Whew! I’m at the 18-month mark! I thought this journey would have been over when little man turned 1 but he clearly has other plans for me LOL.

This Breastfeeding journey has really been a JOURNEY. I don’t know what I expected but I don’t think I expected to still be breastfeeding at 18-months.

To continue on reading this post you have to read The Pump Life | Pumping Struggles & The Pump Life | Elvie Pump Review (see below)

The Pump Life | Pumping Struggles

The Pump Life | Elvie Pump Review

I started off this journey exclusively pumping for the first 3-4 months. Around 4-months little man finally latched on the breast and never stopped. After he turned one, he was exclusively on the breast and did NOT want any more pumped milk. I thought that was a sign that our journey would end shortly but nope, I was lying to myself.

So, if any moms have any suggestions on how you weened your little one off, I will take them.

Did you know? Breastfeeding protects your baby from ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia and other childhood diseases.

But this post is all about the 5 breastfeeding myths that I have heard and did not apply to me.

So, without further due, here are some breastfeeding myths debunked. And let me know if you resonate with any of them.

1. If your baby doesn’t breastfeed in the first week, he probably never will

I though this was true. I even cried when my little one wasn’t latching and nothing was working. However, never say never! There is still time! In my case as you know, my baby didn’t start on the breast till he was around 4-months.

I know it is easier to get breastfeeding started if you begin in the first hour after birth because a baby’s reflexes are very strong at that time according to “experts”. But for moms like me, who had a preemie and was separated from baby for 24hrs after birth, I didn’t have that experience. So, don’t give up mama! If you want to breastfeed from the breast keep at it.

Did you know? The ‘first milk’ – or colostrum – is rich in antibodies and gives newborns an immunity boost while their own immune systems are still developing.

2. Breastfeeding helps with weight loss

In my experience, this is a HELL NO!! I actually gained weight. Now, some moms do swear by this but y’all for me, it’s a no! I gained weight because I was always hungry. I was always snacking while pumping and those late night feedings to keep from falling asleep and waking up to spilled milk, this mama was eating.

3. Pumping is a good way to know how much milk you have

I have to disagree with this one. When I pumped, I use to get so frustrated because I didn’t think it was enough and I wanted the excess milk that I saw other moms have with freezing their milk. But pumping does not empty your breast and you still have milk in your breast after pumping. SO, don’t be so hard on yourself like I was when I would only get an ounce in a pumping session.

Often, moms don’t produce the same amount of milk for the pump as they do for their actual nursing baby. Don’t get discouraged by a low pumped milk supply. I stopped worrying because my little one was gaining weight and had regular bowel movements.

4. You have to drink milk to make milk

I heard this one a lot. And coming from someone who doesn’t drink milk I thought this was true. So, to subsite I started having ice cream every day (hence the weight gain). It wasn’t until I asked my doctor and she said are you crazy?! I’m going to need you to stop having ice cream because that doesn’t help. What does actually help is hydrating your body, drinking water helps with keeping your body hydrated.  

5. Your period doesn’t come when your breastfeeding

This one is the myth that hurts the most. Your period absolutely comes back when you’re breastfeeding. My period came back 7-months postpartum.

Bonus

It’s natural so it’s easy

Breastfeeding is not always easy. It’s something that takes time to get use to and even when you become accustomed to a certain routine, it may change on you. It’s not always enjoyable or fun.

However, it does connect you with your child. Mothers are resilient and show so much strength. So, although this is a post about breastfeeding, it is also okay if you do not love breastfeeding and choose not to do it.

In the end, Fed Is Best!

If you are a mom, let me know some myths you have heard

Until the next post…

Signing Out,

Live with purpose, Love with passion, Laugh with pleasure

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