Do you think it's a must

aryandnicole

to have a pump on hand in case there are latching problems? Do you think it is better to wait a few weeks after LO is here to purchase a pump? I have a fear of having a low supply. Has this happend to you and what did you do? Can you fix a low supply of milk?

ladyalmalthea

I ended up getting a pump a week in to help with milk since it was slow getting in. I say wait until you are sure you are breastfeeding or know wht kind you need (I just bought a single since I was doing allright and not going back to work.

You can fix a low supply of milk- it takes patience. I just did!

4realyo

I didnt buy a pump until LO was 3.5 wks old. My LC recommended I wait that long to pump so my supply could regulate on its own. If you have low supply you are better off renting a hospital grade pump to help you build up supply so I think its a better idea to wait on buying one since they are so expensive.

mari_gold

I got mine when DS was 2.5 weeks old, but for no other reason than I didn't feel like blowing $250 any sooner than necessary. I didn't start using it for another two weeks.

Nursing is better than pumping at building supply, so as long as latch is okay, you'll be better off doing that.

krisim

I didn't purchase a pump at all because I didn't want to spend the money knowing that I was only planning to nurse for 3 months until I went back to work.  It took 6 weeks for my suppy to really come in and I started taking fennel at 4 weeks which helped enormously.  I think it depends on how long you plan to nurse.  If I had planned to nurse any longer I would have purchased one after a few weeks of nursing.

stressshan

You do not need a pump and many people wait to see if they can truly breastfeed.  But if you are committed then it wouldn't hurt to have one on hand.

CeeMat

I bought mine in 3rd tri but kept it sealed in the box so that I could take it back if I didn't need it. I am a planner and felt better having it on hand.

kattyleigh

CeeMat:

I bought mine in 3rd tri but kept it sealed in the box so that I could take it back if I didn't need it. I am a planner and felt better having it on hand.

I did this. I'm glad I had it because the day after I came home from the hospital, DD had jaundice and was so sleepy she wouldn't latch. My pedi had me pump and add formula to bottle feed her to get rid of the jaundice. It worked and I got her back on the breast no probs the next day when she regained her strength. I'm glad I had the pump on hand. But, haven't used it since...

jacobs32

I bought an Avent hand pump before DS was born to use for engorgement during the first week. I used it over the next 4.5 months for occasional bottles for outings without baby and to help clearing a clogged duct.  I got my double electric (borrowed from a friend) only when in was time to go back to work when DS was 5 months.  I wouldn't have had much use for it before then.  If there is any reason you need to pump regularly in the first few weeks you'll want a hospital grade pump anyway.  Just rent one for a month then go from there.