilk. Therefore, there is no need to change eating habits.

MYTH: You won’t be able to breastfeed unless you do it straight away

Breastfeeding is encouraged as soon after birth as possible when baby is enjoying skin to skin time with its mother. Babies’ instinct to feed is strongest at this time and they will be ready to learn to feed at the breast. Sometimes circumstances can prevent early feeding or even skin to skin contact but support from your midwife or infant feeding specialist can be given to ensure skin to skin and breastfeeding can start as soon as possible when the time is right for both mother and baby. Thereafter, frequent skin to skin and putting your baby to the breast will help to establish breastfeeding.

MYTH: You shouldn’t breastfeed if you are sick

 In most cases mothers can continue to breastfeed as normal. It is important that you seek medical advice about your illness ensuring you get the right treatment and that you, if able, are eating and drinking and getting plenty of rest.  Antibodies that you make to fight off illness or disease will pass onto your baby helping them to build their own antibody defences

MYTH: You can’t take any medication if you are breastfeeding

Your midwife, infant feeding specialist, lactation consultant or general practitioner will be able to advise you on medications and breastfeeding. There is also information available from The Breastfeeding Network and other credible sources that your infant feeding specialist will be able to access. In some cases, an alternative medication maybe necessary to ensure you can breastfeed safely.

MYTH: Colostrum can’t be enough for my newborn baby.

 Colostrum is produced from around 16-18 weeks of pregnancy. It is usually yellow in colour and thick and sticky in consistency. It is very easy to digest and contains the correct nutrients and protective factors that your baby needs, making it the perfect first food. Colostrum is concentrated so babies only need small quantities in the first few days following birth, your baby will take around 5mls (a teaspoon) of colostrum each time they feed. Giving your baby colostrum will also help to regulate their blood sugar levels.

MYTH: Babies who have been breastfed are clingy

 It is important to remember that all babies are different, and some babies will be a little clingier, no matter how they are fed. Keeping your baby close and responsively breastfeeding not only gives your baby the best nutrition but it is also important to support healthy brain development and bonding.

MYTH: My breasts feel empty; therefore, I can’t have any milk

After the initial first few weeks of breastfeeding when breasts have felt very full and sometimes engorged, your milk supply starts to regulate and your breasts will begin to feel less full, soft or even empty at times. This is quite normal, it doesn’t mean your milk supply has dropped, but in fact your body has cleverly worked out how much to produce for your baby and is not producing too much. Steady weight gain and lots of wet and dirty nappies are also confirmation that your baby is getting plenty of milk from your breast. If you concerned please always ask your midwife, infant feeding specialist health visitor or lactation consultant.