Debunked: 7 Post Pregnancy Myths That Have No Evidence

It’s great being pregnant. The anticipation and excitement of welcoming a new member into your family nine months later cannot be measured. Albeit there are things about a pregnancy that makes it an uncomfortable ride and there are others that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. The time after pregnancy is when your body has to recover to get back to normal. After childbirth, you are probably bombarded with advice, suggestions, and hacks for postpartum recovery. Some of them make sense, and some are merely myths. Before you believe just about anything you hear, make sure they are logical or backed by scientific evidence. Today, we are here to bust a few post-pregnancy myths that you would have probably heard. So, without further ado, let’s dive into them:

Myth 1:

“Do not touch water that is not boiled in ginger or only bathe using ginger water.”

Have you heard this one before? If you haven’t, you’ve been lucky. If you have, you need to understand that there is absolutely no fact to back this claim. Taking regular baths ensures good hygiene, which is essential for you and your baby’s well-being.

Myth 2:

“My baby and I should not be exposed to wind or air conditioning.”

If you live in a hot city, you probably dread hearing this. But don’t worry, it’s not true. There is no harm in switching on the fan or air conditioning if you want both you and your baby to be comfortable. If you live in a hot and humid place, it might even prevent a heat rash from developing.

Myth 3:

“You must eat bland foods when you’re breastfeeding.”

What you eat doesn’t usually affect the baby. Before the food reaches the milk, it’s probably almost fully digested. However, you could maintain a food diary to understand if your baby doesn’t like certain foods or flavors. Note down what you eat every day and observe when your baby fusses. You will be able to eliminate any food that doesn’t please your little one.

Myth 4:

“You cannot get intimate with your partner soon after pregnancy.”

Although this is a common restriction that doctors give you, it’s not a hard and fast rule. Yes, you have to wait until your body heals. But more importantly, you have to wait until you feel ready. Usually, after a woman gives birth, her libido takes a while to restore back to normal. But hey, if you are ready to do the deed one week after you’ve given birth, go ahead!

Debunked 7 Post Pregnancy Myths That Have No Evidence
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Myth 5:

“Get your body back as soon as you can.”

Your body has not gone anywhere. It’s with you and will continue to be. A lot of people pressure moms to lose their pregnancy weight. They say it’s now or never. The next time you hear it, tell them to mind their own business. Because you’ve just experienced something big and as much as it is essential and healthy for you to exercise, you don’t have to do it unless you are ready. Take your time; there’s no rush.

Myth 6:

“You have to breastfeed, or your baby might not ever put on weight!”

It’s a well-known fact that breastfeeding is great for the baby, but if you don’t want to do it (for whatever reason), you don’t have to. It’s a choice you make for yourself and your baby, and you don’t have to feel pressured into breastfeeding your little one. You can feed your baby formula milk and monitor its weight gain as advised by your doctor.

Myth 7:

“The more milk you drink, the more milk you make.”

One of the most ridiculous myths you’ve probably heard is that you’ll produce more milk if you drink more milk. There is no scientific evidence that proves this fact. Therefore, ignore people who force you to drink milk. Consume a balanced diet including proteins, minerals, and vitamins that will aid in milk production.

There you have it! The seven strange postpartum pregnancy myths that you’ve probably heard. We hope we helped you debunk them and clear your confusion. If you’ve heard any other strange post-pregnancy myths, share them with us in the comments below!

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