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

AcaAwkward · November 2013

Yes, you really need to pump whenever the baby eats to make sure and protect your supply. Even if you pump more milk than the baby eats in one sitting. Pumping whenever baby want to eat tells your body when to produce milk. Skipping pumping sessions at times when the baby eats has the opposite effect -- it tells your body "no need to produce more milk right now."

Teresa1896 · November 2013

I will also add, after reading all your follow up questions, that it might be helpful for you to read up on breast feeding, attend a La Leche meeting, and/or take a BFing class. I BF for 16 months and regret not taking the class. I was lucky and had minimal pain and no other issues, but most people aren't so lucky.

Holljade · November 2013

seannasmommy16 said:

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

I don't remember pumping during the mid night hours. I had a really good supply from the beginning though, I pumped probably every few hours from 8am to 11pm at the latest- so between 6-8 times a day.

It's really hard to know what to expect because you don't know what kind of supply you will have.

Luma88 · November 2013

Teresa1896 said:

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.

Exactly this. At first I wanted to EP because I was BF hurt so bad and I had to use a nipple shield which was annoying. But in the beginning it felt like you always had to be pumping. Whereas with nursing, once they were done they were done. No need to get ready for the next feeding. Also after pumping at work all day, I was so happy to not have to pump at home!

My best friend would pump on her way to work every morning. I don't think I could do it, but people successfully do!

ream02 · November 2013

To me, pumping I do only when I have to. BF'ing is so much easier. Even if you go somewhere all you need to take along is the bb's and a cover and you are good to go.

With pumping it would take me at least 30 minutes to pump and another several minutes to clean up the stuff and wash the parts. I pump at work only.

with DS I did have to pump exlusively for a while due to some infection issues and my major over supply and it sucked.

seannasmommy16 · November 2013

I think I'll breastfeed and then pump some as well so others can feed the baby too. Exclusively pumping just sounds like a lot of work that I don't think I'll want to do.
One more question. Can you breastfeed and bottle feed at the same time?? Like if DH or anyone else wants to feed the baby will the baby get confused?

AcaAwkward · November 2013

seannasmommy16 said:

I think I'll breastfeed and then pump some as well so others can feed the baby too. Exclusively pumping just sounds like a lot of work that I don't think I'll want to do. One more question. Can you breastfeed and bottle feed at the same time?? Like if DH or anyone else wants to feed the baby will the baby get confused?

Yes, you can. Plenty of moms do -- especially those who go back to work {pump at work and nurse when they are at home}. Even if you SAH, it sounds ideal to pump and have your partner feed the baby so you can rest {and, again, plenty of couples do that}, but for me, that was more of a hassle than it was usually worth... because again, if DH was feeding the baby, I needed to be pumping so my body would know when the baby was eating. 95% of the time, if I was home, I'd much rather be just nursing the baby myself than pumping / storing / cleaning parts & bottles.

Now, if you have an oversupply or if your supply is well-established, then sure, let your husband take a night feeding or take care of the baby while you go out for a while.

I really think the general take away from all of these posts is... usually BFing and/or pumping takes a lot of getting used to at the beginning -- both involve commitment and hard work and discomfort (if not pain). Both can also be extremely rewarding. Eventually, either or both will become easier as your supply normalizes and you get into your groove. I don't think you can expect one to be a "clear winner" before you meet your baby and start to get a better understanding of your nursing relationship and his/her needs.

avidkeo · November 2013

I was really interested in this thread, because I will be going back to work after 14 weeks, while DH will be stay home dad. I have been trying to decide if I will EP or mix it up. Gut instinct at this point is saying to mix it up, but we will have to see.

I still scares me about some of the scaremongering that goes on. This is not directed at anyone because its pretty much out there on the internet on chat boards etc, but there is no actual scientific studies to back up that by BF your breast milk responds to babies saliva and produced antibodies for baby. This is misleading and implies that by not BF your baby you wont make these antibodies for baby. Your body produces antibodies to what is around you, that you inhale/ingest and you pass these antibodies on to baby, but its from being in the same environment, not your body responding to babies saliva - except when you ingest it!

Based on this I am happy to EP if need be, and will not feel guilty that baby may not be getting as much.

What ever you do, as long as baby is happy and healthy, that's all that should really worry you!

