STM. Exclusive pumping vs. Breastfeeding? No rude comments please.

seannasmommy16 · November 2013

Okay so I want to give my baby breast milk but I'm on the fence about how to go about it. Will the baby still get the same benifits as it would from breastfeeding? Will my nipples be less sore from the pumping? I know full time pumping is a lot of work as well, just looking for some advice on both breastfeed and full time pumping if any of you ladies have done both.

nikki912 · November 2013

If you can avoid exclusive pumping I would recommend it. Obviously if that's the best option then go with it, you'll be doing a great thing for your baby. But from my own experience pumping was only something I did when necessary. BF was much easier an convenient. But that's definitely only my experience.

Holljade · November 2013

I will be exclusive pumping. I enjoyed my pumping time last time, it was oddly relaxing.

I have found I am pretty much the only person who does it out of choice, most only EP if they have to.

nicole mackenzie · November 2013

I'd be interested in this too. Right now I make more than DH. He may be taking care of baby and it may just be easier when I go back to work to only bottle feed.

I don't even know if I would be able to keep up production pumping... I work 10 hour days with 2 hours worth of commute. Might be hard to pump frequently enough to keep up?!

Holljade · November 2013

Oh and my nipples hurt immediately from bfing and didn't not from pumping. However the longer I did it they did get sore and sometimes even bled. I think it has to do with the type of pump and the settings.

kwolslager · November 2013

BF is easier, you just need your boobs, possibly a nibble shield, and a cover if you're out and about.

With EP you need a good double electric breast pump with all working parts, and even spares. Storage containers, or storage bags. Freezer space if you plan on building a reserve. Bottles, etc.

I am an exclusive pumper. I tried breastfeeding but (TMI) my nipples are very flat. Even with a nipple shield it was nearly impossible for me. Exclusively pumping is no walk in the park. It takes dedication and hard work. For me it was very rewarding, I was still able to give my baby my milk even though BF was a problem.

katiedidthat · November 2013

Baby gets the benefits of breastmilk but not necessarily the benefits of breastfeeding (if that makes sense). When a baby nurses directly from the breast our body recognizes certain things in their saliva and creates milk that is perfectly in tune with their needs and immune systems. Plus, exclusive pumping is hard and seldom lasts as long as breastfeeding since your body may not respond as well to the pump. I wouldn't want to exclusively pump just because of the time commitment.. 10-20 minutes on a pump 8 times a day PLUS having to wash and sterilize bottles for a full day, and getting up at all hours of the night to heat bottles AND pump? No thanks, not for me, haha. My pump hurt my nipples worse than my son did, really, since it was the same suction the entire time.

junebug1027 · November 2013

I exclusively pumped for 10 months due to issues we had early on. I can tell you 100% if I had a choice I would have preferred to nurse. There are things you don't think about like pumping while someone is driving, extra time cleaning bottles and pump parts, and basically doing double work. I felt like I was always doing math of how much she had, when to pump, if I would have enough for the whole day, etc, but I just barely pumped enough for each day. I hope that nursing is easier this time around because I can't imagine keeping up with pumping and a toddler! Do what works for you but I think nursing in most situations is easier.

Teresa1896 · November 2013

I hated pumping with a fiery passion. Nursing was soooo much easier. I pumped at work because I had to; if I stayed at home, I would've nursed exclusively. Maybe the occasional pumping session/bottle feed.

Rrrrrachel · November 2013

Pumping will make your nipples sore, too. Pumping gives most of the benefits of breast feeding, but not all of them. When you bring baby to the breast there are . . . Things, idk what they're called, that pick up their saliva. This is how your body knows if your child has been exposed to a virus or something and helps make antibodies,etc.

LBStewart · November 2013

I pump at work and nurse at home. DD turns one on November 16th and I am counting the days until I am done pumping. I'll continue to nurse morning and bedtime until she's ready to fully wean. Pumping has been a blessing to me because it has allowed me to still breastfeed even though I went back to work when DD was 7 weeks old. That being said, I still 100% prefer to nurse over pump. It's definitely easier than pumping.

