Tend and Befriend
Tend & Befriend – The Podcast for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond
Hosted by Deborah the Doula, a birth professional with over 20 years of experience, Tend & Befriend is your go-to source for evidence-based insights, real birth stories, and expert advice. After two decades in the birth world, I’ve learned a thing or two—and I want to make sure you have access to that knowledge.
Join me as we dive into the topics that matter most during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Whether you're preparing for labor, navigating new motherhood, or reflecting on your own birth journey, you'll find support, wisdom, and connection in every episode.
Let’s learn, laugh, and grow—together. 💛 Listen now!
Tend and Befriend
Struggling with Breastfeeding? Let’s Clear Up some of the Confusion
"Let us know what you think about this episode"
We dive deep into common breastfeeding misconceptions that leave mothers feeling confused and inadequate, providing evidence-based facts to empower new parents on their feeding journey. The episode tackles seven persistent myths about breastfeeding and offers practical guidance for navigating challenges with confidence.
• Breastfeeding is a learned skill, not an instinct – 92% of moms face challenges in the first week
• Breast size has absolutely no impact on milk production capacity
• Frequent feeding and cluster feeding are normal behaviors, not signs of insufficient milk supply
• C-section births present unique challenges but don't prevent successful breastfeeding
• While breast milk contains unique components, formula is a safe, healthy option for babies who need it
• Working mothers can continue breastfeeding through pumping, partial nursing, or adjusted feeding schedules
• Initial discomfort is common when breastfeeding begins, but persistent pain requires professional evaluation
If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or leave a review, and keep nurturing your beautiful journey of motherhood.
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Hey Mamas, you're listening to Tend and Befriend, a podcast about women's mental and physical health. This is Debra. I'm a mom of two, a labor and birth coach and birth advocate, a health professional, and today I'm your host. Let's dive into today's episode. Any information you hear or that is suggested or recommended on these episodes is not medical advice.
Speaker 1:Today we're diving into the world of breastfeeding myths. There are so many misconceptions out there that can leave mom feeling confused or inadequate. Let's bust some of the big ones so that you can feed your baby with some confidence. Let's start with a big one. There's this pervasive myth that breastfeeding is an instinct, that all moms and babies just know how to do it. And really the reality is that breastfeeding is a learned skill on both of your parts. In fact, a study published in Pediatrics found that 92% of new moms face breastfeeding challenges in the very first week. Issues like latching problems, sore nipples, low milk supply are common, but they're not insurmountable. The key to finding breastfeeding easier, better or more natural is support from lactation consultants, doulas or even an experienced friend. So if you're struggling, it doesn't mean you're failing. It means that you're learning.
Speaker 1:Another breastfeeding myth is that you can't breastfeed if you have small breasts. Here's one that I hear a lot. I have small breasts, so I probably won't be able to make enough milk. Let's just put that to rest. The size of your breasts has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with how much milk you can produce. Milk supply is determined by glandular tissue, not the size of your breasts. Small breasts are just as capable of feeding a baby that is large as the larger ones. In fact, milk production is all about supply and demand. The more your baby nurses, the more milk your body will make. So don't let this myth shake your confidence. Small boobs, big boobs they're all magic when it comes to nourishing your little one. The next myth is if your baby feeds often, that means you're not producing enough milk. Newborns have tiny stomachs about the size of a cherry. In the first few days they need to feed often to stay full and signal your body to produce milk Cluster. Feeding those periods when your baby seems to be nursing nonstop is completely normal and actually helps establish your milk supply. A study in the Journal of Human Lactation shows that frequent nursing doesn't mean low supply. It's simply how newborns grow and thrive. So if your baby wants to nurse every hour, trust your body and go with it.
Speaker 1:The next myth is a really good one you can't breastfeed if you have a C-section or have had a C-section. Some moms worry that a cesarean birth will make breastfeeding impossible, and while a C-section can present unique challenges like delayed milk production or discomfort from the incision, it absolutely doesn't mean you can't breastfeed. Skin to skin contact as soon as possible after delivery can help get breastfeeding started, even in the operating room. And if your milk takes a little longer to come in colostrum, that nutrient-packed golden milk is all that your baby needs in the first few days. So don't hesitate to ask for extra support from your hospital's lactation consultant to get that moving. What we are finding more and more in hospital births and with cesarean births is that bringing someone in to help you in the recovery room whether that's a friend or a doula or a lactation consultant that you bring in for just you can be really, really beneficial for cesarean birth, because there's someone to absolutely put baby to breast, even if mom is not capable of holding or helping.
Speaker 1:This one is formula is just as good as breast milk, or that breast milk is better than formula. And this is such a sensitive topic, and let me be clear. Formula is a safe and healthy option for families who need or choose it, but breast milk can be uniquely designed for your baby, containing antibodies, enzymes and hormones that formula simply can't replicate. According to the World Health Organization, breast milk provides lifelong health benefits for both mom and baby, including reduced risk of infections, allergies and chronic conditions. That said, this isn't about guilt. It's about empowering you with the information. Whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding or doing both, you're feeding your baby with love, and that's what matters most. Fed is best, not that breast is best Fed A happy, fed baby is best. It's best for you, best for baby, best for your family life.
Speaker 1:Myth number six you have to stop breastfeeding when you go back to work. Returning to work doesn't mean your breastfeeding journey is over. Pumping at work is a great way to maintain your milk supply and provide breast milk for your baby while you're apart, especially now. Many workplaces are legally required to provide time and space for pumping, so be sure to find out about that when you're pregnant and to advocate for that for yourself once you're postpartum. If pumping isn't an option, that's okay too. You can nurse your baby before and after work, and your body and your baby will adjust to the new routine. Remember that every drop of breast milk counts, whether you're nursing full-time or just supplementing.
Speaker 1:The next myth is breastfeeding shouldn't hurt. Let's talk about the pain of breastfeeding. There's this idea that if breastfeeding hurts, you're doing it wrong. While pain isn't normal long term, it's common in the early days as your nipples adjust and your baby learns to latch. Proper positioning and latch techniques can make a big difference, and nipple creams or shields can provide relief while you heal.
Speaker 1:If pain persists, this is very important. Reach out to a lactation consultant and they can specifically identify issues like tongue ties or latch problems and help you find solutions as to why that pain is continuous or is happening. But typically we've seen that it shouldn't hurt for more than a few seconds. If it hurts for any longer than that, it's a sign that something is incorrect. And that's it for today's episode of T and befriend. I hope busting these breastfeeding myths helps you feel more confident and informed on your feeding journey. Remember whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding or doing a combination, you're doing an amazing job nourishing your baby. Now, if you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or leave a review, and until next time, take care and keep nurturing that beautiful journey of motherhood. Talk to you soon. Talk to you soon. Okay, let's talk soon.