AcaAwkward · November 2013

avidkeo said:

I was really interested in this thread, because I will be going back to work after 14 weeks, while DH will be stay home dad. I have been trying to decide if I will EP or mix it up. Gut instinct at this point is saying to mix it up, but we will have to see.

I still scares me about some of the scaremongering that goes on. This is not directed at anyone because its pretty much out there on the internet on chat boards etc, but there is no actual scientific studies to back up that by BF your breast milk responds to babies saliva and produced antibodies for baby. This is misleading and implies that by not BF your baby you wont make these antibodies for baby. Your body produces antibodies to what is around you, that you inhale/ingest and you pass these antibodies on to baby, but its from being in the same environment, not your body responding to babies saliva - except when you ingest it!

Based on this I am happy to EP if need be, and will not feel guilty that baby may not be getting as much.

What ever you do, as long as baby is happy and healthy, that's all that should really worry you!

FWIW, I've actually never heard that nursing produces more antibodies than pumping until this thread (and I feel like I'm pretty well-read on the subject?).

I do (very strongly) believe there are health benefits to BFing, but I do think some people tend to over-exaggerate them for whatever reason... DD was EBF for 19 months and she's had plenty of colds and viruses. Breast milk is pretty amazing, but it's not a magic bullet! Don't let anyone make you feel guilty for choosing what's best for your family!

BiggerinRealLife · November 2013

seannasmommy16 said:

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

---
What did you do the first time, and what's making you want to change? Just wondering.

LEIGHLOVE09 · November 2013

I didn't read all the responses but wanted to share my story. My DD had latch issues so we pumped exclusively the first month. During that time we kept trying and she eventually got the hang of it. BFIng was extremely painful in the beginning, pumping was not. After she got the hang of it I still pumped a ton but nursed at home and at night. When I went back to work at 3 months I pumped during the day (especially the first morning session as that is when I got the most milk) and then only nursed at night. It worked for us. I didn't think pumping was all that time consuming. Ealry days I would pump for 20 min but baby could nurse for 45 min or longer at that point. As time went on I would pump for 10 min and baby would nurse for 15. If anything it saved me time. However, middle of the night nursing is priceless. It is such a pain to warm a bottle and feed at 2 am. I'll be pumping a lot for this next baby as well. I loved the freedom it gave me and I will def try to nurse more at night. I luckily had no supply issues last time, I hope it's he same with this next one.

Rrrrrachel · November 2013

The saliva thing I'm repeating what I learned in breastfeeding class, which was taught by an rn who is also a ibclc. I'm not making it up. Sure you still make antibodies, but not the same ones. And there are studies showing benefits to the jaw and teeth from breastfeeding that you wouldn't get from bottle feeding. I'm not trying to scare manger at all,and normally I wouldn't even bring it up in an ep thread, but the op specifically asked about benefits of the breast that didn't apply to bottle feeding, and there are some.

seannasmommy16 · November 2013

BiggerinRealLife said:

seannasmommy16 said:

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
---
What did you do the first time, and what's making you want to change? Just wondering.

I did formula with my DD, I wasn't super informed with all the knowledge I know now.. I knew about breast feeding but no one ever really talked to me about it so I just did formula. She grew up healthy and is hardly ever sick but I know a lot more know then what I knew back then and I would like to try breastfeeding with this one. I know it's strange but I was young and didn't fully prepare myself like I am with this one.

WhiMiMa · November 2013

My son never enjoyed breast feeding. Even as a newborn he enjoyed biting me hard and then jerking back...it was horrible. I took the boobs completely away at 4 months and exclusively pumped til he turned one. I much preferred it. The only time I got mastitis was when I was breast feeding and I soon had my boobs trained to produce all the milk I needed in 2-3 pumps a day. It also gave other family members to opportunity to feed and bond with my son. For us, it was very special and made our lives easier. If pumping makes your life more difficult, then I def wouldn't do it!

Rrrrrachel · November 2013

seannasmommy16 said:

BiggerinRealLife said:

seannasmommy16 said:

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
---
What did you do the first time, and what's making you want to change? Just wondering.
I did formula with my DD, I wasn't super informed with all the knowledge I know now.. I knew about breast feeding but no one ever really talked to me about it so I just did formula. She grew up healthy and is hardly ever sick but I know a lot more know then what I knew back then and I would like to try breastfeeding with this one. I know it's strange but I was young and didn't fully prepare myself like I am with this one.