Knufflebunny2 · November 2013

I exclusively pumped with both of my kids. I liked the freedom that it gave me to run errands. I also liked that it allowed for other people to help with feedings. I also thought it took a lot less time, because I could pump a bottle in 10 minutes and feed the baby in 10-20. It sometimes took me like an hour to breastfeed. I tried to stick with breastfeeding with my 2nd baby, but it was so frustrating, my boobs get so full that that I kept having to pump a little before I breastfed anyway, and even then the milk would come out so fast it would choke him and he would turn his head and tear off my nipple (it felt like it anyway).

seannasmommy16 · November 2013

Wired question and may be slightly immature on my part but do your nipples get use something sucking on them all the time? The only time my boob come into play is during sex so I've always wondered this. Will the baby try and bite the nipple?

katiedidthat · November 2013

They definitely get used to it. They 'toughen up' so to speak after a few weeks (months for some). I've been feeding from one breast exclusively for quite awhile now- since May actually- and the nipple I feed on is pretty much immune to anything, while the other has gained back the feeling, so its not permanent. My son is 12 months, has 7 teeth and has never bitten me, but some babies do try to bite when teething. Usually they say that if you express pain loudly and remove the baby they will quickly learn that biting = hunger and stop.

Bluebird2318 · November 2013

Exclusive pumping was HARD. I would not have done it if I had a choice. It takes more time (time to pump and time to feed, whereas BF does both simultaneously) and you have to deal with cleaning bottles.

Holljade · November 2013

I didn't think pumping took so much extra time and effort. It was simple for me. But like I mentioned, I am in the minority.

I also think your milk supply has something to do with it.

homediva · November 2013

Yes, you get used to it! After a while you don't even notice. The baby won't try to bite you and even when their teeth come in, it isn't typically a huge issue!

DemoDoll · November 2013

Everyone is different so that's a hard question to answer. I know some of my friends said the pump hurt worse than BFing. From personal experience I enjoyed BFing for the following reasons:

-it sucks when you are pumping and your baby is crying.

-cleaning pump parts isn't fun, your nipples need no cleaning.

-after the initial 2-4 weeks of painful nipples during BFing, it actually doesn't hurt at all to BF but pumping tugs at your nipples with plastic, not a warm, squishy mouth.

-when your kid is hungry it's so much faster to throw them on your boob rather than run to the fridge, grab milk, wait for it to warm since you can't nuk it, then feed your kid, while it's screaming.

-sitting in a pumping position is not comfortable at all. You can lay down when you nurse, so comfy.

-pumping is annoyingly loud

-pumping costs money if you use bags, nursing is free.

Can you tell I hated pumping? Lol. But, the beauty of it all is you can decide as you go. We had latch issues and supply issues so to give my nipples a break I EP for 2 weeks. I hated it and went back to BFing and didn't pump until I went back to work. You can do one or both or whatever you want. You'll figure out what works best for you.

J&NL · November 2013

Pumping was a hassle for me. Your nipples WILL be sore the first few weeks of nursing but they do get used to it. I used lanolin to help with the pain and ice packs. After a few weeks, I never had sore nipples or anything. BF is so convenient compared to FF or pumping, but that's just my opinion. If you don't have to EP then I wouldn't. Educate yourself as much as you can before you BF so you know what to expect and are prepared for it.

Bluebird2318 · November 2013

I'm also gonna throw it out there: I got HORRIBLE scabs on my nipples from the pump early on. I thought my nipples were falling off.

Rrrrrachel · November 2013

Another drawback to pumping is it doesn't stimulate your supply the same way. That may or may not be an issue. You also don't get the tooth and jaw benefits to baby because you're bottle feeding.

strawberrytree · November 2013

Honestly, once you make it past the first 6-8 weeks or so, BF is easy. Your body gets used to it and any pain or discomfort goes away (in my experience, at least). There's no need to prepare a bottle and no clean-up required beyond changing a breast pad or two- pop baby on the boob, nurse, pop off. No need to lug bottles with you or worry about bringing enough milk anytime you leave the house- just pop on and pop off. When DS woke in the middle of the night, instead of getting a bottle ready and sitting in a chair feeding him I just brought him to bed with me and nursed him side lying and we'd both drift off to sleep after a few minutes.

I SAH so I have never pumped more than an occasional bottle (as it turns out, my kid hates bottles anyway so it was all for naught), and I hated doing it once a week so I can only imagine what it is like having to do it 10x a day. Several moms I know who went back to work before their LOs were a year old dropped pumping when their babies were around 8/9 months old and switched to formula during the day and BF when they were at home since they found it to be such a hassle and were struggling with supply, since the pump is not nearly as effective as baby.

As far as nipples go, after the first 6 weeks or so I didn't even notice any tenderness. Now that I'm pregnant again, holy hell there can be a lot of pain when he latches on, but it only lasts a couple seconds. My son tried to bite me once when his first teeth were coming in, but they learn fast that the nursing session ends when you try that. If you are planning to stay at home with baby for any amount of time before going back to work I'd suggest you at least give BF a go while you are at home.

