Is Breastfeeding the Right Choice for You?

Before you make a choice about how to feed your baby, take a moment to get the facts. You may have heard some things about breastfeeding from your friends and family. You deserve to know the truth before you make such an important decision. Here are some common concerns many pregnant women have about breastfeeding.

1. MYTH: Breastfeeding is too time consuming,drain all of my energy out of me and i won't get much sleep.

TRUTH: Breastfeeding is actually less work. You don't have to spend time shopping for, mixing, or warming formula, or washing bottles and nipples. The truth is that caring for a newborn is tiring, and all new parents lose sleep. All babies feed at night, but breastfed babies cab be fed more quickly before both of you are very awake, which makes falling back asleep easier for both of you.

2. MYTH: My mother/sister/friend didn't have enough milk so maybe I won't either. My breasts are too small to breastfeed.

TRUTH: Each woman can make the amount of milk her own baby needs with the right information and support. You nurses and lactation consultants will tell you everything you neeed to know to fully breastfeed your baby. The size of you breast is based on how much fat is in them not their ability to make milk, size has no affect on how much milk you can make.

3. MYTH: My milk won't agree with my baby.

TRUTH: Each mother's milk is perfect for her own baby. Babies grow best, are the most healthy, and have fewer tummy problems when they drink their own mother's milk.

4. MYTH: My diet will be too restricted.

TRUTH: Breastfeeding moms usually can eat the same foods the ate when they were pregnant. Babies like the different tastes in breastmilk and later are more agreeable to the different tastes when solid food are introduced.

5. MYTH: I will lose my figure and get sagging breasts.

TRUTH: Sagging breasts are caused by pregnancy and loss of muscle tone as you get older. The extra caloreis you use while breasting feeding actually help you to lose weight. Breastfeeding also decreases you risk of breast cancer.

6. MYTH: I have to return to work or school