When can you start pumping?

libbyann

DH and I have decided to wait to buy a pump until DS has been home for a few weeks since I don't think I'll be using it much anyways. But when can you start pumping? I'd like to start building up a freezer stash as early as possible!

I was thinking about buying a pump when he's ~3 weeks...is this too late?

MrsBeckO

You can start pumping right away if you need to. Some people like to wait a few weeks to establish good habits with baby, but if baby is having trouble nursing you can pump at any time, hours after birth even. You don't have to wait for any specific amt of time.?

balihaigirl

I plan on pumping as soon as my milk comes in to build up my freezer stash since I'll be going back to work about 6-7 wks post baby.  I also want my son to get used to taking a bottle so I plan on bottle feeding him about 1-2x a day.

libbyann

Thanks ladies! For some reason I had it in my head that you had to wait a certain amount of time. No clue where that came from! I'll also be going back to work (for 1-2 weeks) about 6-7 weeks post partum. So building up a freezer stash earlier is probably a good idea! I think we'll go ahead and get one earlier than 3 weeks.

batsteph

libbyann:

Thanks ladies! For some reason I had it in my head that you had to wait a certain amount of time. No clue where that came from! I'll also be going back to work (for 1-2 weeks) about 6-7 weeks post partum. So building up a freezer stash earlier is probably a good idea! I think we'll go ahead and get one earlier than 3 weeks.

You'll probably be happy to have one anyway. ?I started WAH after Daniel was born, so I didn't really *need* to start building a stash, so I was also planning to wait on that purchase. ?Well, my milk came in the day we brought Daniel home from the hospital, and the engorgement was so uncomfortable that we got up the very next morning and, baby in tow, went out and bought a breastpump. ?There was so much milk that poor little D just couldn't drink it fast enough to make Mommy happy!?

balihaigirl

Libby, IDK if you've bought your breast pump yet but if you're looking for Medela, the best prices I found were from this site: https://www.bestbuybaby.com/breastfeeding.html.  It came recommended by the 3rd tri board - lots of girls have bought their pumps from this place with good luck (also includes free shipping and no sales tax)!

The Medela Freestyle is $270 and the Medela PISA was about $210-$220 (I think).   Way cheaper than anywhere else I found (especially BRU)!

libbyann

balihaigirl:

Libby, IDK if you've bought your breast pump yet but if you're looking for Medela, the best prices I found were from this site: https://www.bestbuybaby.com/breastfeeding.html.  It came recommended by the 3rd tri board - lots of girls have bought their pumps from this place with good luck (also includes free shipping and no sales tax)!

The Medela Freestyle is $270 and the Medela PISA was about $210-$220 (I think).   Way cheaper than anywhere else I found (especially BRU)!

WOW! That is way cheaper. Thanks!

Abrooks

I started when DD was 3 days old.  (I rented a hospital grade one then though.)  I started using my own pump when DD was 2-3 weeks old.  I didn't stop until she was almost a year. 

brideonjuly8

I pumped the first time the day we came home.  I was really engorged and needed to relieve my boobs!  DS also got a bottle at 5 days, when I thought bfing was goin pretty well and he's took to it really well.

Emer

MrsRosie:

We started giving Amery one bottle a week or every couple of days starting at 3 weeks.  I think this was a key factor in how easily he took bottles....

Ditto this.  We gave DD her first bottle at 2 weeks and were good about giving her one regularly and she was a champ with the bottle.  With DS, we rarely gave him a bottle when I was on maternity leave and it has been a struggle ever since I've been back at work.

Also, if you start a regular pumping routine while you are engorged you may create an oversupply.  I did it on purpose with DD to build up my stash, but it does create problems while you are nursing and it ties you to the pump more than you may like.