Tantan2779 · November 2013

I pumped for the first year. I also have flat nipples. No problem with milk production & the pumping sessions get less as the baby eats more / less often. At the end I was only pumping 3 times a day getting way more than DS needed. Nipples still got a little sore & it is a pain in the butt to travel. I can't compare it to BF though because it didn't work for me. I am going to EP again this time.

JoelleOK · November 2013

There are pumping bras so you can pump hands free. You might be able to pump in the car as you commute to work and back.

Sisimama10 · November 2013

JoelleOK said:
There are pumping bras so you can pump hands free. You might be able to pump in the car as you commute to work and back.

What. Mind blown.

AcaAwkward · November 2013

Put me in the I Hate Pumping camp. I found it uncomfortable and cumbersome, even with a hands free pumping bra. So many more things to clean and prepare. And pump parts wear out! My friends who EPed replaced their pump parts every 3 mo to maximize their output. I also do not respond well to the pump at all -- DD never once had an issue getting full from the breast (after the initial 3 week period when my milk took forever to come in and she was very jaundiced so we supplemented for those 3 weeks), but I had a miserable time trying to produce with the pump.

My hat goes off to EPers - I could never do it.

LindsayPDX · November 2013

I really loved breastfeeding but did not enjoy pumping at all. I went back to work when DS was 14 weeks for six months and pumped three times a day. I was happy to provide for him, but it was not enjoyable for me. I found the pump a bit painful and never had that problem with him nursing. I loved the cuddles, eye contact, and bonding of nursing. I did not like the work, noise, washing pump parts, transporting milk, etc with pumping.

It doesn't have to be either/or. You can nurse most of the time and pump so that your DH or others can help with feedings. We did this sometimes so that DH could take one of the night wake-ups.

Your body does get used to nursing and it shouldn't hurt after the initial few days or at most a few weeks. Sometimes a baby might try to bite, but when they are latched and actively nursing they physically can't bite because their own tongue is in the way. There are lots of strategies for biting! I think DS did once or twice and it was an accident. You might like to check out a couple breastfeeding books. The Nursing Mother's Companion and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding have tons of info.

Tantan2779 · November 2013

Sisimama10 said:

JoelleOK said:
There are pumping bras so you can pump hands free. You might be able to pump in the car as you commute to work and back.
What. Mind blown.

I pumped a lot in the car, but never while driving!

Sisimama10 · November 2013

Tantan2779 said:

Sisimama10 said:

JoelleOK said:
There are pumping bras so you can pump hands free. You might be able to pump in the car as you commute to work and back.
What. Mind blown.
I pumped a lot in the car, but never while driving!

I'm laughing thinking of flying down the highway topless with the pump pumping away!

Holljade · November 2013

I didn't like bfing bc it felt like rocks smashing on my nipples and had bloody crusty nipples within hours of first feeding DD. I didn't consider it a plus or bonding to have a baby attached to my boob all the time. But that's just me.

I also liked knowing exactly how much my baby was eating. With pumping you know exactly how much the baby is getting.

The thing is your never really going to know until you do it. When DS is born, I'll probably pop him I the boob at first bc it's something that feels right (which might sound contradictory but it's my truth), If I go by past experience I'll quickly go to EP bc it was what I liked and worked best for me.

Either way I don't think you're going to get out of feeling some pain and exhaustion

Holljade · November 2013

mummyofsix said:

I have done more than my fair share of EPing for when my babies were too preemie to nurse and it sucks. While it is of course better than FFing, I cannot fathom why anyone would *choose* it. Is there a reason why you won't just breastfeed?

I feel like when you EP you lose the benefits of both FFing and BFing. BFing is SOOOOO freaking easy (once its established) and I love it because it helps me be lazy. I don't have to get up in the middle of the night, I don't have to wash anything, I don't have to remember to bring anything etc etc. FFing is not easy but at least your body is 'yours' and anyone can do it etc.

When you EP you are not escaping nursing. You are just breastfeeding a machine. You can't just do it when you feel like it or STTN etc. You have to be committed to a strict routine of 'feeding the pump'. Then you have to clean it, put the milk away, wash the bottles and so on. THEN you have to feed the baby. You lose the convenience of both options.

I do know people who have pumped for their children for 12+ months and it was HARD. I have a good friend right now who is BFing her 4th child after EPing for her first 3 (at least a year for each) and she is amazed by how easy it is compared to pumping. If its your only option of course its better than the alternative, but if you can at all choose to BF I definitely would.

