Pumping

NLJ82

I don't know that I've ever posted here so be gentle. I'm a FTM and still confused about how I should go about feeding. Although I guarantee it's a huge UO, I, myself, don't feel comfortable breastfeeding but I know that it's the best method, healthier and obviously better on the wallet so I'm wondering what the pros and cons were of pumping only (I'm sure there an abbreviation for that, that I don't know. Forgive me!)

Thanks!

NLJ82

Sing2phins Gotcha. It does sound like lots of work but as far as myself, for whatever reason, I just don't feel comfortable with it. I can't really put my finger on what the issue is. No one in my family has ever done it, I've only seen it done a small handful of times and since I was never accustomed to it, it always freaked me out lol. A lot of people say it's a huge bonding experience, but still...not for me. I'm definitely going bottle I just need to figure out what will be in that bottle! lol

NLJ82

I'll still definitely consider it, but now wonder who has just done formula from the start?

It's it extremely hazardous?

cinderin

NLJ82 said:

I'll still definitely consider it, but now wonder who has just done formula from the start?

It's it extremely hazardous?

There is a formula feeding board now (link is in the top post).

Formula feeding is not risk-free.

NLJ82

amber0389 thanks for the lol hahah. I just ask bc in a parenting class H & I recently took we were told that there are infants that die from formula but there was no reason given so I just wondered why. I probably should navigate to the formula feeding board (which I didn't know was a board!) Thanks!

cinderin

NLJ82 said:

amber0389 thanks for the lol hahah. I just ask bc in a parenting class H & I recently took we were told that there are infants that die from formula but there was no reason given so I just wondered why. I probably should navigate to the formula feeding board (which I didn't know was a board!) Thanks!

They were probably talking about SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Formula fed children are twice as likely to die of SIDS, but there is no know causes, only risk factors. Formula feeding is one of them.

NLJ82

cinderin  I guess I just thought that SIDS was typically just suffocation. How are they linked?

cinderin

I think you can find the stats in a lot of places, but this article takes a stab at why/how they are possibly connected.

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/sids/8-reasons-breastfeeding-reduces-sids

surpriseaddition

GL with your decision. After returning to work FT, I was pumping quite a bit. I agree with PPs that building supply and the amount of time you'd need to pump in the beginning would be a lot. But, if you did get a few sets of pump parts and a hands-free pumping bra, you could be pumping as you were feeding your LO. I always just threw my pump parts and bottles into my dishwasher and hit the "sanitize" button, so the cleaning wasn't a big deal for me. I also refrigerated the pump parts in between uses at work to lower the number of times they needed to be cleaned. But, if you were pumping 24/7 I'd want at least one extra set of parts. It really comes down to whether you want to do the work to pump and provide BM versus FF. I know there are some women who really don't want to nurse....but luckily today there are options to still provide BM without having to nurse if it just really isn't your thing. You could also pump and supplement with formula if necessary. Some BM is better than none.

BootsOrHearts

Exclusively pumping is really hard and most of us would much prefer to breastfeed but can't for various reasons.

I would say wait and see what happens when your baby is born. I was worried breastfeeding would be weird or awkward but when I saw my baby for the first time and his little mouth was open looking for a nipple, I wanted to put him on a boob so bad! It was some kind of weird instinctual thing that happened. It was crazy.

Really though, breastfeeding is easier and cheaper than either pumping or FFing and the health benefits are clear so I would encourage you to try it. Ask to see a lactation consultant at the hospital after baby is born and let them know you have reservations and ask them to be sensitive to that.

Good luck to you whatever you choose!

NLJ82

BootsOrHearts said:

Exclusively pumping is really hard and most of us would much prefer to breastfeed but can't for various reasons.

I would say wait and see what happens when your baby is born. I was worried breastfeeding would be weird or awkward but when I saw my baby for the first time and his little mouth was open looking for a nipple, I wanted to put him on a boob so bad! It was some kind of weird instinctual thing that happened. It was crazy.

Really though, breastfeeding is easier and cheaper than either pumping or FFing and the health benefits are clear so I would encourage you to try it. Ask to see a lactation consultant at the hospital after baby is born and let them know you have reservations and ask them to be sensitive to that.

Good luck to you whatever you choose!

This is why, as of now, I can't. I just turned into a 5 yr old and cannot even fathom. STILL...I'm willing to TRY...God help us....

BootsOrHearts

NLJ82 said:

BootsOrHearts said:

Exclusively pumping is really hard and most of us would much prefer to breastfeed but can't for various reasons.

I would say wait and see what happens when your baby is born. I was worried breastfeeding would be weird or awkward but when I saw my baby for the first time and his little mouth was open looking for a nipple, I wanted to put him on a boob so bad! It was some kind of weird instinctual thing that happened. It was crazy.

Really though, breastfeeding is easier and cheaper than either pumping or FFing and the health benefits are clear so I would encourage you to try it. Ask to see a lactation consultant at the hospital after baby is born and let them know you have reservations and ask them to be sensitive to that.

Good luck to you whatever you choose!

This is why, as of now, I can't. I just turned into a 5 yr old and cannot even fathom. STILL...I'm willing to TRY...God help us....

It's what boobs were like, made for after all. :-) You'll be fine, don't overthink it!

Guennie

I hope you will instinctively want to try to bf once your baby is in your arms but only you can decide how you feel. I have had to EP from about 2 weeks pp and I can tell you I would give anything to be able to bf instead. I also have to supplement with formula due to low supply.

Pumping is so much work. And it just sucks, pun intended. I am only pumping twice a day now at 7 1/2 months and I still hate it. Good luck with your decision.