Pumping vs not pumping?

mrs07c · April 2010

(FYI I did try to search but it keeps giving me an error message grrr!)

I've been following some of the boards on and off for a while now and am wondering is there a major difference between pumping and bottle feeding vs. feeding straight from the breast?

Thanks Ladies!

AMYfromKY · April 2010

Well obviously the baby is still getting all of the antibodies and the rest of the goodness from the BM with both.

My LC says (and this is just one ladies opinion) BFing is 90% emotional and 10% nutrition. Basically she is saying when you BF there is this whole experience you miss out on if you pump and bottle feed.

I did both and I will tell you I prefer BFing. It is easier (no time pumping, washing parts, bottles, etc), but if I was in a situation where my baby would only get BM if I pumped- I would do it.

Pumping and bottle feeding is a huge task! If that is what you want to do you must be prepared to pump every 2-3 hours for the first 8 or more weeks. This is really hard to do when you have a fussy newborn who does not understand you need 15 minutes to pump. We both sat and cried while I pumped sometimes. It does get better though. I made the switch from pumping to BFing around 7 weeks so I never got to the "it gets better" part, but I've heard it does.

Hopefully this helps you out. Some people will tell you BFing is so much better for the baby emotionally and others won't. In my opinion the milk is what matters. As long as you are feeding your baby, that is all that matters.

brittbritt9621 · April 2010

i do both, it gets frustrating sometimes when LO cant latch on...he usually has no problem but at night he gets sooo excited for feedings and acts all crazy, so its good to have a few bottles on hand

arlegs · April 2010

IMO, BFing is so much more than just the nutrients. Its quiet time for you and LO, bonding time where you just get to sit and look at them and really realize how wonderful they are. There were times when I would come home from work and could not wait to BF to have that reconnecting time with DS. I never got that feeling with the bottle. Although if the only way you can get them BM is to pump then def do it.

4realyo · April 2010

As far as nutrition goes, they are bothing providing breastmilk for your baby, which is best and wonderful that you are able to do so.

I have always ebf & never supplemented so this is just my thoughts on it. Everyone I know who has tried to pump & give a bottle ends up having supply issues or supplementing with formular or not being able to do it very long. I know there are cases where moms have managed to exclusively pump and provide enough for their babies, but I would say it is very hard to do. YOu have to be committed to pumping and wake up round the clock to pump the keep your supply. Its much easier to keep your supply up through nursing. On one hand its easier to nurse because you dont have to take time to pump & then give a bottle. But on the other hand its tougher because you have to take care of all the nighttime feedings and dont get a break like if someone else could give a bottle. Its really what you are committed to doing

snicksnack · April 2010

I do both. At first I think EBFing is the way to go it is much easier than having to clean bottles etc... My DH gets up with me and changes her diaper at night and then I feed her. The pump is nice because now I can go out and DH can feed her or my mom or MIL can watch her if we go to dinner. Also, I do not like nursing in front of people mostly because it makes others feel weird so it is nice to not have to remove myself to feed her.

madhatter2003 · April 2010

ditto the others...I did both. I nursed when I was home and pumped at work. I can tell you that for me I MUCH MUCH preferred nursing. There is an emotional side to it that you just don't feel hooked up to a machine.

I pumped because giving breastmilk was my #1 concern, so you do what you have to do. But for example now I just nurse 2x a day and don't pump at all, it's more for the emotional side of nursing rather than the 'milk' at this point (my DS gets cow's milk the rest of the time)

PlainandTall · April 2010

I'm curious where your question is coming from- What are your impressions and ideas about what lies ahead and what it is you are seeing on these boards that has you asking this?

mrs07c · April 2010

Thanks ladies

Plainandtall- it wasn't one thing that triggered it. I knew I've always wanted to BF and DH supports this 100% I have very few friends that have recently had children (last 5yrs or so) that have BF so I have only 1 or 2 to go to for information.

My SIL is dead set against it but she had her own reasons for not doing it with her two children. We will be BF I just wasn't sure if one option was better of there other. I have looked into my local LLL and they are an hour away so that has me a little nervous as well seeing as how the two I would go to for advice one has been amazingly helpful with info throughout my preg but is 2hrs away and I feel like I drive her insane. The other well she took a turn towards drugs 2 years ago- her daughter my God Daughter who she BFE for the 1st year as a single mom now lives with her Nana; so I can't get much info from her nor do we talk currently.

PlainandTall · April 2010

I always had to drive an hour to get to a LLL meeting- but I also have to drive that far to go to my Dr. or to go to a good grocery store too- so I just did it- and always felt it was worth it- even though it's hard to do with a newborn. You might want to call the LLL leader and talk to her a little right now- just to let her know you are out there. Sometimes meetings are hosted in people's homes or other locations- and it's possible that one month someone who lives closer to you will be hosting the meeting. Also it's possible that there are other mothers in your neck of the woods who are also wishing there was a meeting closer- if the leader does not know you are out there- she can't take your needs into consideration. I'm not saying that will happen- but it could- so just touch base and let her know you are out there. It's also great to go to a few meetings even before the baby arrives. Telephone counseling is also one of the parts of being a LLL leader- so know that you can call her if you need some support- you might want to establish a relationship now so you are more comfortable reaching out to her (than if she is a total stranger) if you have a point when you are struggling. (FYI- a leader is not an IBCLC- they can help you work through a lot of issues- but you should think of them more like an extremely knowledgeable sister- than as a medical professional)

I've nursed 3 kids so far and never pumped or fed any kind of milk from a bottle. I think breastmilk is a great thing- but I also think that the biology of nursing is part of what makes it so great. There are benefits of breastmilk which can be pumped out, stored, and re-fed to the baby... but there are components inherent to nursing that are lost in that process.

Pumping used to be (and still is!) a fantastic way to ensure that mothers and babies who could not nurse- could still have breastmilk. Pumping part time is also a wonderful way for mothers to maintain their milk supply and manage other aspects of their life in order to extend the breastfeeding relationship for the duration they desire. But more and more (and I have noticed a big shift in attitude in just the 12 years since I've been a mother) it seems that some women approach their body as a breastmilk factory without embracing or respecting some of the less tangible aspects of it that are not measured in ounces.

Above and beyond the doubled work, equipment, time, privacy and storage issues- here are some other things to consider when considering the difference between pumping and feeding stored breastmilk and nursing.

https://www.bflrc.com/ljs/breastfeeding/shakenot.htm

blog about a very common thing that women deal with in storing their milk- lipase:

https://uncommonmisconception.typepad.com/home/2005/09/whats_that_haml.html

forum posts about it:

https://forums.llli.org/showthread.php?t=297

oral development:

https://www.brianpalmerdds.com/bfeed_oralcavity.htm

Q&A about storing milk in plastic vs. glass, frozen vs. chilled... vs nursing

https://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t026900.asp