 Let’s Play!Have you ever played the game “Two Truths and a Lie?” It goes like this: one person presents two facts that are true and one that is a lie, and the other person has to guess which item was the lie. The goal is to make all three pieces of information equally compelling and difficult to guess the lie. So get ready, and see if you can spot the lie! We at Metropolitan Breastfeeding will reveal the correct answer at the end of the post.
1. It takes an average of 30 minutes for your breasts to fill up with milk. After milk is removed from your breasts there is a period of time when the breasts must “refill” and this can take 30-60 minutes. 2. Breastfeeding has benefits beyond a year. A study done by Dewey in 2001 found that “Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins.” 3. The amount of milk you can pump is not reflective of your true supply. Some women do not respond well to pumps! It is possible to have a baby that is exclusively breastfeeding and gaining well with a mom who is unable to pump much at all. So which one is the lie??? What do you think? Scroll down for the answer! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Number one is the lie! Breasts do not “refill” the way you would refill a water jug that is empty. Milk production is “supply and demand,” so the more frequently you remove milk, the more frequently it is replaced. If you wait a long time to let your breasts “refill” you actually can risk lowering your supply by sending the message to your body that the production isn’t needed. Let us know if you got it right, on our Metropolitan Breastfeeding Facebook page!
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 October is breast cancer awareness month – but did you know that breastfeeding can actually reduce your risk of breast cancer? Did you know that some parents go on to breastfeed after breast cancer diagnoses? We’ve rounded up some of the best, most interesting breastfeeding & breast cancer facts in honor of the month:
Breastfeeding reduces your risk of breast cancer. Why? There are a couple of theories. One is that “women who breastfeed have fewer menstrual cycles throughout their lives, and therefore less exposure to estrogen, which has been shown to fuel some types of breast cancers.” “Another theory: Breastfeeding makes breast cells more resistant to mutations that can cause cancer.” Source: FitPregnancy Everything adds up. We tell families over and over that breastfeeding counts – even in small amounts. “In a study by the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, researchers found that for every 12 months a woman breastfed, her risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3%. It also found the 12-month time period could be with either one child or as the total for several children.” Source: MD Anderson You might not have to stop. Many times families fear they have to stop breastfeeding if they are undergoing treatment. Always check with your physician and resources like the Infant Risk Center. “You can still nurse if you are having radiation therapy, but having had radiation will limit milk production in the affected breast.” Source: BabyCenter Always ask for help! International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are specially trained and have experience in assisting breastfeeding families in all sorts of situations. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help! 301-943-9293 |
