1. Frequent feeding
The biggest myth of all is that babies feed every 4 hours. Even new born babies fed formula will often feed more than every 4 hours. Babies have little tummies, they don't hold much, and need filling regularly, but it's true that breastfed babies will probably feed more often than formula fed ones.

This is because breastmilk is designed for babies, and is easy to digest and quickly absorbed. Formula, which is essentially modified cows milk, is harder for babies to digest and so takes them longer to absorb, hence they are not ready for another feed as quickly as a breastfed baby can be. This does not mean that your breastfed baby is hungrier, not getting enough milk, or that your breastmilk is not satisfying your baby: this frequent feeding pattern is quite normal for breastfed babies, don't be fooled into thinking a bottle of formula will keep your baby “full” or “happier” for longer. Introducing "top-up" bottles of formula, especially in the first 6-8 weeks (and when your baby is having a growth spurt) can have a serious effect on your milk supply, so don't do it!!! The more often you feed your baby the more milk you will make, so adding formula will result in less milk, and this can quickly turn into a downward spiral until you are exclusively formula feeding. Please, try to resist a "top-up", and anyone who suggests you do this doesn't know much about breastfeeding and should be ignored!!

This frequent feeding does not last forever, don't think you are going to have your baby suctioned to you for the next 6 months! Once upon a time women “lay in” or were “confined” for 6 weeks after they had a baby. During this time the household was cared for by mothers, sisters, friends and midwives, all the mother did was stay in bed and feed and bond with her baby. Obviously no one can do this now, and with our knowledge of DVT and such like we wouldn't suggest it, but this is roughly how long it can take to get your breastfeeding fully and properly established.

But, now that almost all men have the right to two weeks paid paternity leave you can spend the first week or so doing just this. For the first week or two baby may well feed almost every hour, then it will stretch to every two to three hours, then three to four hours. A baby will sleep through the night when it is ready to, filling your baby up with formula will not necessarily make him/her sleep through the night, in fact you may be up several times to a baby with belly ache as his/her tummy struggles to deal with food that is designed for baby cows, not baby humans.

Incidentally, if your baby is unsettled and wants to suckle, let it suckle, it may need a top up, or it may just want to know you are there. Breastfeeding is not just about nutrition, your baby has been in constant contact with you since it was conceived, being out in the big world is a huge shock for him/her, sometimes they will just need a little cuddle and suckle just to make them feel secure. Giving a breastfed baby a dummy or pacifier early on can cause confusion and possible latching on problems. Having said this, many breastfed babies suck happily on dummies and feed perfectly well, but also, many breastfed babies won't take dummies as they don't feel like the real thing!

Also, breastfed babies do runny poo's. This is not a sign of an upset stomach, and the more solid poo that your friend's formula fed baby does are a result of it drinking formula, and possibly a forerunner to constipation, which can have serious health implications in later life. The muscles in babies guts are immature, “proper” baby poo is runny so that these muscles are allowed to develop slowly.

2. Bottle feeding is more convenient
I want some one to explain to me how anything could be easier and more convenient than lifting your top a little and popping a nipple into a baby's mouth. I don't have to get out of bed to do night feeds, the Moses basket is right next to me; I just lay the baby next to me on the bed, feed her and put her back in the Moses basket. This takes all of 10 minutes, and neither of us wakes up properly. There is no fumbling about for a bottle in the fridge, keeping the baby quiet whilst it warms up, sitting up to feed and winding afterwards.

Even out and about there are normally places where you can sit and breastfeed comfortably and discretely (although why we should have to hide the fact that we are breastfeeding is another issue entirely!) no matter where you are. I personally think it is more convenient to be breastfeeding, as I never have to worry about transporting and keeping bottles of formula cool or getting them warmed at feeding times, or not having enough bottles with me should our day out go on for longer than originally planned.

3. Breastfeeding ties you to your baby
I have been expressing milk from 3 days after birth, and my baby had her first bottle of expressed milk at 2 weeks old. I can, if I choose, leave her for a night out etc when ever I want. Daddy does a share of feeding some evenings with a bottle of expressed milk so that he can feel more involved, and I can have a break.

4. Your diet is limited
Not at all, only minute traces of alcohol go into your milk, so it is perfectly safe to enjoy a couple of glasses of wine or a few beers quite regularly. Moderation is the key, and anyway, who would want to get drunk when they have a tiny baby to look after, and who would want a hangover when they will be getting up to care for a baby in the morning? I have eaten curry, chilli and drunk cranberry juice regularly whilst breastfeeding, none of these have affected my baby. The only thing you should limit whilst breastfeeding is caffeine, it passes into your milk and, in infants, has a half life of 4 days, drinking non-decaf tea or coffee (or cola drinks, lucozade etc) can result in a restless, unsettled and wakeful baby, try switching to decaf, you'll sleep better and your baby will too! However, if there is a history of allergies try to avoid peanuts, and excessive maternal consumption of (cows') dairy produce can cause colic type problems for some babies.

5. Breastfeeding is exhausting
Looking after a baby is hard work, even if you are formula feeding. When you are breastfeeding you need to get plenty of rest and eat and drink lots to begin with, but your body soon adjusts and life then carries on as normal. Looking after a small baby requires that you re-prioritise your life, suddenly the ironing is not that important, and vacuuming is not really something that needs to be done every day anyway.

6. Breastfeeding is painful (also sore/cracked nipples)
Breastfeeding only hurts if you are doing it wrong. You will probably get tender nipples; after all, they will have never been sucked this much before, ever! But there are ways of dealing with these types of problems. The golden rule is that if it hurts it's not right; consult a good midwife or health visitor with experience in breastfeeding support, a breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant. (Not all midwives or health visitors are breastfeeding experts, if the advice they offer doesn't work, or involves a "top-up" bottle seek the advice of a real breastfeeding expert.) The cramping sensation of the uterus contracting only lasts for a couple of weeks, after that you can't feel it.

7. Weight gain
If your baby does not gain weight as fast as the line on the chart in his/her red book, it doesn't mean they are failing to thrive, or that your milk is “not enough”. Breastfed babies often gain weight in fits and starts, some weeks gaining lots, others none at all. The weight gain charts in the red book are designed around the steady, and increased, weight gain of formula fed babies, not the natural, healthier irregular weight gain of the breastfed baby. Again, don't let well meaning (but ignorant) people tell you that your baby needs formula, if they are alert, happy and producing plenty of wet and a few dirty nappies, they are almost certainly fine.