It's not weird at all! You did the best you could the first time, but now that you know different you'd like to try something different. That's great! Good for you for seeing past your own experience and being willing to try something new, whether it's pumping or feeding directly from the breast or whatever mix works for you.

myschlove · November 2013

I've only just glanced through some of the comments but let me tell you my story with DS.
I had a very small flat nipples apparently and DS had a really hard time latching. When he finally did he would latch wrong... and I let him because I was desperate for him to nurse. This is obviously a mistake that I will do differently next time! Letting him latch wrong made it even more painful longer than it should have been and after two weeks I got the flu and I had to pump anyway. So I took a small break. Pumping was much less painful because I was doing it wrong. So I pumped and only attempted to nurse once a day for about four weeks and then I would try a couple times a day and then I would try more and after a while I got the hang of it and so did DS! By the time he was 6 to 8 weeks I was only pumping about half the time and I was able to nurse pain-free because we had to relearn how to do it right. Bye for five months I wasn't pumping at all… In fact we were so good at nursing I could pretty much do it in bed hands-free and he'd find himself :-) it is such a rewarding experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world and I'm determined to nurse the right way from the beginning this time! I love having my pump as a backup or for when babies asleep and you're full and you need some relief or for travel etc.! So definitely have to pump (a good one) and use it if you need it but don't give up on nursing altogether!!

Holljade · November 2013

KatieKim0815 said:

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.

Yay I'm not the only one! lol

AcaAwkward · November 2013

ColleenSwerb said:
@lalamama81
Thank you. The bonding and feeding connection drives me insane. DS didn't get a bottle for a long while and DH (and everyone else) managed to bond juuuuuuuust fine.

Talking about bonding With the baby in general irks me though.

Word. My MIL was constantly saying things like "well it's unfair that YOU'RE the only one who gets to feed her!" Uuuuuh, try it's pretty NATURAL that I'm the only one who feeds her right now. There are a zillion ways to "bond" with a baby that doesn't involve feeding it. How's about you come over at 5 pm every night and rock her for 2 hours while she screams her head off for no reason? There's some reeeeeal quality bonding time happening right there.

pineconey · November 2013

I would love for DH to do some bedtime feedings so I can bond with my pillow and blanket....

pineconey · November 2013

Uh I'd pump before. From bed. Duhhhhhhhhh

pineconey · November 2013

Oooh or I'll just have DH hook me up while I'm sleeping. Or I'll sleep with the pump attached and just have him turn it on every few hours.
Will a pump fit under a snuggie?! If yes, I am getting a snuggie.

pineconey · November 2013

LalaMama81 said:

pineconey said:

Oooh or I'll just have DH hook me up while I'm sleeping. Or I'll sleep with the pump attached and just have him turn it on every few hours.
Will a pump fit under a snuggie?! If yes, I am getting a snuggie.

Ooooh, is that an option?!

I certainly plan to find out!!

maddycat · November 2013

I HATED breastfeeding! My daughter was not easy and would feed for like an hour and then suck down a 4oz bottle. She just did it for comfort. I have large boobs 36h so it made it very hard as well. I started pumping right away and was able to get 12oz in a 15 minute pumping session. I found it relaxing. Then we could feed her a bottle and know exactly what she was getting.

seannasmommy16 · November 2013

Rrrrrachel said:

seannasmommy16 said:

BiggerinRealLife said:

seannasmommy16 said:

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
---
What did you do the first time, and what's making you want to change? Just wondering.
I did formula with my DD, I wasn't super informed with all the knowledge I know now.. I knew about breast feeding but no one ever really talked to me about it so I just did formula. She grew up healthy and is hardly ever sick but I know a lot more know then what I knew back then and I would like to try breastfeeding with this one. I know it's strange but I was young and didn't fully prepare myself like I am with this one.

It's not weird at all! You did the best you could the first time, but now that you know different you'd like to try something different. That's great! Good for you for seeing past your own experience and being willing to try something new, whether it's pumping or feeding directly from the breast or whatever mix works for you.

Thanks

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

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