Question about BF: Exclusively pumping?

Karenin · May 2011

I heard someone mention pumping exclusively the other day and I had never heard of that. I'm planning to BF and will need to pump when I go back to work etc. but I was curious about this.

I plan to BF, but I was also hoping to pump some of the time so DH and I can share feedings at night, but at my BF class this weekend they said you should not give a bottle for a few weeks to avoid problems with BF. I must admit, I know it's just my own neuroses, but BF kind of grosses me out. That doesn't mean I won't do it- I am totally convinced it's the right thing for me personally, but I wonder if pumping might make me less squeamish.

mpaden · May 2011

I BFed my DD for 6.5 months and during the last few weeks, I pumped exclusively. I did it for a medical reason but I feel like pumping took away some of my favorite perks of BFing- the convenience of having the baby's food ready to go at the right temp at any time, and the lack of dishes! I hated washing all the pump parts and bottles all the time! It also got harder to pump because at 6 months, my DD was crawling, so I couldn't just lay her down and have her right by me while I pumped- she'd just crawl away- I'd have to wait til her nap or my DH was home and sometimes the timing wasn't great. I think pumping is a God-send in a lot of cases, but if given the choice, I'd rather just nurse and have it done with no clean up or advance prep! Give nursing a try when the baby gets here- you don't have to make any set in stone choices, you can just see what works best for you. Who knows, it might not bother you at all.

I forgot to add- my lactation consultant recommended starting my DD on pumped BM in a bottle around 4 weeks of age, that way BFing was established but she was still open to taking a different kind of nipple. We introduced the bottle around this time and we never had any problems. I have a few friends who waited quite a while longer and were unable to ever get their babies to take a bottle for whatever reason. I pumped about 1-2 times per day when DD was tiny because I had class and that way DH could feed her Like I said, it worked well, but I hated pumping full time!

miller4285 · May 2011

This may be a good alternative for you. You'd still be giving breast milk to your baby, which I am assuming is the main reason you want to BF?

As far as nipple confusion: I think it varies by baby. I started pumping the day my son was born. I nursed mostly, but knew I'd be returning to work in a week (I don't have luxury of maternity leave, unfortunately-so I had to start by making my body think there was a very high demand, so i'd have a stash started). So I also introduced bottles right away to find nipple he liked. I had no problems nursing/pumping and he never had any nipple confusion. If there was food...he was game!

dairygirl19 · May 2011

It can be done and is more than likely in my plan.

My SIL EP'd for twins for a year. She wanted to breastfeed exclusively but it just wasn't in the cards for her for a host of reasons. That and she'll be the first tell anyone breastfeeding made her squeemish and fast.

She just decided to pump, found her groove ASAP and rolled with it. She never had a problem.

Everyone is different and if it works for you, go for it.

amylou252 · May 2011

Two things- my best friend started pumping in the hospital (at the suggestion of her lactation consultant) and often feed him from a bottle during those early weeks. Her son did great. He will be a year old next week and she is still feeding him breastmilk.

Second, my SIL was also very squeamish about the concept of breastfeeding but still wanted her new daughter to have the benefits of it. She has been partially formula feeding and partially breast feeding since her daughter's birth and has only ever pumped.

Just wanted to let you know that there are other methods out there other than the "ideal" discussed at your BF class. Good luck!

MCH77 · May 2011

OP I agree with you about BF... ick. I am going to do it (it is better for the baby and free), but I have no desire. My plan is to not pump at first, maybe it will be better than I think (please!!!). But if BF is not my thing, I have my pump already to go and I will do that.

momtoRaegan041008 · May 2011

I EP with my daugher. I BF for a week and it just wasn't working. She was constantly falling asleep at the boob and even after her feeding for 15-20, then I would put her down and she would be up an hour later. I wasn't sleeping and neither was she. It wasn't working for us. So I tried pumping and that's what I stuck with. It was a lot of work. You are still up every time your baby is and even then sometimes more. I EP for a year. Once I got on a schedule, it worked for my family and I. I am really hoping BF goes better for us this time, but I would EP again for this child. My child getting breast milk was really important to me. I'm not saying we never had to supplement, but I was able to pump enough for her to still get some breast milk after she was a year old.

aesf · May 2011

I hope to EP. I will bf for the first few weeks - until we have a milk supply and schedule and then im *hoping* to switch to EPing. I say this knowing this is not every case, but there are too many women I know personally who could never really get a moment away from thier baby due to BFing. I want some freedom. (Again, i knwo thsi isnt everyone. I know the majority of women have amazing experiences but to me its not worth the risk). Plus I want DH to help out with feeding not just changing.

