Mother sitting on a sofa and breastfeeding her newborn baby

8 Breastfeeding Myths Debunked

Breastfeeding is natural and has been part of the human experience since we've been around, but that doesn't mean everything is understood about it. A lot of myths about breastfeeding persist, despite being not quite right or altogether false. This can leave new parents confused or unsure of the best way to go about feeding their baby. Let's debunk some breastfeeding myths right here and now.

  1. Breast Milk is Just Food
    It's true that breast milk (and/or formula) is your baby's sole nutrition for the first few months of their life, but it's so much more than just food! Research has shown that breastfeeding lowers the risk of some diseases and builds up their immune system. The very first milk they receive from you, colostrum, is FULL of antibodies, and your breast milk will continue to give your baby antibodies that can help them resist illness and infection.1
  2. Breastfeeding is Just For Baby
    Breastfeeding has benefits beyond feeding baby, there are positive effects for mom as well. Breastfeeding releases hormones like oxytocin, which promotes bonding and helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size. It has also been associated with lowering the mother's risk of breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, and postpartum depression.2
  3. You Won't Be Able to Breastfeed if You Don’t Start Right Away
    Beginning to nurse right away (within the first hour of birth, usually) can help establish you and your baby's routine and your milk supply, but breastfeeding immediately isn't always possible. Many moms begin breastfeeding days or even weeks later due to complications, C-sections, or NICU stays. With the right support and tools like pumping, skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding-friendly baby bottles, breastfeeding can still be successfully established.
  4. You Have to Eliminate a Lot of Things From Your Diet
    It’s important for mom to have a balanced, nutritious diet. There's really no need to change eating habits unless baby has been diagnosed with a specific allergy. There's no need to avoid spicy food or garlic, and caffeine is even fine in moderation. Having one alcoholic drink in a day has also not been found to be harmful to baby. Generally, it's best not to drink, but if you do have a drink, it's recommended to wait at least 2 hours before nursing.3
  5. You Should Stop Breastfeeding if You or Baby Are Sick
    No! Certified Lactation Consultant Terressa Patterson recommends continuing to breastfeed while you and/or baby is sick, "Breastfeeding is crucial for sick babies as breast milk provides vital nutrients and antibodies that can help them recover faster. Nurse frequently to keep your baby hydrated and comforted." Breast milk is complex and changes according to baby's needs. When you or they are sick, your milk will produce more antibodies to help them get better.4
  6. You Can't Take Any Medicine if You're Breastfeeding
    Many medicines and medications are safe to take while breastfeeding. It's important to take everything according to the recommended dosage and under the supervision of a physician. If you aren't sure about the safety of a certain drug, consult your doctor.
  7. Pain During Breastfeeding Is Normal
    There can be some breast pain at the beginning of breastfeeding when you and baby are still figuring out latching, but pain during breastfeeding should not be a continuous feeling. Once baby is able to properly latch and your nipples have become used to the stimulation, breastfeeding should not hurt. Improper positioning and latch are the most common causes of pain during breastfeeding.5 If you are experiencing ongoing pain from breastfeeding, it's important to talk to your physician or a certified lactation consultant.
  8. Breastfeeding Is Easy
    Nursing may come easily for some moms, but that isn't the most common experience! Despite breastfeeding being a very natural act, it takes most people some trial and error to get it right. Challenges like latching difficulties, nipple pain, and worries about not producing enough milk are very common, especially in the first few weeks. Breastfeeding is physically (and often emotionally) demanding, and many new parents benefit from the help of professionals like doctors and lactation consultants, or even community support from friends, family, or online groups.

DISCLAIMER: THIS CONTENT DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely solely on this information. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider.

Sources

  1. McCarthy, Claire MD, FAAD. Healthychildren.org. "Breastfeeding Benefits Your Babys's Immune System." 30 August 2023. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Breastfeeding-Benefits-Your-Babys-Immune-System.aspx
  2. Ranadip Chowdhury, Bireshwar Sinha, Mari Jeeva Sankar, Sunita Taneja, Nita Bhandari, Nigel Rollins, Rajiv Bahl, Jose Martines. Acta Pædiatrica. "Breastfeeding and maternal health outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis." December 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26172878/
  3. CDC. "Breastfeeding special circumstances: Alcohol." 26 February 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/vaccine-medication-drugs/alcohol.html
  4. Patterson, Terressa RN BSN MS IBCLC. Sweetie Pie. "Breastfeeding Your Baby While They are Sick: An Expert guide." 27 June 2024. https://sweetiepieorganics.com/blogs/blog/breastfeeding-baby-while-they-are-sick-expert-guide
  5. The Breastfeeding Network. "Pain: if breastfeeding hurts." Last updated January 2025. https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastfeeding-information/problems-with-breastfeeding/pain-if-breastfeeding-hurts/

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