If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling through late-night TikToks about breastfeeding tips or searching for the words “baby not latching” at 2 a.m., you’re one hundred percent not alone. I had a very difficult and challenging breastfeeding experience when my baby was born - and it didn’t help that it happened during the first few stressful weeks of the pandemic, so I found myself spiraling down the Google black hole every night, mortified that my baby wasn’t getting enough to eat.
But let’s be clear: just because someone who looks like a professional is giving advice on a YouTube channel or a blog, it doesn’t mean it’s true - or even safe. Pioneering registered nurse, and co-founder and Director of Care at Mahmee, Linda Hanna, RNC, MSN/Ed., IBCLC has seen what happens when bad advice spreads fast, and we talked to her to clear up the most common myths you might be hearing right now.
Definitely not. If you’re dealing with a painful latch, something’s off. A good latch shouldn’t hurt. A certified lactation consultant can help you figure out what’s wrong and make adjustments early. “With the right breastfeeding support, you can avoid sore nipples and actually enjoy feeding your baby,” Linda told us.
Some don’t - and if your little one didn’t, that absolutely doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Factors like how the birth went or even the baby’s position during delivery can affect early feeding. Linda told us, “Baby not latching in those first hours is common, and it doesn't mean you can't still breastfeed successfully. It just means you may need help, patience, and maybe even a few breastfeeding tips for new moms from a professional, someone who really knows what they’re doing.”
The reality? Not always. Milk production depends on hormones, health history, and sometimes past surgeries. If you’re concerned about how to increase milk supply, work with a lactation consultant or consider doing exclusive pumping with guidance. Don’t go it alone. You might google “lactation consultant near me” for the best ones in your city.
This is a huge myth. Just because you plan to get an epidural doesn’t mean you get to skip childbirth prep! You still have to go through early labor, and that takes a huge amount of work. Linda says it’s like training for a marathon. “You wouldn’t just show up at mile one hoping for the best. Preparing for childbirth with a doula or taking a birth class helps you handle the unexpected” And there’s always something unexpected.
It’s a guide, not a guarantee. Things change quickly and that’s why doula support can be so powerful. Whether it’s a prenatal doula helping you plan or a birth doula in the delivery room advocating for you, having someone who understands your wishes (and the system) makes a difference.
Right now, many people get their health advice from influencers. And it’s backfiring. As Linda puts it: “You’d never go to a stranger to manage your investments, but some moms trust TikTok for life-and-death birth advice.” From “YouTube doctors” to Google rabbit holes, it’s hard to know who to trust. The solution?
We need community, facts and support, not 30-second soundbites. Linda’s biggest advice? “Make sure the people around you value what you believe, and support it. If they don’t, it’s going to be a harder ride.”
Whether it’s finding a postpartum doula, dealing with clogged ducts, or just learning how to pump and store breast milk, the real key is getting support from people who know what they’re doing.
Pregnancy and postpartum are hard enough. Let’s stop making them harder with bad info.
