Gas, coffee and sleep: 8 myths about breastfeeding that every mother must know

About 92% of women giving birth in Israel start breastfeeding already in the hospital, but despite the high initiation rate, exclusive breastfeeding drops rapidly already during the first weeks and months after birth.

This is according to an Israeli study published in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, which found that although most mothers start breastfeeding, only about 58% continue exclusive breastfeeding at the age of two months, and only about 20% at the age of six months – far below the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. The researchers point out that one of the main factors for early termination is the difficulty in dealing with the challenges of breastfeeding and the lack of sufficient professional support.

Babies suffer from a phenomenon called “colic” that usually begins in the first weeks of their lives and may last until the age of 3-4 months. The phenomenon occurs in babies all over the world, regardless of whether they are breastfed or formula fed, and regardless of the mother’s diet. The stomach pains characteristic of colic usually appear at certain hours of the day. The hypothesis is that “colic” is caused by the immaturity of the large intestine, which causes a reaction of involuntary contractions that cause pain.

Please note that babies born to mothers in other parts of the world whose diet is completely different from ours and does not include foods or ingredients that are considered in Israel to cause “gas” suffer from this phenomenon. Even swallowing air does not cause colic. Breastfed babies do not swallow air while sucking and yet suffer from the phenomenon. In many cases, breastfeeding reduces the colic phenomenon because breastfeeding causes muscle relaxation, which includes the relaxation of the intestinal muscles and the breastfeeding position, helps with gentle local heating of the abdominal area, which also contributes to muscle relaxation and pain reduction.

The World Health Organization and other organizations recommend breastfeeding up to two years of age and beyond, depending on the family’s decision. Breast milk adjusts its composition to the baby’s age and needs. For example, breast milk produced by a premature mother differs in composition from milk produced by a mother for a baby born on time. The type of protein in the mother’s milk varies according to the baby’s needs and even the type of fat present in the milk varies according to the mother’s diet. Even after one year of age, breast milk is produced in accordance with the nutritional needs of the toddler.

It is important to remember that breastfeeding is not only ‘food’, but also fulfills other needs of the baby/toddler such as warmth, security, a tool for calming and more. As long as breastfeeding is suitable for the mother, the baby and the family, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding the baby/toddler. Of course, it is recommended at this age to also combine diverse complementary foods in order to fulfill the needs of the toddler.

The transfer of antibodies through breast milk, which are produced according to the exposure of the mother and the baby or toddler to various pollutants, also helps beyond the age of one year to deal with various infections. Prolonged breastfeeding also contributes to the health of the mother – reducing the risk of breast cancer, reducing the risk of diabetes and more.

Babies need to eat and receive energy at all hours of the day, including at night, since their energy needs are high and occur at all hours of the day. Even babies who are fed from a bottle, mostly wake up to eat at night and sometimes parents who give formula are tempted to add porridge to try to prevent waking up at night, something that has not been proven to help.

The baby’s eating pattern depends on the child’s temperament. There are children who eat small amounts frequently and there are children who eat larger amounts less often. Both modes are normal. There are babies who breastfeed more frequently in the evening (“cluster feeding”) and then manage to maintain a longer gap between meals during the night and there are babies who do not eat in this way. All the baby’s eating patterns are normal. Sometimes it is recommended by various parties to stop breastfeeding at night, on the grounds that the child does not need it. At an age over one year/18 months, it is possible to check whether breastfeeding does not meet a nutritional need and adapt it to the needs of the baby and the family. Remember that breastfeeding at night has additional benefits such as: reducing the risk of cot death syndrome, providing warmth and security to the baby and more.

You can help the mother to rest by bringing the baby to the mother, helping to change diapers, helping with the extra household chores or helping to take care of the other children in the family and more. You should ask the mother what assistance would suit her.

Breast milk contains antibodies that are suitable for exposure of the mother and baby to bacteria and viruses. When the mother is sick, it is important to help the baby cope with the disease or reduce the risk of infection by actively transferring antibodies through breast milk, from the mother to the baby. It is important to breastfeed directly as opposed to giving pumped milk because with pumped milk, the baby will only receive antibodies to bacteria and viruses to which the mother has been exposed, while in direct breastfeeding, the mother’s body produces antibodies (through the transfer of saliva from the baby to the mother’s breast) also to viruses and bacteria to which the baby has been exposed. Along with this, in the case of a mother’s illness, it is necessary to make sure to use a mask and hand sanitizer frequently to reduce the risk of infection.

