There are so many barriers to successful breastfeeding that make it so hard for the new mother. Well meaning friends and relatives often give advise which may not always be helpful. Here are some of the more common myths which we try to clear up. Read on!
Breastfeeding ties the mother down. It is much easier to bottle feed.
It is true that the task of breastfeeding is largely non-delegable (and arguably, rightfully so) and therefore can be mentally and physically demanding on the mother especially during the first one to two weeks after birth. However, if you persevere beyond that, you will gradually learn the conveniences of nursing far outweigh the initial difficulties which you may face. 
Once breastfeeding is well-established, breastfeeding a baby is as fuss-free as it gets! You can breastfeed any time and (pretty much) anywhere. So long as you are around, baby will have access to milk that is ideal for him whenever he wants. This can in fact prove to be liberating for the mother. You will not need to pack bottles, formula or arm yourself with a hot water flask or a sterilizer wherever you go. Breastfeeding makes traveling with baby a breeze (especially if you consider how much formula you would otherwise have to pack if you go on a long holiday)! You will also get to enjoy better rest if you nurse your baby at night as baby can nurse without you having to get out of bed to prepare a bottle feed.
Women with flat or inverted nipples cannot breastfeed.
This is not true! When your baby latches on, he needs to take in the whole of the areola comfortably into his mouth (Read "The Correct Latch On") and not just the nipple. A mother with inverted nipples can breastfeed as adequately as any other as long as she is able to ensure that the baby latches on properly.
Women with small breasts may not be able to produce enough milk for their baby.
This is also untrue. The supply of breastmilk depends largely on the demand, which basically means that the more your baby feeds, the more you will produce. Women with small breasts are equally able to breastfeed successfully compared to their peers who may be more well-endowed. The key lies in breastfeeding exclusively and on demand (i.e as often and as long as your baby wants). In rare instances, a mother may not be able to produce enough milk because of an underlying medical condition or if she suffers from severe malnutrition but this has nothing to do with the size of her breasts.
There is not enough milk during the first few days after birth therefore you need to supplement with formula milk
This is completely untrue!
Well-meaning relatives may suggest this especially when they sense that you are not getting enough rest. They may, for example, suggest that you ask someone to give your child formula at night so that you can have a good night's rest. While this may appear to be a good idea (and sound terribly tempting to a mum who may by now be quite sleep-deprived), it is to be strongly discouraged.
First, it is recommended that babies be exclusively breastfed for at least the first 6 months. 
Second, it is crucial at this time, more so than at any other, to feed baby on demand. And one sure way of jeopardising your chances of establishing a good supply of milk is to introduce supplemental formula feeds. Here's why: the supply of breast milk correlates directly with demand. If baby is exclusively breastfed, he is brought to the breast every time he is hungry and every time the baby suckles at the breast and empties it, it signals the need for the breast to make more milk. If instead, the baby is given a bottle of infant formula, the baby would nurse less often and less vigorously at the breast thus causing the supply of breast milk to decrease quickly over time. One formula feed a day is all it takes for your body to produce less milk. It might help you to know that the very act of suckling (even after baby has fully emptied your breast) helps to stimulate the production of milk.
If you are serious about breastfeeding exclusively, you need to believe that you alone are able to provide all the nutrition that your baby needs and politely disregard any advice from those who may try to persuade you otherwise.
Read more about this at this link .... Breast milk is best for your baby.
It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt.
Apart from experiencing some tenderness during the first few days, breastfeeding should be fairly comfortable for the mother. If you feel pain, it is, more often than not, a sign that your baby is not latched on properly, in which case, you should take your infant off the breast immediately by putting your finger in your baby's mouth and break the seal between her tongue and the roof of his/her mouth - and try again. See "The Correct Latch On". If you experience shooting pains in your breast, it could be a sign of an infection, in which case, it is advisable to seek medical advice immediately to avoid further complications.
A mother should wash her nipples each time before feeding the baby.
It is not necessary nor advisable to wash your nipples before every feed as frequent washing washes away protective oils from the nipple. Breast milk contains antibodies which protect your baby against infection so it is really not necessary to make sure that your breast is "sterile".
If the mother has a cough or flu, she should stop breastfeeding.
If you are suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection or gastroenteritis, it is advisable to continue to breastfeed as the Ig A antibodies found in breast milk will be passed onto baby, thereby protecting the baby against the very infection you are suffering from. Even if the baby catches the infection, the antibodies will help him/her recover faster. However, it is important to inform your doctor that you are breastfeeding so that he can prescribe you medicine that is safe for breastfeeding. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine bought over the counter.
If the baby has diarrhea or vomiting, the mother should stop breastfeeding.
On the contrary, if your baby can take in anything at all, it should be breast milk as breast milk is ideal for your baby if he has a gut infection. Breast milk provides baby with antibodies that help in his recovery and is quickly and easily digested. Nursing is also comforting to both mother and baby during a time of great discomfort.
A woman who becomes pregnant must stop breastfeeding.
This is not true. Barring any exceptional health issues, both mother and child can safely continue breastfeeding. There is no medical evidence to suggest that breastfeeding will deprive your unborn baby of the necessary nutrients it needs.
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