It’s true that breast milk is the ideal nutrition for a newborn, and breastfeeding offers a unique opportunity for mom and baby to bond. But do you know whether these other assertions about breastfeeding are true or false?
Breastfeeding moms should never drink.
False
A new mom can enjoy alcohol in moderation, if she drinks only after she breastfeeds. Women who have two or more drinks a day should not breastfeed.
Breastfeeding mothers lose their pregnancy weight faster.
True
After pregnancy, weight loss is enhanced because breastfeeding burns around 500 calories a day.
Breastfed babies are smarter.
True
Studies show that breastfed children have greater brain development than non-breastfed children.
Babies who breastfeed will never get sick.
False
Breastfed babies are less likely to have ear infections, allergies, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and stomach problems than babies who are formula-fed. When a breastfed baby does get sick, the illness is usually less severe.
Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of some cancers.
True
Mothers who breastfeed are at lower risk for pre-menopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer.
A mother with a tattoo or a nipple ring should not breastfeed.
False
A mother with a tattoo can breastfeed even if the tattoo is on her breast; the dyes used in tattoos do not affect breast milk. A nipple ring does not affect the quality or quantity of a mother’s milk, but nipple rings should be removed when breastfeeding to avoid a choking hazard for the baby.
Sources: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 2012 Breastfeeding Report Card; The US Dept. of Agriculture: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Peer Counseling Program
