By Ruth Maguire, Boobingit Founder & Breastfeeding Advocate
No sooner have you told people that you’re breastfeeding – or planning to breastfeed – that the breastfeeding myths start spreading! People love to share their ‘wisdom’ with you but the problem comes when they share outdated or inaccurate information about breastfeeding. Myths about breastfeeding can easily trickle down the generations, and whilst they may appear seemingly harmless to begin with they can actually be damaging in so far as they can potentially derail a person’s breastfeeding journey, or put them off breastfeeding in the first place.
So when it comes to breastfeeding information, how can you differentiate between what is true and what is false? Well, first-off make sure you get your breastfeeding information from trusted and reputable sources. Don’t depend on dear Aunt Sally or your favourite Instagram influencer for sharing accurate breastfeeding knowledge as the likelihood is they are only sharing their point of view and experience, which may well be skewed and biased in some way.
Don’t be afraid to conduct your own research and fact-check things for yourself. That way you can make informed decisions about breastfeeding, setting yourself up for a positive breastfeeding experience. To help you on your way to knowing your breastfeeding facts from fiction, I’ve compiled five common breastfeeding myths…and debunked them!
Myth 1: “Small breasts mean you won’t have much milk.”
Your cup size doesn’t determine supply. So that means being larger chested doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have a big milk supply, nor does being small chested mean you’ll have a low milk supply.
Milk supply is all about demand and supply, so the more you feed, the more milk you will make. Regular, effective milk removal is key. With the right support, positioning, and feeding frequency, most people can establish and maintain a healthy milk supply – regardless of breast size.
Myth 2: “Pain whilst breastfeeding is normal.”
Whilst a little discomfort may be considered ‘normal’ in the beginning as you learn to breastfeed your new baby, persistent pain is not normal and should not be accepted. Pain whilst breastfeeding is usually a sign that something isn’t right and adjustments need to be made.
Pay close attention to your baby’s latch and positioning in the first instance to ensure both you and baby are feeding comfortably and baby is well-attached to the breast and sucking effectively. There are lots of helpful videos on Youtube to help you with positioning and attachment. If pain persists it could be a sign of another issue – such as tongue tie. When in doubt, seek out advice and support from your midwife or a lactation expert who can do a proper infant feeding observation.
Myth 3: “You’re not making enough milk if your newborn is feeding a lot.”
Your baby feeding a lot in the early days can be exhausting but there isn’t anything wrong with you, your baby or your milk supply. In fact, frequent feeding – or cluster feeding as it’s often referred to – is perfectly normal and something to be expected! Your baby is growing fast and their stomachs are only small so they need feeding regularly. Cluster feeding is your baby’s way to help establish your milk supply.
Cluster feeding often happens in the evening and throughout the night so set yourself up for success by having things like water and snacks to hand so you can rehydrate and refuel. All that feeding takes a lot of energy! Make sure you rest throughout the day and ask for help when you need it. And remember, these intense night feeds do not last forever – you got this!
Read more about navigating night feeds here.
Myth 4: “How much you pump is a sign of your milk supply.”
It takes time and practice to pump milk for your baby. In the beginning you’ll likely be able to pump a small amount but – as with anything – the more you do it the better you get! How much milk you’re able to express at one time is certainly not indicative of your milk supply – and factors like the type of pump you’re using, the time of day it is, your mood etc play a part in how much output you get from your pump.
To give yourself the best chance of pumping more milk, make sure you get to grips with your breast pump and read the user manual. Get familiar with the pump parts and with the settings so you can use it with confidence. If using an electric breast pump for example, many people assume the fastest/strongest session will yield the best results but that is not always the case. In fact, it’s best if you adjust your pump to mimic the rhythm of your baby’s sucking.
It’s also important to ensure you choose the right size breast shell to fit you. Ardo offers a range of breast shell sizes for this reason – as one size does not fit all! They also have helpful breast shell sizing videos.
Other tips for pumping more milk are to have your baby close by, or to have something of your baby’s to smell to get the oxytocin (known as the ‘love hormone’) flowing. This will help your let-down and the milk flow faster! Some people also like to listen to music, read a book or watch television whilst pumping so they can better ‘switch off’ and not focus on the amount of milk they are producing!
Myth 5: “Breastfeeding has no benefits after the age of one.”
Breastfeeding doesn’t just lose its benefits past the age of one! Breast milk continues to offer immune protection, nutrition, and emotional security, and this is exactly the reason why the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding your child for up to two years and beyond.
There is absolutely no reason to stop breastfeeding an older baby or child until you are both ready to stop. What matters most is what works for you and your family. So if you and your little one are still enjoying your breastfeeding journey past the first year, keep going! You’re still giving them a head start in health and a deep sense of security.
About the Author
Ruth Maguire is a breastfeeding advocate, content creator, and founder of Boobingit.com—an online breastfeeding magazine dedicated to honest conversations around breastfeeding, pumping, and parenting. With a background in marketing and a passion for maternal wellbeing, Ruth creates accessible, evidence-informed content that supports and empowers new parents.
Through Boobingit and her consultancy work at The Nourish Consultancy, she champions better breastfeeding support in both healthcare and the workplace. Ruth is also the host of The Boobingit Podcast, where she interviews parents, professionals, and advocates about real-life feeding journeys.
