How Much Do You Know About Breastfeeding?
Do you dream of the day breastfeeding is a Jeopardy category? Well, here’s a chance to show your stuff. Our breastfeeding quiz may not make you rich—but it will earn you bragging rights!
True or false? You can’t breastfeed if you have pierced nipples.
False. You can, but nipple piercings increase your risk of infection, impact the letdown reflex, and create scar tissue—all of which can definitely make breastfeeding more challenging for both mom and babe.
True or false? Exercise will negatively impact your milk supply.
False. Research finds no difference in milk supply between sedentary women and women who exercise a lot. While some lactic acid after intense exercise has been found in breast milk, studies show that it doesn’t affect babies (or their appetite).
True or false? Oral contraceptives can reduce your milk supply.
True. Combined estrogen and progestin pills have been associated with reduced milk supply. Progestin-only birth control pills, however, don’t affect milk supply and neither do other forms of contraception like condoms, cervical caps, or non-hormonal IUDs.
True or false? The older you are, the less breast milk you make.
False. While maternal age can decrease your fertility and increase your risks during pregnancy, maternal age does not appear to reduce a mom’s ability to make milk.
True or false? Stress directly affects your breast milk.
True: Feeling stressed or anxious can inhibit your letdown reflex, slow your flow, and even decrease the immune-boosting properties of your milk!
True or false? The more water you drink, the more milk you’ll make.
False. Staying hydrated is super important to maintain your health and your milk supply, but drinking more fluids than normal won’t magically boost your production.
True or false? Women with breast implants can’t breastfeed.
False. Women with breast implants can breastfeed, but studies show they have lower rates of breastfeeding overall than women without implants. Successful breastfeeding may depend on the kind of breast implants you have—implants below the muscle tend to affect milk production less than those above the muscle. Some moms worry about silicone leaching into breast milk, but those fears are unfounded.
True or false? Drinking beer increases your milk supply.
False. Sorry, but the belief that beer can improve milk production is folklore. A component of barley, a common ingredient in beer-brewing, has been shown to stimulate prolactin—a key breastfeeding hormone—in lactating animals, but to date no clinical studies show the same effects in breastfeeding women. While moderate alcohol consumption is okay, chugging beer to boost milk is not recommended:)
Mamava designs solutions to empower breastfeeding and pumping parents on the go, like our freestanding lactation pods, Mamava’s lactation space locator app, and other helpful resources.
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