breast pump question

Jazzyashes84

I'm wondering how soon you start using a breast pump after birth. Do some women need to start using it right away because you have too much milk? Do some women not use one at all until you go back to work?

Is this something I need to have/buy before the baby is born?

 

SaintCity

I had an easy time of breastfeeding and did not use a pump until baby was about a month or so old and I wanted to start building up a stash for the freezer.

I think, though, if you should encounter trouble BF-ing - - - like if baby doesnt latch on well at first, you will want the pump at birth so you can at least give baby bottles of BM until he/she gets the hang of it.

 GL!

katcarls

You don't need to pump right away, provided that your baby is able to nurse.  Your baby is the best for establishing and regulating your milk supply.  Until you are about to return to work, you shouldn't need to pump unless you want someone else to handle a feeding or you need to increase your supply.  Check out Kellymom if you haven't already, it's a good online resource.

It's not really possible to have too much milk (oversupply) right away but it is common to be engorged when your milk first comes in.  If this happens and you're in pain or you're so full that the baby can't latch, pump just a little bit (remove the minimum needed for comfort, don't empty the breast) and then nurse as you normally would.  The engorgement is temporary and your supply will adjust quickly to your baby's demand.  You don't want to pump a lot in this case because that stimulates further production which can cause an oversupply.

Jazzyashes84

katcarls:

You don't need to pump right away, provided that your baby is able to nurse.  Your baby is the best for establishing and regulating your milk supply.  Until you are about to return to work, you shouldn't need to pump unless you want someone else to handle a feeding or you need to increase your supply.  Check out Kellymom if you haven't already, it's a good online resource.

It's not really possible to have too much milk (oversupply) right away but it is common to be engorged when your milk first comes in.  If this happens and you're in pain or you're so full that the baby can't latch, pump just a little bit (remove the minimum needed for comfort, don't empty the breast) and then nurse as you normally would.  The engorgement is temporary and your supply will adjust quickly to your baby's demand.  You don't want to pump a lot in this case because that stimulates further production which can cause an oversupply.

 

thank you for the site reference, very helpful!

526SadieSadie

My doctor advised not to pump for at least four weeks (provided that baby was nursing without a problem) to establish my milk supply. 

If baby feeds from one side and is satisfied, you can always pump on the other side and freeze the milk for later. 

gekeler6

In the past I used it right away to help bring my milk in.  I was not able to exclusively bf due to preemie twins along with latching issues.  I just got into a routine of pumping with my daily schedule.  Since this one is not twins, I think we will have better success BFing, but I did buy a pump that I recieved this week.  I remember sore nipples along with leaking, so I do recommend getting some nipple cream along with pads to stick in your bra (either reusable/washable or disposable ones).   If you aren't sure you will be needing a pump then I would wait and just rent one from the hospital until you know for sure you need one or until you purchase your own.  They can be expensive for double electric, but you may also be able to get by with just a manual pump which are very inexpensive.