World Breastfeeding Week 2023: In Points | 10 myths about breastfeeding you should be aware of
World Breastfeeding Week 2023: World Breastfeeding Week is an annually observed from August 1 to August 7 each year.
It is celebrated in over 120 countries around the world to raise awareness and promote the importance of breastfeeding for both mothers and infants.
This year's theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is "Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents".
The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) organises World Breastfeeding Week to advocate for the protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding worldwide.
The event brings together governments, health organizations, healthcare providers, and various stakeholders to promote breastfeeding as the most natural and beneficial way of nourishing infants.
Breastfeeding provides numerous health advantages for infants and plays a crucial role in fostering a supportive global culture that encourages and enables mothers to breastfeed their babies successfully.
• Myth: Breastfeeding is easy and natural.
Fact: This is one the most pervasive myths but this is not true as breastfeeding it's always easy. Many mothers face challenges several challenges
• Myth: Artificial milk is just as good as breast milk.
Fact: Breast milk is unique as it contains all the nutrients, antibodies that help protect against infections and diseases. Whereas Formula lacks the immunological benefits of breast milk
• Myth: Schedule breastfeeding should be followed
Fact: This common myth should not be applied as breastfeeding works best when done on-demand, allowing the baby to nurse whenever they show hunger cues.
• Myth: Breastfeeding causes sagging
Fact: Breastfeeding itself doesn't cause sagging. Hormonal changes by genetics, age, and pregnancy cause it
• Myth: Breastfeeding is not possible after surgery.
Fact: You should not worry as some women can still breastfeed successfully after the procedure, especially if the surgeon took care not to damage milk ducts and nerves.
• Myth: You can't get pregnant while breastfeeding.
Fact: Breastfeeding can suppress ovulation and menstruation, reducing the chances of pregnancy. However, some women can still ovulate and conceive while breastfeeding
• Myth: Breastfeeding is always painful.
Fact: While some discomfort or tenderness may occur but, breastfeeding should not be painful.
• Myth: Breastfeeding should be stopped when the baby starts teething.
Fact: Teething does not require stopping breastfeeding. Babies can safely nurse with teeth.
• Myth: All women can breastfeed
Fact: This is difficult to hear but this is the hard truth you need to know that not all women are able to breastfeed successfully.
• Myth: Many mothers can’t produce enough milk.
Fact: This common myth is absolutely wrong as almost all mothers can produce the right amount of milk for their babies.
- With inputs from agencies
