Breastfeeding: Myths and realities about this special experience

This is a belief we often hear. In fact, breastfeeding is a learning process, for both mother and child.

Right after delivery and for the first 48–72 hours, milk production consists of colostrum: a thick, yellowish substance. Full of protein, vitamins and minerals, colostrum is produced before the milk “comes in”, meaning the final or regular volume produced throughout breastfeeding. Colostrum provides the baby with white blood cells and antibodies, to help fight infections.

So, don’t be discouraged if the quantity produced at first doesn’t seem like much to you: colostrum has high nutritional content.

When it comes time to breastfeed, it is also crucial to take time to get yourself and your baby settled in, using a breastfeeding cushion if necessary. It’s important that you feel relaxed and comfortable: your baby senses your emotions, especially at such an intimate time, and will nurse better when things are calm.

This is a common concern for new moms and is completely understandable. In the first few days after childbirth, before the milk comes in, colostrum gives the baby everything they need, even if there doesn’t seem to be much of it. Then, once the milk comes in, the amount of milk produced increases significantly.

It can be reassuring to just watch your baby gain weight; on average they gain 25–30 grams a day until they turn 3 months old.

If you’re still worried in spite of good weight gain, you can look at the diapers you’re changing. There should be at least 5–6 “heavy” diapers (meaning urine-soaked) and 2–3 diapers with stools; their colour will range between mustard yellow and greenish-yellow. As well, your baby will have very distinct periods of wakefulness, another good indicator.

This is a widely held belief. Breastfeeding can be painful initially, often indicating that adjustments need to be made, once the cause has been identified. Potential causes include too much fatigue or stress, setting not calm enough, mother or baby in an uncomfortable position, frenulum too short (also known as tongue-tie), baby’s tongue in the wrong position and engorged breasts.

If pain persists even after making adjustments, there are solutions. For example, you can express your milk and give it in a bottle. And if breastfeeding gets too hard to handle, you can take a break. What matters is looking after your emotional wellbeing, and the mother-baby bond, which can be particularly fragile in the first few weeks. It is estimated that up to 20% of women (that’s 1 in 5) experience post-partum depression, also known as the baby blues. Difficulties related to breastfeeding are not the only cause, but it is important to remember that this is a vulnerable time for the mother. If you decide to stop breastfeeding, there’s nothing to feel guilty about.

We need to consider each of these claims one at a time, and in relation to the mother. You CAN work while breastfeeding. Some women choose to express their milk, being careful to follow the rules for storage (such as maintaining the cold chain), so their baby can be fed while they’re away. Others have the option to breastfeed on site or work from home. Nothing is impossible: what’s important is to arrange what’s best for you.

When it comes to taking medications while breastfeeding, your pharmacist is the key expert. They have the necessary tools to give you safe and accurate information; it’s essential to get their agreement to keep your baby healthy.

Some substances, such as alcohol, cannabis or illicit drugs, cross the blood-brain barrier (which protects the brain) and are harmful to the baby developing properly. They cause damage which is sometimes irreversible to the baby’s brain, which is still developing. Using them while breastfeeding is not advised.

Regarding physical exercise during breastfeeding, generally speaking, there’s nothing to stop you from keeping active, as long as you listen to your body and do not overdo it. It may be reassuring to seek advice from a specialist, such as a lactation consultant, midwife, family doctor or specialized nurse practitioner (SNP).

What about coffee? It’s not forbidden but, as with many foods, the key is moderation. If you have any questions, advice from a lactation consultant or nutritionist will help you feel relieved and calm.

This one is very persistent in the collective imagination. However, for most illnesses, it is neither necessary nor helpful to stop breastfeeding when you’re sick. In fact, the recommendation is that you continue.

Again, to confirm whether you should continue or stop breastfeeding, talk to a healthcare professional who can give you accurate advice: a lactation consultation, family doctor or SNP. For example, if you have a cold, continuing to breastfeed will provide the baby with antibodies; however, it is important to follow hygiene rules such as handwashing. For some infections, the treatment may not be compatible with breastfeeding; antibiotics are one example.