Breastfeeding Myths Every New Mom Should Know (and My Real Experience)

 

Breastfeeding Myths Every New Mom Should Know (and My Real Experience)

Introduction
Breastfeeding is one of the most beautiful parts of motherhood — yet it often comes wrapped in myths, doubts, and endless advice from every direction.
When I became a mom, I realized that for every question I had, ten different people had ten different answers. Some were helpful, most were not.
So today, I want to share my real breastfeeding journey, bust some common myths, and give you the confidence to trust your body and your baby.

My Breastfeeding Journey

My breastfeeding journey started in the hospital. Honestly, it wasn’t easy. I still remember how awkward and uncomfortable it felt when the nurse tried to teach me how to latch my baby. Having strangers touch me so personally — apart from my husband — was embarrassing. Latching was a tough skill to master and required a lot of patience and practice.

But slowly, with time and self-learning, I found my rhythm. And that’s when I also started hearing the never-ending list of “breastfeeding rules” from relatives, friends, and even strangers.

Myths I Heard (and the Truth I Learned)

1. “Don’t breastfeed with wet hair.”

This is purely a cultural belief with no scientific backing. Breastfeeding has nothing to do with your hair being wet. Your baby won’t catch a cold from your hair — viruses cause colds, not dampness.

2. “Drink lots of milk to produce more milk.”

Truth: Your body produces breastmilk based on demand and supply. The more your baby feeds, the more milk your body will make. While staying hydrated is important, there’s no magic drink that guarantees more milk. I personally ate wholesome meals, seasonal fruits, and traditional snacks like gond and til ke laddus, and my milk supply was always sufficient.

3. “Avoid heavy foods like rajma, chhole, or cold foods.”

Truth: Unless your baby has a specific allergy or sensitivity (which is rare), you can enjoy all types of foods. I never restricted myself unnecessarily — I ate everything in moderation and my baby was absolutely fine.

4. “Your baby isn’t chubby, so your milk must not be enough.”

Truth: Not every healthy baby needs to be chubby. Weight is just one indicator — what’s more important is steady growth, alertness, and overall health.
Yes, sometimes I doubted myself when friends or relatives said, “Shayad iska pet nahi bharta”. But I learned to trust signs like wet diapers, baby’s energy levels, and his contentment after feeds.

5. “Don’t breastfeed if you’re sick.”

Truth: This is one of the most harmful myths. Most illnesses (like common cold or flu) don’t require stopping breastfeeding. In fact, your milk passes antibodies to your baby, boosting their immunity.
When I was sick, I fed my baby as usual — just wore a mask and maintained hygiene to avoid direct viral spread.

6. “You can’t travel easily if you’re breastfeeding.”

Truth: For me, breastfeeding made travel easier! We’ve done more than four outstation trips and countless outings. No packing bottles, no formula, no heating milk. Whether my baby was cranky, sleepy, or hungry — I could feed him anywhere, anytime.

The Soulful Side of Breastfeeding

Beyond nutrition, breastfeeding gave me countless heart-touching moments — the eye contact, the little hands playing with me, the calmness on his face as he drifted to sleep.
For me, breastfeeding was also the solution to 100 problems — teething pain, bad moods, sleepless nights, bad dreams — all solved with just one cuddle and feed.

It also saved me the stress (and money!) of preparing bottles or buying formula. And most importantly, it deepened my bond with my child in ways I can’t describe in words.

Science-Backed Benefits of Breastfeeding

  • Nutritionally perfect — Breastmilk changes composition to match your baby’s needs at every stage.

  • Immunity booster — Contains antibodies that protect your baby from illnesses.

  • Emotional security — The skin-to-skin contact soothes and comforts your baby.

  • Health benefits for mom — Reduces risk of certain cancers, helps the uterus return to pre-pregnancy size, and burns extra calories.

Final Words to New Moms

To all the beautiful mummas (and supportive dads) reading this — you are on the right path. Your milk is a miracle, made just for your baby. Don’t let myths, outdated beliefs, or unnecessary comparisons shake your confidence.

Breastfeeding is not just feeding — it’s nurturing, comforting, and bonding. Trust yourself, trust your baby, and enjoy this special phase.



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