I'm not really a fan of how you worded that, but I'll answer it anyways:

Because I liked pumping better. It worked for me, it was comfortable and convenient. The way people describe EPing on here is NOT how I experienced it. My experience was very positive.

Holljade · November 2013

mummyofsix said:

If you're offended by that, you're being hypersensitive. You've said many times in this thread how overwhelmingly positive and happy you are with EPing so why care if I ask the OP (not you) why she won't breastfeed?

Don't see a personal attack where there isn't one.

::sigh:: I didn't say I was offended. I said I wasn't a fan of your choice of words. it didn't sit right with me.I didn't take it as a personal attack on ME, but since I chose to EP I figured the question applied to me as well. Maybe I took it the wrong way, I don't know.

seannasmommy16 · November 2013

mummyofsix said:
If you're offended by that, you're being hypersensitive. You've said many times in this thread how overwhelmingly positive and happy you are with EPing so why care if I ask the OP (not you) why she won't breastfeed?

Don't see a personal attack where there isn't one.

I haven't really picked what I'm going to do.. I know what breastfeeding is and what it consist of so I'm getting more info of what exclusively pumping is.. I mean the sore nipples and feeling like my boobs were going to fall off isn't something I'm a big fan of but I haven't really decided

thomas930 · November 2013

As for treating nipple pain and injury, I just want to suggest trying Motherlove Nipple Cream

This stuff seriously saved my nips. and I'd start using it in the hospital after the very first feeding. It comes in a small container but it last forever since you don't have to use very much...I actually still have some left over from DS and I used this stuff after most feedings for a year. I used it after pumping too.

snowclouds · November 2013

I EP for 10 months. It's hard and nursing would have been way easier if it had worked. This time around if BF doesn't work, I'll only be pumping twice a day.

Some things to think about:

-You have to feed baby and pump around the clock so for the first 2 months that 8-12x a day and pumping 8-12x a day including the middle of the night. When K would wake up at 2am to eat, I would heat his bottle and feed him and then get back in bed and pump and then 1.5 hours would be gone and I knew I'd be up again in 1.5 hours...very tiring.

-You have to pump when you are visiting friends, family, having a party, driving (yes, I did this and know many people who did also).

- My nipples stopped hurting from the pump after a couple of months, but I had to experiment with flange size a lot.

-When you go out, you have to have your pump and parts, milk for baby and all that.

Either way your baby is getting BM, but nursing is easier if it goes well for you guys.

LolaX2 · November 2013

Ugh I had to EP with DS he was born early and had latching issues. Pumping made my nipples so soar! I EP'd for 7 months and had enough of a stash built up to last until DS was 12 months and switched to whole milk. While it was nice to be able to build up a stash and have other people help with feedings, or when I was out and someone was babysitting, it would have been much preferred to be able to at lest nurse sometimes. I am ver much hoping to be able to do a combination this time.

If you do pump much a good double electric with a hands free bra makes it MUCH easier. One other thing that helped me is that I was able to hold DS in my lap and feed him a bottle of already pumped milk while I was pumping once I built up a little supply. It helped with taking less time but also helped with my letdown of milk while pumping to have DS right there!

Sarahjess06 · November 2013

We do both.... Breast feeding is much much more convenient...

However I always got excited visually seeing how much milk I could get out! It really is liquid gold!

Your nipples get used to it.... Just part of the process, but keep lanolin on hand!

Rrrrrachel · November 2013

A good nipple butter like mother love or earth mama angel baby is sooooooooooo much better than lanolin! Handy for bf or pumping!

KatieKim0815 · November 2013

I exclusively pumped for 8 months. It was by far the right thing for me. I felt it was empowering to see how much I was pumping. It takes work but not as much work as people built it up to be for me. I found it far harder to BF. And BFing just wasn't right for me but yes they do get the same benefits!! It was an amazing experience.

selina1113 · November 2013

No one ever told me with my first how much BF hurts! I probably would have stuck with it longer if someone had warned me, and reassured me it gets better. Instead, I threw in the towel and went to pumping after 2 weeks. I was in pure agony during every feeding session. My nipples were blistered and bloody.

I will try harder this time around, but give all you BF moms sooooo many props!

seannasmommy16 · November 2013

Do you have to pump 8 to 10 times a day or can you pump less and store what you have pumped? Do any of you ladies remember your pumping sechdules

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STM. Exclusive pumping vs. Breastfeeding? No rude comments please.

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