10 Breastfeeding Facts You've Probably Never Heard Before

I remember when I started researching pregnancy and breastfeeding, I came across so much information. It wasn't until I had some practice or even years later that I learnt some things which most people don't tell you about.

1. Breastfed babies drink the same amount of milk per day from 4-6 weeks old to 6+ months old

The composition of breastmilk changes from feeding to feeding to meet baby's needs. A breastfed baby will always need around 740 ml of breastmilk per day until they start solids.

In fact, your breastmilk changes constantly to provide exactly the right immune boosters and mood enhancers for your baby. From detecting illness and creating antibodies to fight that illness, through to melatonin in night time breastmilk to help baby learn to sleep at night time, your breast milk is the ultimate customised superfood for your baby.

2. Breastfeeding has a calming effect on BOTH mum and baby

One of the key hormones released in your body during breastfeeding is oxytocin, otherwise known as the love hormone.

Oxytocin may also help lift your mood and reduce anxiety. It may have such a calming effect that it can make you feel drowsy at night time and make it easier to drift back to sleep after breastfeeding (so never breastfeed on the couch at night time!).

3. Most mothers produce more milk in their right breast, regardless of which hand you write with

Scientists have no idea why, but most mothers (around 70%) make more milk in their right breast, while the left is lazy.

4. Being able to nurse your baby to sleep is AMAZING.

After stressing over whether nursing your first baby to sleep was a bad thing, you'll feel cheated if your second doesn't. It is, hand's down, nature's best system for calming and relaxing an upset baby. Don't worry, they do grow out of it when they're ready, but it can make life so much easier.

5. Breast refusal is more devastating than being dumped by your first teenage crush.

After dreading every feed in the initial weeks, you may find yourself desperately trying to trick your baby into feeding if you go through a stage of breast refusal. This can be caused by many things, such as ear ache or teething, or it can be a developmental stage. If you're not sure what is going on please see a lactation consultant to help troubleshoot and get you back on track.

6. Your baby will know when he's ready for a feed. Breastfeeding doesn't work well with scheduling

Even if you offered to nurse 5 minutes ago, she will decide when she's hungry. And which side she wants. Apparently this is good for self-regulating their appetite and avoiding obesity later in life. It can be incredibly inconvenient though. Even more so when your adorable baby starts teething and will only feed lying down on a bed!

Making sure your wardrobe is breastfeeding friendly makes it easier to whip it out whenever you need. If it is a hot day or if your baby is going through a growth spurt, or teething, or just needing comfort, then you might find yourself breastfeeding for most of the day for a few days before things go back to 'normal'.

7. Breastfeeding a teething baby can really hurt.

Honestly, that first time she chomps down can be toe curlingly painful. Whatever you do, don't pull away as it can cause more damage. Luckily you still get an oxytocin rush, and this stage is short. 

8. Coffee and wine can impact your babies sleep.

But you won't mind because of the oxytocin... Actually this is complete bollocks. If you have a caffeine-sensitive baby you have my deepest sympathy. As a coffee addict this is truly my least favourite part of breastfeeding. The only silver lining is that as they get older, babies are better able to process caffeine and so will become less sensitive. After the first six months it gets better... mostly.

9. Breastfeeding and co-sleeping go together like wine & cheese

It's hard to avoid, and statistically happens to 80%* of all parents in the first six months, so make sure you've read up on the safe co-sleeping guidelines and you have a safe sleeping space before it happens (intentionally or not!). By the time my second baby came along, I didn't bother trying to do anything else. Life is so much easier if you can co-sleep!

10. Breastfeeding will create some of your most beautiful memories

Watching your newborn crawl to find the breast and having their first breastfeed after birth. Your baby falling asleep on the breast, and then using it as a pillow. The milk-drunk smile of a newborn. Healing your child's hurts with a breastfeed. Milky snuggles with just the two of you in the dark of the night. Breastfeeding first thing in the morning as you snuggle in bed. Beautiful moments in time that pass oh so quickly!

What are some things you've discovered about breastfeeding that you didn't expect??

Sources:

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/breastfeed...

Original citation: Rigda RS, McMillen IC, Buckley P 2000, Bed sharing patterns in a cohort of Australian infants during the first six months after birth, J. Paediatr Child Health 36: 117-121