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Common Breastfeeding Myths and What Is Normal

NNova editorial team · 5 min read

Breastfeeding does not have to go perfectly from the start. Breast size, pump output, or early struggles do not alone mean breastfeeding will fail. Latch, the baby's growth, and the parent's comfort matter more.

Why breastfeeding myths stay around

Breastfeeding is a learned skill, and it takes time for many families to settle into a routine. That is when myths and extra worry tend to show up.

Common myths

  • Colostrum is too little, so the baby must be hungry
  • Small breasts cannot make enough milk
  • If it hurts, breastfeeding will not work
  • Formula is always more nourishing than breast milk
  • Pump output shows milk supply better than feeding does

What providers usually look at instead

  • The baby latches well, and you can hear swallowing during feeds
  • The baby seems calmer after feeds
  • There are enough wet diapers and stools for the baby's age
  • The baby gains weight along the expected growth curve
  • The parent has no severe pain, fever, or red, tender breast areas
Many providers note that the first few days of breastfeeding can be bumpy. This is common, and it often improves with small changes in position and latch. A lactation consultant can help with these changes.
Contact your baby's doctor or your OB-GYN right away if the baby has very few wet diapers, is unusually sleepy, has weak sucking, or is losing weight. Also contact your provider the same day if you have a fever, severe breast pain, or red, painful areas on your breast. Call 911 for emergencies such as trouble breathing or a baby who is hard to wake.

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General information only; it does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife.