Nipple confusion. The cryptic puzzle that has plagued my lactation practice for years. To me, nipple confusion is like the Loch Ness Monster or Big Foot – some swear it exists, yet I have never seen or met anyone who has experienced it.
So lets talk about nipple confusion. It is a common fear for so many new mothers. They are told that if the baby gets too many bottles they will not want to breastfeed. That bottle feeding is “easier” than breastfeeding. This is also false. If you want to learn more about this, check out my blog post from a while back. This breaks it all down for you: https://diannecassidyconsulting.wordpress.com/2014/04/19/is-bottle-feeding-really-easier-for-babies-than-breastfeeding
So if bottles aren’t easier, why does everyone fear nipple confusion? Because society says it’s so. Now, don’t get me wrong – bottles can absolutely disrupt a breastfeeding relationship, causing milk supply to drop. This happens because bottles keep babies from feeding at the breast. Feeding at the breast will keep your milk supply at it’s best. Of course, sometimes bottles are unavoidable, and that’s ok. As long as babies are not overfeeding by bottle, it will be easier for them to go back to the breast. Breastfeeding is not just about food…there is so much more to it than that. Babies don’t abandon breastfeeding as easily as some might think.
For more information on nipple confusion, what it is and what it isn’t…tune in to the Badass Breastfeeding Podcast this week. Dianne and Abby will set it straight.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/episodes/683168-034-nipple-confusion
