The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
1. A mother must wean her breastfeeding baby as soon as she falls pregnant – MYTH
2. Breastfeeding during pregnancy can trigger a miscarriage – MYTH
Oxytocin is a hormone released during breastfeeding that causes uterine contractions, usually too mild to notice.
3. Most mothers experience a drop in milk supply during pregnancy – FACT
70 per cent of mothers notice a significant drop in supply during pregnancy. Still, a minority of mothers continue to produce an abundance of milk throughout pregnancy.
4. Many children will wean themselves off the breast when the taste of the milk changes later during pregnancy – MYTH
In one study of breastfeeding mothers by La Leche League, an international organization that distributes information on breastfeeding, 26 per cent of children self-weaned, 28 per cent of the mothers led weaning, and the other 46 per cent went on to tandem nurse.
5. You must wean your older child off the breast as soon as you give birth – MYTH
6. The newborn always needs to breastfeed first – MYTH
Your newborn may need "first dibs" on colostrum since it is in limited supply in the first day or two but your body will adjust to your children's demand.
7. Tandem nursing mothers can make a double supply of milk—just like mothers nursing twins. - FACT
8. Tandem nursing is rare – MYTH
In one study of 179 mothers who had breastfed at least one child for at least six months, 61 per cent had breastfed during pregnancy, and 35 per cent had tandem nursed.
Source: Hilary Flower, author of Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond, published by La Leche League International in July 2003
join