Firefly9 · May 2011

A friend of my pumps exclusively--she was having trouble with latching and inverted nipples, and it was finally just easier for her to pump and give him breastmilk in a bottle. I don't think there is anything wrong with that if you need to do it, or if you choose to do so. But, I also don't think there's anything to be squeamish about when it comes to breastfeeding--it's natural, babies have been doing it for thousands of years. It's your choice, in the end.

llcoolay · May 2011

I cant for the life of me undersdtand why someone would want to exclusively pump? I LOVED BF and there is nothing gross about it at all!! You will feeI the bond with your baby while you BF that can not be replaced by anything else. think that pumping is difficult and although well needed (in my case) I couldnt ever think of a reason why i would exclusively pump out of choice?? Get over the grossness of this becuse its the mostnatural thing you could ever do for your baby......GL and remember to see a Lactation Consultant when your in the hospital. Insurance will cover it and she will help tremendously!

idonthavethis · May 2011

I EP'd with my LO starting when she was 3 weeks old and I stopped when she was 14 months old. She never latched the correct way and wasn't getting enough bm. Honestly, I would not recommend it to anyone (that's just my opinion)--it was so time consuming, the pump was always with me wherever we went. It was hard when I was home alone with her, trying to entertain her with a pump attached to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she was able to receive the BM for all that time (with no supplements), but it was just exhausting.

With this one, I'm going to do whatever I can and use all possible resources to get her to latch and be able to BF.

lissiealkie · May 2011

DS had a tight frenulum and could not latch on. I pretty much had no choice. As far as for your squeamish concerns, that might be the better thing for you to do. It isn't all that fun to be honest. It is a little cumbersome and unless you have a hands free pump, you're stuck sitting there for about 20 minutes. I wish DS could have latched because I heard wonderful things about how much of an additional bond there is with BFing. I was not able to bond with the breast pump. LOL.

miller4285 · May 2011

llcoolay:
I cant for the life of me undersdtand why someone would want to exclusively pump? I LOVED BF and there is nothing gross about it at all!! You will feeI the bond with your baby while you BF that can not be replaced by anything else. think that pumping is difficult and although well needed (in my case) I couldnt ever think of a reason why i would exclusively pump out of choice?? Get over the grossness of this becuse its the mostnatural thing you could ever do for your baby......GL and remember to see a Lactation Consultant when your in the hospital. Insurance will cover it and she will help tremendously!

I can kinda understand some moms just not wanting or not into having a child attached to their boob on and off all day. Doesn't bother me, but everyone is different. Someone may feel BFing just isn't their style.....but they really want child to reap benefits of breast milk. I say kuddos for at least trying for the breast milk part of it and not automatically just choosing formula (no...that wasn't a shot at FF moms either....since I know there may be a Sensy McSensitive who reads it that way).

I say it allows for a little more freedom while getting good benefits, nutritionally. Now, exclusive pumping is not my choice (I'll be doing both BF and pump)...but I can totally see the EP point of view.

llcoolay · May 2011

lissiealkie:
DS had a tight frenulum and could not latch on. I pretty much had no choice. As far as for your squeamish concerns, that might be the better thing for you to do. It isn't all that fun to be honest. It is a little cumbersome and unless you have a hands free pump, you're stuck sitting there for about 20 minutes. I wish DS could have latched because I heard wonderful things about how much of an additional bond there is with BFing. I was not able to bond with the breast pump. LOL.

My son had this too...they have things called "nipple extenders" it helped termendously.

llcoolay · May 2011

miller4285:

llcoolay:
I cant for the life of me undersdtand why someone would want to exclusively pump? I LOVED BF and there is nothing gross about it at all!! You will feeI the bond with your baby while you BF that can not be replaced by anything else. think that pumping is difficult and although well needed (in my case) I couldnt ever think of a reason why i would exclusively pump out of choice?? Get over the grossness of this becuse its the mostnatural thing you could ever do for your baby......GL and remember to see a Lactation Consultant when your in the hospital. Insurance will cover it and she will help tremendously!

