Small breasts don't mean smaller amount of breast milk, and other breastfeeding myths debunked

We all know that breastfeeding is super important. 

Apart from forming a bond between mother and baby, it is also a way for moms to pass on vitamins and nutrients to her child.

In a recent Pinoy MD episode, pediatrician and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Dr. Jamie Isip-Cumpas said, "Breastfeeding is very important because of the antibodies that the mommy will pass on [to the baby] through the milk. Antibodies, ibig sabihin panlaban niya against infection."

But breastfeeding, especially for first-time mothers, carries with it a lot of myths. See a couple below.

1. Small breasts account for insufficient amounts of milk. Which is entirely false, Isip-Cumpas said. According to the doctor, each mom can produce enough milk for her baby.

"Nasu-sustain lang ng body ang pag-produce ng milk kung nagde-demand si baby na kumuha ng gatas from the body, especially during the time na you're trying to increase your supply or to establish your milk supply," she said.

According to Isip-Cumpas, it becomes highly important that the baby demand and latch on to the breast as often as possible — so more milk is produced.

What is often as possible? Somewhere around eight to twelve times in 24 hours, she said.

According to Isip-Cumpas, another reason for insufficient milk is the mother getting her period again. Because of hormonal changes, the amount of milk supply can reduce temporarily.

But as soon as the mother gets her period on track again, her milk supply should slowly increase.

2. Breastfeeding is painful. No, it is not. It can be uncomfortable at first, especially for first-time mothers, but the pain shouldn't be persistent all throughout.

If the pain persists, Isip-Cumpas advised for the mother fix the infant's feeding position. There is the cradle position where the tummy and the chest of the baby is pressed against the mother, and the chin is resting against the breast so that the baby's mouth is opened wide enough. There is also the side-lying position where the mother and the baby are both lying on their sides.

3. Mothers shouldn't breastfeed when they're sick. According to Isip-Cumpas, the more mothers should breastfeed. "Yung protection against that infection, mapapasa mo kay baby." But sick breastfeeding moms should always wash their hands, wear mask and limit face-to-face contact with baby. — Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News