Breastfeeding adds 500-800 kcal a day to the daily caloric expenditure. This additional expenditure allows some breastfeeding mothers to lose weight faster. However, if we ask mothers whether breastfeeding really helped them lose weight, we often get a negative answer. Breastfeeding women are sometimes hungrier and eat more during the day both because of hormonal changes and because they are at home more. Sometimes due to lack of time, women eat more foods that are not are recommended and high in fats and sugars. Eating is sometimes used to prevent falling asleep at night. Hormonal changes that occur after giving birth affect the ability to lose weight, take care of a sensible diet and consult with a qualified nutritionist. Remember, many breastfeeding women report weight loss only after giving birth.

Postpartum depression is a condition that is affected by the levels of hormones after childbirth and is aggravated by fatigue. Breastfeeding releases a hormone called oxytocin, which improves the mood and enables a better coping with the birth of the baby.

At the same time, postpartum depression also exists in breastfeeding women and is sometimes aggravated by the fatigue and lack of sleep that exists after childbirth and especially in the first weeks after childbirth. Rarely, breastfeeding may cause an unpleasant feeling and sadness (a condition called DMER) and you can consult about this phenomenon with a lactation consultant. Try to rest as much as possible, try to use different support factors as much as possible and if you feel changes in mood, it is recommended to consult with the treating doctors, milk drop nurses and different support and treatment factors. Remember! Postpartum depression can appear up to a year after birth and is a treatable condition.

Many women who suffer from wounds and pain during the first breastfeeding period, hear from those around them “that breastfeeding hurts in the first period and the pain will pass when the child grows.” Breastfeeding pains are caused by improper posture and connection or the structure of the baby’s mouth. Breastfeeding should not be painful, but in the first weeks you may feel a pulling sensation of the nipple which is sometimes unpleasant. If you suffer from pain while breastfeeding, it is recommended that you seek the advice of a lactation consultant as soon as possible who will help to make the connection of the baby more accurate and, if necessary, refer to medical sources for further treatment.

Breastfeeding depends on the mother and the new baby, it depends a lot on the frequency and duration of feeding, good adhesion and complete emptying of the breast. Studies have found a connection between the mother’s anxiety after giving birth and a decrease in breastfeeding confidence and breastfeeding performance. In addition, stress and anxiety after childbirth are linked to the mother’s lower self-efficacy and therefore to her lack of adherence to exclusive breastfeeding. From the combination of these data we can understand that there is a clear connection between stress and anxiety and the amount of milk the mother produces.

Many mothers are subjected to environmental pressure around breastfeeding. Various statements such as “he is not eating enough”, “your milk is not nutritious enough”, “if you give him a bottle he will sleep at night/ he will gain more weight/ you will have more time for yourself” and more, often reduce the mother’s confidence in breastfeeding and are myths that are not true. Find support factors you trust. You can also participate in breastfeeding support groups in your area, professionals, additional breastfeeding and supportive family members. If necessary, seek the advice of lactation consultants who will be able to help adjust breastfeeding to your needs and the needs of the baby based on facts.

Similar to the period of pregnancy, it is recommended for the nursing mother to reduce the amount of caffeine she consumes to an amount of up to 3-4 servings a day. Caffeine in large quantities is found in coffee, tea, energy drinks including cola drinks and chocolate. Caffeine passes through breast milk, accumulates in the baby’s body and causes (similar to its effect in large quantities in adults), restlessness in the baby and overstimulation.

The sucking reflex exists in babies and is designed to provide them with the appropriate nutrition, calming and security. The most appropriate means of fulfilling the baby’s need for a pacifier is breastfeeding, which fulfills all the baby’s basic needs.

The Ministry of Health recommends putting babies to sleep with a pacifier to reduce the risk of cot death after breastfeeding is established, however, in a breastfed baby, breastfeeding plays this role. Giving a pacifier early in a baby’s life can affect the sucking pattern because the baby learns to close his mouth instead of opening a large mouth for effective sucking. To the extent that a pacifier is possible, it is necessary to ensure optimal connection and attachment with an open mouth.  Another risk comes from giving a pacifier when the baby cries after a meal, thinking that the crying is due to stomach pain, fatigue, etc., while the baby is still hungry and would be happy to receive more food (unfortunately, this phenomenon occurs mainly in bottle-fed babies). To help you adapt the pacifier to the baby’s needs, in the first month it is recommended to give the baby a pacifier in the following situations – when changing the baby’s diaper and he is crying, crying when undressing the baby for a shower, while driving a car and when the mother has to be in the bathroom. The rest of the time it is recommended to use breastfeeding to fulfill the needs of the baby.

Breastfeeding is indeed the best nutrition for the baby. However, sometimes mothers do not want, can or do not prefer to breastfeed their baby fully. Remember that any amount of breast milk and any breastfeeding, whether the baby receives only the colostrum (primary milk) or whether you breastfeed partially or fully, breastfeeding and breast milk contribute to your health and the health of the baby.