Does anyone else "just" pump?

monkey520

I do not want to BF (and DS wasn't latching, so I gave up...it never worked with my 1st DS either) but I am been pumping and giving him BM bottles...I will do this as long as I can...I spoke with a nurse today and she asked me a million questions to as why I pump  and not breastfeed...I just wondered if anyone else pumps only? TIA...

MamaA2009

I know many of my friends who do this, especially with twins! As long as it is breast milk, do what you fill comfortable with!

GL!

AngRx

I am but about to stop after 4 weeks. DD isn't latching and actually pushes away. I am pumping only about 2 oz with each pump so we are supplementing formula too. It has become a chore and I should enjoy feeding my daughter so after 4 weeks I am stopping.

Tinkermeg

I do! DD will latch a little now with the nipple shields, but pumping has been easier and more time efficient. Bella SCREAMS bloody murder if she doesn't get food the instant she wants it, and the boob isn't efficient enough for her.

Today I met a friend for lunch whose little one only BF and she does not pump. When he started crying from hunger, she had to rush home to feed him. I was able to pull out a bottle and feed my DD at the table.

 My pedi liked that pumped because we know exactly how much she is eating. However, she encouraged me to keep trying at the breast.

dmogmo

I did for about a month and got grilled constantly too. We had latch issues and I never would have made it through the first week w/o quitting if I did not switch to "just" pumping. If it works for you, don't let anyone make you feel bad about it.

MrsL.inMarch

I did for 4.5 months. My supply dropped and dropped and it came to the point where pumping 4+ hours a day to only get half what he needed and I would normally get, wasn't worth my sanity. It was really hard but I made it to nearly five months.

love22

there is a group of exclusive pumpers on the breastfeeding board.  I had to pump and use an sns for the first 3.5 weeks and i have to say once my ds figured out his latch isses breastfeeding is so much easier ( no pumping and no bottle washing) but it is your choice.

melrrr

Tinkermeg:

Today I met a friend for lunch whose little one only BF and she does not pump. When he started crying from hunger, she had to rush home to feed him. I was able to pull out a bottle and feed my DD at the table.

I wish all BF moms were comfortable with NIP. I had lunch with several friends today and two of us nursed smack dab in the middle of a PACKED hamburger joint! I didn't notice the first shocked/angry/uncomfortable look.

dmogmo

love22:

there is a group of exclusive pumpers on the breastfeeding board.  I had to pump and use an sns for the first 3.5 weeks and i have to say once my ds figured out his latch isses breastfeeding is so much easier ( no pumping and no bottle washing) but it is your choice.

Props to you for sticking with the SNS that long. THat's one of the reasons I quit trying the breast. Between that and the god awful nip shields, pumping, etc., it was all just too much.  They LC's in the hospital were constantly amazed at how much we worked at it in hosp, but at home it was just too much for us! 

Tinkermeg

melrrr:

Tinkermeg:

Today I met a friend for lunch whose little one only BF and she does not pump. When he started crying from hunger, she had to rush home to feed him. I was able to pull out a bottle and feed my DD at the table.

I wish all BF moms were comfortable with NIP. I had lunch with several friends today and two of us nursed smack dab in the middle of a PACKED hamburger joint! I didn't notice the first shocked/angry/uncomfortable look.

 

True, I think people would notice the screaming hungry baby more.

 I give you credit because I couldn't do it! I don't think I could be coordinated enough to be discreet.

Annie_1208

I was just pumping until recently when I got a nipple shield to "try" and BF ONE MORE TIME, and viola.  It worked.    I still feed mainly from a bottle though. It also gives my DH a chance to feed him and take care of him on the morning shift when DS wakes up at 8am.

I've pumped way more than BF.   As long as your baby is getting your BM, if that's important to you, then that's ALL that matters.  Not what a nurse thinks. 

HappyHeartUSA

I had to stop nursing at 5 weeks because DS would not latch on, still pumping.. it's a pain to only pump, but I like that he still gets all bm.  He just started formula last week- so we are weaning now.

HappyHeartUSA

Word of advice though-- Pump alot in the first week or so, i did almost every 2-3 hours, and it really got my supply going awesome!  I was pumping anywhere from 5-8 ounces a session about 5-6 times a day.

Poplin2007

I'm almost pumping exclusively because DS is in the NICU.  I started being allowed to nurse him on Saturday and I try to be there to do it at least twice a day, but it's hard.  We're having trouble getting the latch right, but I should be able to work with the LC tomorrow.  I really hope we get it figured out before he comes home Friday because I find pumping to be quite a chore.

bulldogmama23

So glad someone posted about this, I was curious myself as I am having latch issues and using a nipple shield, then supplementing with pumped breastmilk, then supplementing with formula every other feeding, then pumping.  Then I try to find some time to do anything before she needs to be fed again.  Sometimes I feel like just pumping so it is good to know there are others out there too!!

mrs.lizzieb

I breastfed for a couple weeks, but due to my thrush and the medication I was on, I started exclusively pumping for a couple weeks.  I tried BFing again later, but it just didn't work out, so I am still EPing.  Although, it can be a pain at times, I really don't mind it too much.  I pump 5-6 times a day and get about 25 oz total, so I still supplement with formula sometimes.  So many people have told me to go back to the breast, but this just works for me better.  I think, in the end, you have to do what is best mentally and physically for you.  The better you are, the better you can take care of your baby.  GL!