I can kinda understand some moms just not wanting or not into having a child attached to their boob on and off all day. Doesn't bother me, but everyone is different. Someone may feel BFing just isn't their style.....but they really want child to reap benefits of breast milk. I say kuddos for at least trying for the breast milk part of it and not automatically just choosing formula (no...that wasn't a shot at FF moms either....since I know there may be a Sensy McSensitive who reads it that way).

I say it allows for a little more freedom while getting good benefits, nutritionally. Now, exclusive pumping is not my choice (I'll be doing both BF and pump)...but I can totally see the EP point of view.

Why would you EVER need to have the child attached to you all day and night??? Why not just pump and breast feed alternating..............thats my point?? Why do it exclusively? lso........Anyone that thinks BFing is gross needs to grow the F-UP...thats my opinion and Im sticking to it. Its natural and beautiful and so NOT gross.

miller4285 · May 2011

llcoolay:

Why would you EVER need to have the child attached to you all day and night??? Why not just pump and breast feed alternating..............thats my point?? Why do it exclusively? lso........Anyone that thinks BFing is gross needs to grow the F-UP...thats my opinion and Im sticking to it. Its natural and beautiful and so NOT gross.

LOL! I didn't mean (or say) attached on ALL day. I said "on AND off" all day long....too, NOT attached all day and all night. I know some people have quit BFing because they *felt* like they were constantly attached to baby (though I know and you know and everyone KNOWS it isn't CONSTANT.

I understand your side completely. You just said you don't understand doing it exclusively, I was just pointing out where I can see the appeal to some people and why. Personally, I think that if I found BFing "gross"..I'd also find pumping gross. But people have different personal rationale for different things. I loved BFing (But I will admit, there was a time when work got so busy I was pumping more than nursing and almost went for the EPing....it was a VERY appealing thought at the time. It really was becoming a lot easier to pump.....but I kept at doing both)

And there are some people who just find it gross. They can't help it. I don't think it's always a matter of "growing up". For some, it IS a maturity issue-yes (in which case, they probably need to grow up because they probably are immature in other aspects as well). For others, it is just a sensory issue. Or even just that they can't think of it another way. Simply a hurdle they have tried, and can't, get over. BUT, what's important is that those who do it are at least open to the idea of trying an alternate way of giving breast milk to their child. My LC (instead of trying to change parents mind on BFing) would actually speak to them about the possibility of EPing. She felt if they already decided on FF for certain reasons, they were usually more open to the idea of pumping.

llcoolay · May 2011

miller4285:
llcoolay:

Why would you EVER need to have the child attached to you all day and night??? Why not just pump and breast feed alternating..............thats my point?? Why do it exclusively? lso........Anyone that thinks BFing is gross needs to grow the F-UP...thats my opinion and Im sticking to it. Its natural and beautiful and so NOT gross.

LOL! I didn't mean (or say) attached on ALL day. I said "on AND off" all day long....too, NOT attached all day and all night. I know some people have quit BFing because they *felt* like they were constantly attached to baby (though I know and you know and everyone KNOWS it isn't CONSTANT.

I understand your side completely. You just said you don't understand doing it exclusively, I was just pointing out where I can see the appeal to some people and why. Personally, I think that if I found BFing "gross"..I'd also find pumping gross. But people have different personal rationale for different things. I loved BFing (But I will admit, there was a time when work got so busy I was pumping more than nursing and almost went for the EPing....it was a VERY appealing thought at the time. It really was becoming a lot easier to pump.....but I kept at doing both)

And there are some people who just find it gross. They can't help it. I don't think it's always a matter of "growing up". For some, it IS a maturity issue-yes (in which case, they probably need to grow up because they probably are immature in other aspects as well). For others, it is just a sensory issue. Or even just that they can't think of it another way. Simply a hurdle they have tried, and can't, get over. BUT, what's important is that those who do it are at least open to the idea of trying an alternate way of giving breast milk to their child. My LC (instead of trying to change parents mind on BFing) would actually speak to them about the possibility of EPing. She felt if they already decided on FF for certain reasons, they were usually more open to the idea of pumping.

I agree with you completly and if I sound close-minded on this topic I am sorry. This is one of those things I feel deeply about and have a difficult time not judging others on...im working on it. I just wish people would stop thinking something so natural was "gross."

