Breastfeeding myths part 2.

6: Breastfeeding babies need extra vitamin D

Not true. Everyone needs vitamin D. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D particularly in countries where there is more cloud cover are often deficient in vitamin D. Formula has added at the factory but the baby is in fact born with the Liver full of vitamin D ultraviolet light exposure is not recommended for the baby the baby does not need an awful lot and can get this through mothers breast milk. If mum is low in vitamin D and she is supplementing herself the baby will get this through the breast milk vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and is stored in the body. If this is something that you are concerned about if you live in a very sunlight deficient country perhaps consider getting your own vitamin d levels checked.

7: Mother’s should wash their nipples each time before feeding the baby.

Not true. Formula feeding requires careful attention to cleanliness because formula not only does it not protect the baby against infection but it's actually a great breeding ground for bacteria and can also be easily contaminated. Breast milk on the other hand protects the baby against infection each feeling it unnecessarily complicates breastfeeding and is only washing away protective oil from the nipple.

8: Pumping is a good way of knowing how much milk the mother has.

Not true: how much milk can be pumped depends on many factors, including the mother's stress level. As a rule of thumb the baby who nurses well can get much more milk than his mother can pump. The only thing that pumping will tell you is how much volume you can pump.

9: Breast milk does not contain enough iron for your baby's needs.

Not true: Breast milk contains just enough iron for your baby's needs. If the baby is full term he will get enough iron from breast milk to last at least the first 6 months. Factory made Formula contain too much iron which is necessary to ensure that the baby absorbs enough iron from the formula this is because the ironing for me that is man-made and is often poorly absorbed absorbed if the baby poops out most of it.

10: It is easier to bottle-feed then breastfeed.

Not true: Research found the breast-feeding mothers actually get an extra hour more sleep than those who are formula or bottle feeding. If you or a friend are feeling that bottle feeding might be easier than breastfeeding perhaps it is just more support that is required. Breastfeeding can be made more difficult because women often do not receive the help that they should be getting to get started properly. A poor start with breastfeeding can indeed make it much more difficult but then the poor start can be overcome breastfeeding is often more difficult at first but usually becomes easier later just imagine, no sterilising no bottle washing no pumping no getting up in the middle of the night to go to the kitchen.

11: Breastfeeding ties the Mother Down.

This one is tricky but it depends on how you look at it. Well yes a baby cannot be nursed by anybody other than the mother a baby can be nursed anywhere, at any time, and thus breastfeeding can be liberating .No need to drag around bottles or formula. No need to worry about where to warm up the milk. No need to worry about sterilising equipment. No need to worry about how your baby is because he is with you.