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Do you need to pump?

MustanGTbaby13MustanGTbaby13 member
in Breastfeeding

This is probably a stupid question- But here goes.

I have been EBFing my little one since she was born. People have started suggesting that I should start pumping so I can get a break every once in a while for feedings....but I don't understand how that would work/why I need to.

Wouldn't I still have to pump to make up for that period of time that I give up the feeding (ie like not going 6 hours between feedings for example)? And won't she eventually get to the point where she isn't feeding every 2 hours and I will have more freedom to go out and do things like get my hair cut without worrying about being interrupted to nurse her?

I guess I just feel like since I am SAHM and not going back to school or work for at least a year, I don't feel like doing all the extra work to pump, but sometimes getting a break is kind of appealing. Any advice opinions?

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Re: Do you need to pump?

  • kacellekacelle member

    You don't have to pump.  Now that DD only nurses from one side each feeding, I pump the other side to store the milk.  But she does still nurse every 2 hours during the day, so I either have to take her with me when I run errands or leave a bottle for someone to feed her.  I know people with babies much older than mine who still nurse every 2 hours.

    I've been working 5 hour shifts lately, and have gone 6 hours in between feedings.  Now that my supply is established, it doesn't seem to negatively impact it at all.  So theoretically you would be able to let someone else feed her a bottle and not pump at that same time on occasion.

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  • Jaimels78Jaimels78
    I bought a manual pump for just this reason.  To have a little freezer stash if hubby and I want a date night or if I have an appointment at the same time as a feeding and need to leave DS with a sitter.  I have a nice stash of about 60oz now.  Enough for an overnight if needed.  I just like to be prepared. 
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  • pitterpatter129pitterpatter129 member
    I don't feel that pumping is a "break".  It's a pain - bottles, pump, flanges, washing, freezing...  It's so much easier to just feed the baby and be done with it.  I only pump at work and in the morning - basically when I have to.  I wouldn't choose to pump if my kid was available to nurse.  If you want to start a stash, you can pump in the morning after you feed LO though.  I always have the most milk then and have a little stash going from that one extra pumping per day.
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  • darmcadarmca member

    no- you don't have to pump. My mother has been bothering me about this since he was born- she wanted me to pump so that she could 'help'. She didn't understand that it took me 2 hours to pump that bottle or just 20 minutes to actually BF him- so it took me 100 minutes more for her to help (I've started taking fenugreek and blessed thistle so it's only taking me 45 minutes/bottle now).

    Some people also don't understand nursing in public and think if you don't pump you'll be stuck in the house. If I'm just running to the store, I'll feed him first and leave right after but I've done a 12 hour trip to a nearby city to visit friends and it was great- I didn't need to bring a thing to feed him- how much easier can you get? I  BF'd twice during the mom and baby movie and got to the restaurant early and BF'd while I waited for my friend and then again during desert (it was a heat wave here with record temps so I think he was nursing more than usual to prevent dehydration).

    On the other hand, you should try to get out for haircuts etc now because it may be a while before LO has more than 2 hours between feedings. My son is 2 months old and eats every 1.5 hours during the day- if I have an appointment I try feeding him before (he never seems to turn down food) and if he needs to eat while we're there- oh well.

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  • Jenniferk08Jenniferk08 member
    Having a little stash isn't a bad thing in case you want to go out one night.  Some moms worry about having a glass of wine and then BF later.  As for the longer times between feedings,  Mj is 6months old and eats every 3-4hrs but he does sleep from basically 7-7 every night.

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  • cittycatcittycat
    I agree with all of the above.  For me, pumping wasn't a break b/c I'd have to take so much more time to pump!  If LO is in the vicinity, I'd rather nurse her.  But if you're planning on going out without LO, try to figure out more than one time to pump beforehand b/c it might take you more than one session to get enough milk. 
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