Have a great week!

matt&lateefah · May 2011

I was told by my OB not to pump for at least 6 weeks just for production reasons but she mentioned that if I planned on BF'ing, i shouldnt give the baby a pacifier or feed from a bottle for the first 6 weeks bc of nipple confusion. I plan to do the 6 week thing then begin pumping bc I want my husband to be able to feed the baby as well. I think as long as the baby gets the benefits of BM it doesnt matter whether its from the breast or pumped and served in a bottle....its still breastmilk!

Im not so sure what I think of the whole 6 week breast only thing anyway, I take care of babies who have been in the hospital since birth and have never been to breast yet mom is able to produce and pump a ton of milk! I guess I'll just have to see how things go!

frogyie · May 2011

MCH77:
OP I agree with you about BF... ick. I am going to do it (it is better for the baby and free), but I have no desire. My plan is to not pump at first, maybe it will be better than I think (please!!!). But if BF is not my thing, I have my pump already to go and I will do that.

This I know the benefits of BF but I don't know if the breast part is my thing yet. Only time will tell.

aesf · May 2011

llcoolay:
miller4285:
llcoolay:

Why would you EVER need to have the child attached to you all day and night??? Why not just pump and breast feed alternating..............thats my point?? Why do it exclusively? lso........Anyone that thinks BFing is gross needs to grow the F-UP...thats my opinion and Im sticking to it. Its natural and beautiful and so NOT gross.
LOL! I didn't mean (or say) attached on ALL day. I said "on AND off" all day long....too, NOT attached all day and all night. I know some people have quit BFing because they *felt* like they were constantly attached to baby (though I know and you know and everyone KNOWS it isn't CONSTANT.
I understand your side completely. You just said you don't understand doing it exclusively, I was just pointing out where I can see the appeal to some people and why. Personally, I think that if I found BFing "gross"..I'd also find pumping gross. But people have different personal rationale for different things. I loved BFing (But I will admit, there was a time when work got so busy I was pumping more than nursing and almost went for the EPing....it was a VERY appealing thought at the time. It really was becoming a lot easier to pump.....but I kept at doing both)
And there are some people who just find it gross. They can't help it. I don't think it's always a matter of "growing up". For some, it IS a maturity issue-yes (in which case, they probably need to grow up because they probably are immature in other aspects as well). For others, it is just a sensory issue. Or even just that they can't think of it another way. Simply a hurdle they have tried, and can't, get over. BUT, what's important is that those who do it are at least open to the idea of trying an alternate way of giving breast milk to their child. My LC (instead of trying to change parents mind on BFing) would actually speak to them about the possibility of EPing. She felt if they already decided on FF for certain reasons, they were usually more open to the idea of pumping.
I agree with you completly and if I sound close-minded on this topic I am sorry. This is one of those things I feel deeply about and have a difficult time not judging others on...im working on it. I just wish people would stop thinking something so natural was "gross."
Have a great week!

Pooping it totally natural.

SnowyBaby · May 2011

I understand that I am late to this issue, but I would like to add, that I too, am one of the people who plans on EP. No question about it. I can see both sides of this-however, I am not someone who will get any comfort out of breast feeding.

Someone can tell me how natural it is, but that does not make me ever want to breast feed. I felt this way for a long time and did not know a way around it. Finally I came across someone saying they EP. I was amazed! For the first time I felt comfortable enough and realized that I would not have to give my child formula.

I understand that it is very natural, but it is just not for me. There is something about that just totally grosses me out. I can't say why I feel this way, but I am glad that I have found a solution that will allow me to give breast milk to my child.

As for anyone else who will breast feed, I think it's great! You are doing the "natural" thing. I have no issues with what others choose to do....but this is my choice.

Tikat · May 2011

It definitly can be done- but is a huge PITA...all the parts and washing them gets old in a hurry. However if you don't mind dishes and being hooked to the pump every 4 hours in the first 3 months it's doable.

I would never do it again by choice - but maybe DD2 will be a lazy little sucker too...

AmandaP678 · May 2011

I EP for 13 months. I had intended to bf, but it wasn't in the cards for me. DS wouldnt latch. It was a lot of work and time consuming, fortunately I was able to mass produce and empty out quickly but I think it was worth it. I hope I don't have to do it again, but if I had to I would.

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