Myths About Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not only good for infants. Mothers will benefit from this practice as well. But before we go to that, let's take a look at some of the myths about breast¬feeding that persist to this day.
First and foremost among these is the belief that breastfeeding will cause breast cancer. Some women are reluctant to nurse their babies thinking that they will acquire this dreaded disease later. The truth is, this belief has no scientific basis.
"The serious charge that breastfeeding increases a woman's chance of developing cancer of the breast is absolutely untrue. Extensive studies have shown that breastfeeding mothers do not get any more cancers of the breast than bottle-feeding mothers. Therefore, fear of contracting cancer is no reason not to breastfeed," according to Dr. Myron Winick in The Columbia Encyclopedia of Nutrition.
Neither is there any truth in the belief that breastfeeding will deform the breasts or cause them to sag. Winick, director of the Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University College of Physicians, said no responsible study has demonstrated this.
Milk production is not related to breast size but it is stimulated by repeated suckling. The more you breastfeed, the more milk is produced regardless of the size of the breasts.
"Some people have said that women with small breasts may not be able to nurse their infant adequately. Ability to nurse does not depend on breast size. With few exceptions, every woman has more than enough active breast tissue to nurse her infant adequately," Winick explained.
The only ones who can't breastfeed are those who take medicines that may affect children. Even then, there are exceptions to the rule.
"There are very few physical conditions that would make breastfeeding inadvisable. If a woman has a condition for which a drug is prescribed, she should ask her physician or pharmacist whether the drug(s) in question are transferred to breast milk or will have an effect on the baby. Maternal medication is not necessarily a reason to discontinue breastfeeding if the physician can determine the degree to which the medication enters breast milk," said Dr. Susan Baker of the Boston Children's Hospital in Parents' Guide to Nutrition.
So you see, there's really no reason why you shouldn't breastfeed your baby. On the contrary, there's a lot to be gained from this practice.
More benefits of breastfeeding in the fourth part of our series. To strengthen your body, take Immunitril - your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.
Related Tags: immunity, breastfeeding, immunitril
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Current Affairs Articles - Obama on Ground Zero Mosque: Rights for Muslims, Tough Luck for Americans
Only a few short months after snubbing the National Day of Prayer President Obama continued his war - Spiritual Articles - After Armageddon
When we look back through the smoke filled skies of a nuclear winter where all is gone except the fe - Current Affairs Articles - America and the Doctrine of the Last Chance
The History Channel cooks up a nice pot of Nostradamus and eschatological soup with their multi epis - Video Games Articles - A better way to get the most value for your used games.
As players, we usually trade-in our used games in store (Gamestop/EB) and buy used ones from them. - Business Articles - Know About Different Benefits of Sharepoint Administration
Share-point is a platform where people can work together very easily. By using sharepoint administra - Current Affairs Articles - Obama Courts Latino Votes at Arizona's Expense
Every time the President speaks, makes another appointment or ramrods a new bill through the democra - Spiritual Articles - Are You Religious Bigot? Take the Quiz!
This quiz is for fun, and although some of the questions will make you stop and think, please don't - Import - Export Articles - How to get Windows XP driver updates-5
Getting driver updates for an individual's laptop or computer with Windows XP operating system const - World News Articles - HGH Facts - Health benefits and also Side Effects for HGH
Human growth hormone is really a normal occurring hormone that's made within the body which controls - World News Articles - Finding A Thinning Hair Treatment That Works
Trying to acquisition a abrasion beard analysis that re-grows new affection beard is appropriate up
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Doughnut Hole Expected to Grow
A recent report in the USA Today, reported that the gap in the current Medicare coverage commonly re - Human Globalization
Activity in the sense, the central component of globe, we humans have been showing activeness bo - Writing Abilities Development
It has been proved that writing abilities can be developed together with inspiration. A thought - Snowboarding Tricks 101
I like the floating feeling you get on quarterpipes, it feels like you're hanging in the air and you - Russian Expansion To The Middle East
The period of the Cold War created an excellent opportunity to expand Soviet Union influence. On - Girl Tattoos Tell You Lots About The Girl
How often, when admiring girl tattoos have you said - It suits you? It happens a lot with girls - How to support charities In your Local Area By Getting Involved
Charities are created to help people find ways of dealing with situations that can't be solved i - Christian Sex - 7 Barriers to Fulfilling Married Sexuality
Many Christian married couples have yet to experience a fulfilling sexuality. Yet, it is an essent - Tales of New York
A Bronx Tale deals with bringing up children in a big city, dangers of gangster life, and stereo - Universal Civilization
Early civilizations of the world were divided and isolated by geographical locations and boundar