Breastfeeding myths explained

The government is calling for more support for new mums to allow them to keep breastfeeding beyond the first few months.

Although 76% of women start out breastfeeding, this falls to 50% by six weeks - and one in four by six months.

Women will always give you reasons why you can't breastfeed, but are they really true? We examine some of the myths and reveal the reality.

Myth: You can't breastfeed if you've got small boobs

Reality: Alison Spiro, specialist health visitor and breastfeeding counsellor, says, 'Breast size has no bearing on how much milk you produce. It's the fatty tissue that determines breast size, and milk isn't manufactured in the fat but in the glandular tissue. The same goes for large-breasted mums: women of all shapes and sizes can breastfeed successfully.'

Myth: If you've had a drink, you shouldn't breastfeed

Reality: GP Dr Kerrie Spaul says, 'You can drink a bit more when you're breastfeeding than you can in pregnancy. Alcohol makes its way into breastmilk, but in smaller quantities than when it passes through the placenta to an unborn baby.'

'Alcohol goes into your milk in the same way as into your bloodstream. While you're drinking it's whizzing around in your blood and in your milk, but when you stop your body metabolises it. Gradually your blood and your milk become less boozy and eventually return to normal.'

'Pumping and dumping won't make any difference; you just have to wait for the milk to become alcohol-free on its own. It's not a good idea to drink heavily while you're breastfeeding, though. Babies are much more sensitive to alcohol than adults, even in tiny quantities. If too much passes through to your little one, his blood sugar will drop and he could become dehydrated and floppy.'

- Next: 'You can't breastfeed twins or triplets' - more myths busted

More help and advice

- A practical guide to breastfeeding
- More advice on coping after the birth
- More tips for coping with breastfeeding
- Get in-depth info on mastitis
- I panicked when my baby stopped breastfeeding!' Read one new mum's experience
- Chat about breastfeeding with other mums