Although the encouragement of breastfeeding begins in the maternity ward, in the first minutes of the baby's life, it is known that it is still necessary to solve different myths and truths about breastfeeding in order for it to be potentiated.

One realizes, for example, that doubts still surround this maternal journey according to data from the 2019 National Infant Feeding Survey. According to the survey, the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children under six months of age is only 45.8% in Brazil.

Thus, although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation is that children should be breastfed until they are two years old, only 43.6% of Brazilian children are being breastfed by the end of their first year of life.

With data below what would be the ideal scenario, we know that correct information on the subject is fundamental to change it. Not by chance, the theme chosen for the national campaign for the Golden August this year is: "Strengthen breastfeeding: educating and supporting".

With this in mind, we have gathered the main myths and truths surrounding breastfeeding and brought together experts to solve them. Check it out!

Read more: Breastfeeding and breast cancer: understand the relationship

1. you should use vegetable scrub to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding

Myth! According to pediatrician Patrícia Terrível, member of the Breastfeeding Department of the São Paulo Pediatric Society (SPSP), there is no need to shave the beak of the breast to prepare it for breastfeeding.

Pediatrician Luciane Valdez, from Hospital Otorrinos Curitiba, explains that, due to the fragility of the breast skin during pregnancy, the vegetable snack can even cause breast fissures, "which ends up making breastfeeding painful and more difficult," adds the specialist.

Read more: Questions about breastfeeding: experts r espond to the main

2. sunbathing the breasts helps with breastfeeding

True! In short, the practice helps to prevent breast cracking as well as breast candidiasis. However, care must be taken to choose the best times to do this: "The ideal is a ten to 15-minute sunbath every day: before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m.", Luciane advises.

According to the pediatrician at Hospital Otorrinos Curitiba, the mother figure can start with shorter periods of sun exposure and go on increasing as the pregnancy advances. However, one should be aware that the practice should be suspended in case the skin presents any alterations that are not as expected.

Read more: Cross Breastfeeding: See why the practice is harmful to the baby

3. myths and truths about breastfeeding: using cabbage leaves on the breasts helps with breast engorgement

True! In a previous interview with Vitat, Cinthia Calsinski, an obstetric nurse and breastfeeding consultant, explains that the cabbage leaf helps with breast engorgement because it has important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components, such as indoles, bioflavonoids, and genistein.

"Thus, when they come into contact with the breasts, they act on the pain resulting from the increased pressure within the alveoli and the unpleasant sensations of the overly full breast," details the specialist.

In addition, if it is used iced, it ends up acting as a cold compress. This way, the item causes a vasoconstriction in the area, i.e., reduces the diameter of the blood vessels and, consequently, decreases the blood flow in the area as well as improves the lymphatic drainage in the area and reduces breast swelling.

Read more: Mastitis: what it is, symptoms, treatment and how to avoid it

4. Drinking black beer increases breast milk production

Myth! Besides not being true, the ingestion of alcoholic beverages during breastfeeding is not recommended by experts, because the alcohol present in the drinks tends to reach the baby through breastfeeding and cause damage to the child's development.

According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatrics, the amount of alcohol that goes to the little one is directly related to the dose that the mother consumes of the alcoholic beverage. Therefore, the less it is ingested, the less time it takes to be eliminated by the organism.

Thus, if the mother decides to consume a glass of wine or a glass of beer, for example, it is important that the baby is not on exclusive breastfeeding - which happens during its first six months of life. In addition, the mother figure should wait at least two hours before feeding after drinking.

Read more: Alcohol in the cold is not a good strategy to warm up the body: from kidneys to skin, find out 7 harms of consumption

5. eating hominy increases the production of breast milk

Myth! As with other foods, such as oatmeal, there is no scientific proof that eating hominy increases milk production. Currently, what is known is that the idea is based on the popular belief that, because the food is high in calories, it would give the mother more energy and, as a result, she would be able to feed more often.

Read more: 6 questions about donating breast milk answered by experts

Myths and truths about breastfeeding: so, what really increases breast milk production?

According to Patrícia: "the secret to increase milk production is to put the child to breastfeed", because the more the baby stimulates the breasts, the more they produce food.

Combined with this, it is indicated that the mother takes care of her own health to encourage breastfeeding. Therefore, a balanced diet is recommended among carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, besides plenty of water. According to Luciane, one should drink three to four liters of liquid per day.

Sources:

• Dr. Patrícia Terrível, pediatrician and member of the Breastfeeding Department of the São Paulo Pediatric Society (SPSP);
• Dr. Luciane Valdez, pediatrician at Hospital Otorrinos Curitiba.

References:

United Nations - Brazil

Virtual Health Library - Ministry of Health