Training of Roma Health Mediators in Reproductive Health

Trainer document
MYTHS ABOUT BREASTFEEDING
Myth: "You have to drink a lot of milk to produce more milk."
Fact: It is not true. Any type of food and fluids taken in by the mother in adequate
quantity is sufficient to produce milk. The production of breast milk is not dependent on
the milk intake by the mother. The baby's suckling on the breast is also important, "more
suckling- more milk."
Myth: "Small breasts will not produce enough milk."
Fact: Being able to breastfeed successfully does not depend on the size of the woman’s
breast. The size of the breasts depends upon the fatty tissue layer under the skin. Special
sacs in the breast, which are present in all women, produce breast milk.
Myth: "You have to stop eating certain foods during breastfeeding."
Fact: The woman can continue eating most of her favorite foods during breastfeeding.
Though some people report problems with different food, many others don't have any
problems with the same kind of food. If the woman is worried about a particular food, she
may eat a small amount each time and see whether it causes any problem to her baby. If it
really bothers her baby every time she eats it, she should quit eating this food.
Myth: "Working with cold water will affect the milk supply."
Fact: This is not true. Some people believe that it may cause cold to the baby but it does
not.
Myth: "If you were not able to breastfeed your first baby, you won't be able to breastfeed
successfully this time."
Fact: Mothers can be successful in breastfeeding their babies even if they were not able
to breastfeed the first baby, so it is important to be confident.
Myth: "Mother's milk 'comes in' after three days."
Fact: One may say that it actually starts flowing freely by the third day but the yellowish
milk (colostrum) starts coming out as early as baby starts suckling and it is sufficient for
baby's demands for the first three days.
Myth: It is not practical to fully breastfeed the baby.
Fact: Once the mother has clearly understood the benefit for her baby and herself and she
is determined to fully breastfeed her baby, it is not difficult to do so.
Myth: If the mother fully or nearly fully breastfeeds her baby, she will become very
weak and malnourished.
Fact: If the mother clearly understands the dictum “feed the mother to feed the baby”
and takes a well balanced diet, she will remain healthy and successfully breastfeed her
baby.
161
RFHI/JSI Romania Training of RHMs in Reproductive Health Session 9: Breastfeeding