Breaking the Myths #1
- Deborah Fuentes LM, CPM
- Oct 10, 2017
- 2 min read
Welcome to my series Breaking the Myths. There are a lot of myths that float throughout our communities concerning breastfeeding. Some of these myths are destructive others are just plain confusing. The purpose of this series is to debunk these myths and shed a little light on the truth.
Myth #1 is the foremilk vs hindmilk debate
"It turns out that the concept of "fore" and "hind" milk is a lot more complex than was originally described." By definition "milk at the beginning of a feed is called "foremilk". The milk from the end of the feed is called "hindmilk."(Healthy Children Project, Inc.) Many people have the belief that the "hindmilk" is the fattier milk and is necessary for the baby to gain weight. This belief has lead to the idea that women need to feed their baby a certain time frame in order for the baby to "get enough milk". Many people including healthcare professionals have fallen victim to this myth causing stress when a baby does not gain properly. Lack of weight gain is a prime reason why some women choose to stop breastfeeding, resort to pumping and feeding, or alter their normal instincts for feeding their baby.
The Truth
So what lead to the confusion? For one, it had to do with the content and color of the milk. Because the first milk appears more watery, the assumption was made that it was not as high in fat in comparison with the milk that appeared after a mother had been pumping past the first initial let down. "As it turns out, fore milk does not mean "low fat". Hind milk is not always drastically higher in fat. Sometimes foremilk and hindmilk have equal amounts. of fat. Fat content of milk varies throughout the day." (Healthy Children Project, Inc). "There is no truth to the argument that to obtain the most nutritious milk for the infant that the mother should encourage her baby to consume more hindmilk." (Creagan & Hartmann) Trusting your body is important when breastfeeding. Your body is amazing, it knows exactly what your baby needs when your baby needs it. "The breastfed baby can regulate his fat intake quickly and thus mothers should be encouraged to practice 'baby-led feeding'." (Woolridge, Richard). Baby-led feeding is when you allow your baby to go to the breast uninhibited, whenever the baby is showing signs of hunger. Be encouraged mommy, your baby knows exactly what to do and so do you! Be brave and courageous beautiful one!
Cadwell, K., & Turner-Maffei, C., Editors (2012). The Lactation Counselor Certificate Training Program Course Manual, 2012-2013. East Sandwich, MA: Healthy Children Project, Inc.
Cregan, M.D., & Hartmann, P.E. (1999) Computerized breast measurement from conception to weaning: clinical implications. Journal of Human Lactation: Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association, 15(2), 89-96
Woolridge, M.W., Ingram, J.C., & Baum, JD. (1990). Do changes in pattern of breast usage alter the baby's nutrient intake? Lancet, 336(8712), 395-397.
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