--->Eating well has not been shown to make any difference to the milk
supply
>- quite the reverse (unless there are studies I don't know about). Giving
>mothers extra food made no difference to the growth of their babies. I
>don't know if anyone has actually looked at rest properly, or drinking,
>except that study that showed drinking lots and lots seemed to depress milk
>production (can't remember where/when that was, sorry).
I find that one of the most prevailing breastfeeding myths is that
breastfeeding success depends on quantity and quality of eating, and on
drinking enough. This is so prevalent that I sometimes wonder whether the
mothers I talk to about this actually believe it is NOT a major factor,
after hearing so much from their friends, relatives, neighbors, and yes,
health professionals, about what they should and should not eat while
breastfeeding.
It does make sense to suggest eating well, resting etc, for all of the
reasons that both Heather and Gonneke mentioned. However, because of this
prevailing myth, I usually don't bring up the subject of food and drink
except for very briefly (something like reminding the mother to make sure
she is eating and drinking... some suggestions for simple nutritious snacks
for new busy moms..) and this often opens up a discussion during which I can
help the mother put this common myth in its proper perspective.
Suggesting herbs, as well, should be presented as one of a variety of things
that can help, not something that will make or break any situation. The
mother will likely do better if she does not rely too heavily on any one
suggestion of ours, but rather finds the proper blend of our suggestions
that works for her.
Yael Wyshogrod IBCLC
Rechovot, Israel
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