Hello everyone, and welcome to this new video. Today we’re going to talk about a topic that’s unfortunately surrounded by many myths: breastfeeding. So today, we’re going to analyze 10 myths to help you sort out the truth from the falsehoods so you can enjoy this stage with confidence. Remember, knowledge is success.

I think we’ve all heard the popular saying that you are what you eat, and so it’s logical to think that drinking a lot of milk allows us to produce more milk. Furthermore, atole contains a lot of sugar and calories, so it should be great for producing milk with lots of energy, but this is false. The reality is that milk production is primarily based on the baby’s demand and suckling.

So, I’ll leave you with this tip: The greater the suckling, the greater the production. The more you breastfeed, the more milk you’ll produce, and there are no magic foods that do it on their own. My recommendation would be to breastfeed more often and for longer, on demand. Let the baby decide when they’re full; don’t stop before then. Breastfeed day and night. The best thing for your health and that of your baby is to eat a balanced diet.

Many mothers think that perhaps because they are used to eating a lot of chili peppers, their milk becomes irritating, or perhaps their baby is allergic to their milk because they always have colic or refuse to breastfeed.

Remember that breast milk is the perfect food for your baby. Even if you eat a lot of chili peppers, lemon, or other irritants, your body breaks them down and converts them into various nutrients. And if you are also eating a balanced diet and don’t have serious infections, your milk will always be safe for your baby.

There are certain cases in which the baby is allergic to cow’s milk protein, which can enter breast milk. It can cause symptoms such as bloody stools, vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, irritability, or even respiratory problems.

If these symptoms occur, it is important to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis. If necessary, the mother should eliminate this protein from her diet. Incidentally, it is not only found in milk but is often added to many other foods.

When we’re in highly stressful situations, our body secretes a hormone called cortisol. It’s also called the stress hormone because it prepares our body to defend itself, whether it’s fighting or fleeing, and obviously, no one wants their baby to be flooded with these hormones.

Studies have shown that a mother with high levels of stress produces milk with elevated levels of cortisol, but we’re talking about women who have been living in fear for their lives for many years, and because of this, their bodies are completely flooded with cortisol.

If you constantly fear for your life, please seek help. You shouldn’t expose yourself or your baby to risks.

Now, if for some reason you had a severe scare today, your body will produce cortisol, but it will send it to your muscles and organs, not directly to your breasts. Your baby will most likely become more stressed because you refused to give him milk that day, which could stress him out a little bit. So don’t worry, a bad moment doesn’t change what’s in your heart.

Some mothers may worry because after just a couple of weeks they notice their milk is lighter in color and think there’s no point in continuing, but here’s another tip: It’s very common for breastfeeding milk to be lighter in color at first, then whiter, and finally more yellowish because it contains more fat.

So it’s worth being patient and allowing it to continue flowing. Furthermore, breast milk is dynamic. It changes and adapts to your baby’s needs regardless of age or how long you’ve been breastfeeding.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, then gradually introducing new foods, and continuing breastfeeding until the age of 2, or whenever mother and baby decide. This provides benefits for both mother and baby.

It’s normal to feel some discomfort at first, especially when your baby is learning to breastfeed, but breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt. If you experience pain, it’s important to check your baby’s position or consult a specialist to avoid problems such as cracked or breast infections.

Don’t worry if you’re told you have to sit in a certain way while breastfeeding. The truth is, almost any position that makes you comfortable and your baby has a good latch is fine.

I’d like to take this opportunity to point out that it’s not necessary to wash your breasts frequently; on the contrary, you could end up drying them out and causing irritation. In general, you just need to continue with your daily hygiene routine.

If your baby starts biting you, there’s no need to wean them. You just need to teach them that biting isn’t okay. If they bite you, don’t laugh or yell at them; just stop breastfeeding momentarily and try giving them a cold teether or rubbing their gums lightly. If your nipple is torn or cracked, my first suspicion would be that the baby isn’t getting a good latch. By a good latch, I mean that his mouth should be fully open, completely enveloping the nipple and much of the areola.

First and foremost, we want to avoid crushing the nipple against the hard palate.

This myth is partly true and partly false. It’s true that breast milk contains antibodies that help protect the baby, but it’s false that this replaces vaccines. Vaccines are essential for preventing serious diseases and giving your baby more complete protection.

Breastfeeding and vaccines go hand in hand; they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, it has been found that breastfeeding before and after receiving a vaccine helps reduce the baby’s pain and discomfort.

I’d like to clarify that this also applies to the mother’s vaccines. You should get the vaccines you’re due, except for smallpox and yellow fever. These are restricted from being given until the baby is between 6 and 9 months old.

Many women think they should stop breastfeeding if they become pregnant. This is another myth that has some truth and some falsehood. For the vast majority of women, this is false, and they can continue breastfeeding without affecting their baby, the pregnant woman, or their own health.

In what cases is this true? Well, there are very specific cases, particularly if the mother has had high-risk pregnancies or losses due to cervical insufficiency, in which it is recommended to stop breastfeeding to reduce the risk of uterine contractions.

However, it is best to see a doctor as soon as you find out about the pregnancy. Your obstetrician should evaluate your case and make the most appropriate recommendation.

Many medications are completely safe to take while breastfeeding, especially those available over the counter. In any case, I recommend visiting the e-Lactancia website. Here you can find information on the compatibility of medications and various products with breastfeeding.

If your medication is incompatible with breastfeeding, consult your doctor. The same applies to prescription medications. It is essential that you speak to your doctor and inform them that you are pregnant or breastfeeding. They will likely be able to write a prescription for safe options for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

This is another worrying myth. If you’re sick, in most cases you can continue breastfeeding. In fact, when your body is fighting an infection, you produce antibodies in your milk that will help protect your baby from the same illness.

The only specific cases in which you should stop breastfeeding are patients with HIV or those undergoing treatment for cancer or leukemia. Again, if you have any questions about specific medications, it’s best to consult your doctor.

One of the most common myths that most distresses mothers is a lack of milk. It’s completely normal to wonder, but rest assured, no matter the shape or size of your breasts, most women have enough milk to breastfeed their baby.

Even if your breast empties quickly, that only means it will refill quickly. Remember that breast milk is produced on demand. The more you breastfeed, the more milk you’ll produce.

Thinking you have little milk is very subjective, especially since some babies tend to lose slightly in the first 10 days. So, how can we know if they’re getting enough milk?

• First, they shouldn’t lose more than 10% of their weight in those first 10 days.
• Second, in theory, a single dirty diaper on the first day is enough. In the following days, they should soil their diapers more frequently, and within a week, we expect them to pee about six times a day and poop about three times a day.
• And of course, monitor your baby’s mood. If he’s calm, has a good color, and responds to stimuli, everything should be fine.

And there you have 10 myths about breastfeeding. I hope this video has helped clear up many of your doubts and help you feel more secure and confident in this wonderful experience. Remember that every mother and every baby are different, and the most important thing is that you and your baby are well, happy, and healthy.

If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like it, subscribe to the channel, and share it with other mothers. See you in the next video. See you soon.