Can I start to pump this soon?

Wildlandwife · March 2011

My DH would really like to help with feedings at night and I'd really like go have him be a part of feedings too. My DD is 4 days old, I got my milk in last night. Can I start to pump? For example, just now, I only got her to eat on one side - could I pump the other?

SpartanChick88 · March 2011

I don't really have a great answer - I was told to hold off giving a bottle until 3 weeks when nursing had been established.

I do have to ask though... is that a greyhound in your siggie??

ncbelle · March 2011

It's best to wait 3-4 weeks so that nursing is well established. Some babies have no trouble going back and forth but others will develop a bottle preference and will become lazy nursers. Also keep in mind that you have to pump any time LO takes a bottle so this won't buy you any extra sleep. Finally, baby at the breast is a much better way to build your supply - and this early days matter a ton!

Oh, and BFing the first few weeks is time consuming enough - why add in the hassle of pumping and washing parts and bottles right now if you don't have to?

Matthan2b · March 2011

I say pump the other side and let DH feed baby but be sure to pump while he does and maintain your schedule. My DD took a bottle once a day since birth and had no issue going back and forth. But don't be dissapointed if you don't get much milk while pumping the first few weeks. We used NUK bottles. GL and congrats on BF!

SnoopyLuv · March 2011

I wouldn't this soon. You really risk setting yourself up for oversupply is you start pumping often. And while that sounds like a good problem to have it can make LO very gassy, sick and not help them gain weight. I dealt with this until just recently because I had to pump to supplement. I would wait a few weeks.

You will eventually get into a groove with nursing and you'll be OK without the sleep for a bit. It's more important to get a good nursing relationship going. Make H change baby or soothe baby while you rest. Learn how to nurse lying in bed!

cupcake25 · March 2011

I started pumping when I was in the hospital to help with flat nipples and I just saved the milk I pumped in the freezer. My LO got a bottle at around 2 weeks old and she's been fine. Still EBF like a champ. It's up to you what to do but like PP's said it can be risky and you still have to pump to make up for the lost nursing session because you will risk decreasing your supply if you skip a session this early on. Most websites say wait but it was fine for us at 2 weeks old.

Want a personalized experience?

Can I start to pump this soon?

Re: Can I start to pump this soon?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards