How do you know when to start pumping

momtoo4

I will be 36 weeks tomorrow and I think I have more anxiety about BF than delivery.

When do you start pumping? Is is possible to start pumping to soon? I will need to work on building a supply but do you wait for your body to regulate itself first?

heather_09_15_07

Um, you can't start pumping until after the baby is born. Preferably, wait 3-4 weeks after.

tyke29

I waited until 6 weeks and had no problems, but next time I plan to start sooner.  I would wait atleast 2 full weeks.  You need that time to figure stuff out. 

heather_09_15_07

I apologize for the snarkiness of my earlier response. I read it as you wanted to start pumping soon, meaning before the baby came. Sorry.

You should wait at least a few weeks to allow your body time to adjust to teh baby's needs. Expect some engorgement the first few weeks and while it's tempting to pump to relieve it, you would really only make it worse by doing that.

kim1989

I started pumping at 4 weeks