Myths About Breastfeeding

After nine months of nourishing your baby in your womb, the next step is to continue nourishing your baby with your body - your breastmilk.

It is a fact that breastmilk is the ideal nourishment for your baby for the first six months of life. This will ensure healthy growth and development of your baby.

Your milk supply is determined mainly by supply and demand - the more you breastfeed, the more milk will flow. Conversely, the less you breastfeed, the less milk will flow. Aside from that, it is important to eat foods from all the food groups to maintain adequate lactation.

Just like pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers should eat a balanced and varied diet since breastfeeding requires extra calories. It is recommended that you should eat an extra 500 calories daily. A nursing/breastfeeding mother requires an additional amount of fluid (750-1000 ml or 3-4 glasses/day) to provide for milk secretion. To stay well hydrated, you should drink plenty of water (11-12 glasses per day). It is a good idea to make it a habit to drink during each nursing/breastfeeding. Practice a healthy lifestyle - engage in regular exercise, limit intake of caffeine & salt/sodium, and avoid smoking and alcohol.

There are many "myths" about foods that will increase a mother's milk supply or decrease it . In other words, are there any special foods to eat and to avoid while breastfeeding?

Here are some breastfeeding myths:

Will eating sour foods harm the infant?

No. What you eat will not usually harm your breastfed infant. You need to eat a wide variety of foods from all the food groups.

Will eating vegetables like malunggay leaves, gabi, kamote tops and kadyos cooked with coconut milk or gata stop the flow of mother's milk?

No. The combination will not stop milk flow. These vegetables are good sources of nutrients you need for good milk flow. The coconut milk, on the other hand, will give you energy which you need while breastfeeding. You need to eat these vegetables, with or with the coconut milk or gata.

Will certain foods like clams, whole milk and malunggay leaves increase milk flow?

Yes. These foods are good sources of calcium, a nutrient that stimulates milk flow. For good milk flow, you should eat a variety of foods everyday.

For more information on food and nutrition, call, write or visit the FNRI at the DOST Complex, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila. Direct Lines & Fax: 837-2934, 837-3164 & 837-6149. Website at: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.

S&T Media Service
FNRI-DOST Media Release for 2003