anyone not buying a breast pump? 2+ moms experience as well!

iamflamingo · January 2011

is anyone considering not buying a breast pump or did not buy one/use one with their LO's.

i am pondering the thought of not buying a breast pump since i will be a SAHM and do not mind BF while out.

2+ moms, anyone do this and find that it was not a good plan and bought one anyways?

LifesPeachy · January 2011

I just have a $30 Medela Harmony that I plan to have for emergencies in case I need to pump and run out somewhere I can't take LO. My sister recommended it, she says its come in handy a few times.

Also I remember with DD, I got so engorged when I got home, it really hurt. She could only eat so much but I had plenty to spare! So I had to have DH run out and get a pump just so I could pump and try to relieve some of the pain (warm shower helped too). So I'm glad I have one on hand, JIC.

ReeseM · January 2011

One other thing to consider is that at some point in your baby's first year, you will likely want to go out without him/her, and you will need to have milk to leave for them. And to pump when the caregiver is feeding him/her. Maybe not something you need to have right off the bat, but later on down the road you can decide to get one.

mrsdjm07 · January 2011

I just had the Medela handpump. It was great when I had a case of mastitis and the occasional bottle. DD didn't really care for a bottle, so I actually had a lot of breast milk frozen that didn't get used (I actually found it easier to just nurse). However, I am really glad I have it with another on the way..that way, in some situations where a bottle would make it easier, I will have the means to prepare one.

chicsub · January 2011

If you never plan on going out with DH/friends/etc. or to the dentist, gym, haircut without your LO then I think it's fine. And honestly some people feel comfortable with that and it's their plan, but I am a SAHM and I liked some "me" time as well and DS was a snacker so he was eating every 2 hours for a VERY long time (think 6 months+).

iris427 · January 2011

I think every nursing mother should have a pump. You can buy a manual pump for only $30-40.

Pumping isn't just for moms who don't want to nurse in public. You may find a pump useful if you get engorgement, a clogged duct or mastitis. You will also probably want to be able to leave the baby with people at some point, so you can get some time to yourself, see a movie with your husband or some friends, etc. Your husband may also want to be able to give the baby a bottle now and then.

If you don't give a breastfed baby a bottle fairly often in the first few months (once breastfeeding is established), you may find yourself with a baby who flat out refuses to take one. I learned this the hard way last time and we had months where I basically could not be away from my daughter for more than an hour, or two hours max. A lot of moms need to get away for a few hours every now and then for their mental health, and it's a good idea for your marriage if you and your husband can go out sans baby now and then.

VTbride05 · January 2011

I also stay at home and breastfed our son without feeling uneasy about doing it while out.

Having said that, I was very glad that I had a pump. I had a few times when I had clogged ducts, or DS slept in extra late so I was able to pump and freeze and use later (I used most in cereal when he was 6 months).

Having said that I wouldn't have invested in the most expensive pump like I did. A simple electronic or handheld will work just as well.

GL!

laura&dan05 · January 2011

I'm a SAHM and I have a pump. We didn't buy it until after dd was born and I didn't use it until she was 5 - 6 weeks old. I bought the Madela PISA and while it was probably more than I needed it was great having a really nice pump.

The first time dd dropped a nursing session I didn't understand how to drop it as well and let my supply dry up so I pumped it. Looking back it's kind of funny but over a few weeks I ended up pumping close to 80oz. for a freezer stash. When I finally figured out how to just drop it I had this great stash for the times I was away from her for more than an hour or two. We did use the freezer stash but dd wasn't great about taking a bottle so I think a lot of it was wasted. We also used it to mix in oatmeal when we introduced that around 6 months.

I don't think you need a pump but consider times you'll be away from the baby (date night, girls night out, a wedding, etc.) and what you want to do about feeding. If you're comfortable giving your LO formula then I don't think having a pump is necessary but if you always want to feed breast milk then you'll need some type of pump even if it is an inexpensive one.

wall0307 · January 2011

I bought a nice one last time and only used it 2-3 times. I just felt wierd and uncomfortable using it. It also hurt, and bfing never did. I did bf DS for 6 months and for 4 months he refused to take the bottle. I wasn't uncomfortable giving him a little formula, once he started taking a bottle.

pkate98 · January 2011

here's my 2 cents:

I was/am also a SAHM and BF'd DS a year. I still got a lot of use out of my pump. There were times that I would be engorged and DS didn't want to eat or wouldnt eat enough to relieve the pressure, so it was nice to pump it out and put it in the freezer/fridge. We gave 1 bottle/day to give me a break and allow DH to feed DS. So I'd pump once/day for that bottle. There were a couple weekends I went away, so I had to pump to make a freezer stash for bottles.

So let me just say that having a pump gives you more options when you need them. I also have a cheaper pump that works just fine:

Lansinoh Double Electric

thebigmare · January 2011

Read this blog post from Kelly's Mom:

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/is-pump-necessary.html

izzourclue · January 2011

I considered this too, but I'm so glad I got a good quality pump. I have been using it almost every time I feed in an attempt to get ahead of DD's needs and increase my supply. I pump for 5-10 mins per side after DD gets her fill. I want to make sure she has all she needs and pumping is the best way to get the demand on your system up. Plus the extra bottle a day I've been able to put in the fridge, DH has been feeding and its a really nice break for me. Although I understand you may want to stay away from bottles. DD has not had a problem with nipple confusion yet and she takes from my breasts just as readily as the bottle. I ended up with an unexpected c-section after over 40 hours of labor. So I basically didn't eat for 3 days and c-sections can delay your milk coming in. It took about 4 days for it to start coming in and I've been EBFing now for only 4 days. The only reason is the pumping. I pumped multiple times a day with no BM only colostrum coming out until I started to see BM.

ncbelle · January 2011

I would at least get a hand pump or maybe even a single electric. At some point, you are likely to want to go out without baby and may need to leave pumped milk while you are away.

erbear · January 2011

I'd at least get a manual pump. You are going to want someone else to be able to feed your baby at some point and if you don't introduce a bottle early and consistently, it can be hard to get the baby to take one. When I was home, I pumped every day and DH gave her the last bottle before bed...it was their thing.

krys2729 · January 2011

also, if you end up having any sort of oversupply or are able to pump and store a little milk, that can be used later on to mix with cereal or homeade purees once baby is on solids.

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