It is currently World Breastfeeding week (1st – 7th August) and while breastfeeding your baby does not work out for every mother, over 41% of infants, aged between 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed.
Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy , an expert in the field of breastfeeding has debunked some myths like you can’t drink alcohol or very commonly misunderstood - breastfeeding is easy.
We’ve all heard the odd myth surrounding breastfeeding, but are any of these true?
READ MORE: Mayo mum shares breastfeeding journey after struggling for two months
1. Breastfeeding is easy
It takes time, practice, and patience to get used to. Your midwife will be able to help you find the correct positioning for the baby while feeding and answer any other questions you may have.
2. You need to wash your nipples each time before a feed
Nipples are populated with bacteria that will help the baby develop an effective immune system, so you do not need to do this!
3. You shouldn’t take medication while breastfeeding
Medication should always be discussed with your GP and midwife, but in general commonly taken medicine like paracetamol and ibuprofen can be taken by the mother.
4. You can’t drink alcohol while breastfeeding
In moderation drinking alcohol is unlikely to do the baby any harm. It is recommended to not have more than 14 units a week, split over several different occasions.
5. The size of your breast indicate how successful breastfeeding will be
This is not true. Even smaller breasts can produce large amounts of breast milk. Your breast will enlarge with pregnancy, but the size says nothing about your success with breastfeeding.
Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy , teamed up with life insurance broker Reassured
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