Old wives tales and MIL myths

[kayzisexpecting]

I thought I would start a thread where people can add old wives tales and myths they have heard or been told about BF or FF.

I have loads all from my MIL. I didn't manage to bf DS but really want to bf this one and this is what she said.

1.DS will hate me and will probably end up in care(her's) by the age of 5(he is 20 months) because he will know he wasn't BF and that the new baby is BF. This will make him think we hate him.

1. I won't produce milk because I had a baby I didn't BF and therefore my body thinks I won't BF this one and won't produce milk.

1. I hate milk and therefore won't produce milk because I don't drink milk.

1. The new baby knows I didn't BF DS so won't latch on.

I have been told all of this is not true but I really does amuse me.

Anyone else have any funny tales to share?

What is it with people thinking that breastmilk goes 'off'? I've been told that my milk eill go off after a few months.

I was also told that I should wash my nipples before and after feeding to keep them clear of bacteria.

Listening...reading?...to all this makes me feel sad It's such a shame that there is is so much misinformation out there. I'm quite lucky I suppose as my MIL and mum have not really commented or given 'advice' on bf. My mum stopped bf me at 6 weeks because she had too much milk(?) and my sis at 3 weeks because she couldn't get any out. It was only recently that I explained to mum that the reason sis couldn't latch on properly was because she has a tongue-tie. My mum was amazed, but what a shame that it wasn't picked up back then

Quite interesting myths about colostrum.

I remember reading that it was really quite common in some cultures to feed babies honey/sweet water until the milk came in because colostrum was believed to be poisonous (because of the colour and consistency I think it was believed to be similar to pus seeping out of a wound, nice!)

Not so much an old wives tale, but personally I found that from about 8-9 months onwards I would get a lot of comments along the lines of "Well he's just doing it for comfort now really" and "He doesn't need it now does he?"

This is from my wonderful mother (absolutely no sarcasm) who is pro-BF and BF me and my siblings. I happily explained to her that since milk is an important part of a child's diet for the first few years it may as well be my milk instead of cow's milk for as long as ds wants it. Think it worked as she hasn't said it since!