Using a breast pump.. BEFORE birth

sjra1028 · May 2015

So I've been reading up on breast pumps.. Thanks Google. Lol
I'm a STM but couldn't bf with my first due to lack of production. Luckily, my insurance covered a breast pump this time around. My OB said that it might help boost my production if I have problems again.
Well of course I found a site about pumping 2-3 weeks before you're due and freezing it that way your baby can have that much more colostrum(even though it would be very little). BUT I've also heard that this can cause contractions and labor.
I HIGHLY doubt I'll do this bc I'm having a c-section and my OB doesn't want me going into labor. I just wanted to hear thoughts and opinions for curiosity sake.

Miz_Liz · May 2015

I have never heard of this, but would think that this would be a huge no-no since you would trick your body into thinking there is already a baby here to feed and your milk will come in (yes, I understand you want to increase your supply), and then when you go to BF baby the first time in the hospital, they will not be getting the ever so important colostrum, they will just be getting regular breast milk. You could probably call the LC at the hospital and ask them, but personally I would not.

emmacake08 · May 2015

My LC and I already discussed a version of this. She had said that if I notice leaking before baby comes, to gently hand express small amounts and save it. Since my LOs were dairy and soy intolerant, there's a good chance she will be too so a little bit of stored milk would be nice. She indicated though that it would be very small amounts because you don't want to stimulate a supply past the colostrum stage. I would think a pump would be to aggressive. Once baby is born, that's a more appropriate time to use aggressive pumping regimines to increase supply.

love4yourlocks · May 2015

I would give the lactation consultant at the hospital you are going to deliver at a call and ask. Also maybe ask about what herbs/supplements you could maybe start taking now to help boost your milk production.

jesselayne8 · May 2015

I used my Breast pump everyday for a week before I had DS. Started at 39wk4d to try and stimulate labor. There was nothing to keep or freeze but I also never leaked beforehand.

sjra1028 · May 2015

I definitely won't be doing this. I was just surprised bc why do it if it can cause you to go into labor?

@emmacake08 How would I go about saving it? I know I'm a couple of months early. Haha but I'm curious. My OB wants me to consult with the lactation specialist after my c-section, but I wanna make sure I'm doing everything I can prior to.

sjra1028 · May 2015

@love4yourlocks I tried calling and of course their answer was to sign up for the $50 breastfeeding class to answer all of my questions. Lol all about the money.

emmacake08 · May 2015

I got little mini medela bottles when my boys were preemies that are just small cylinders that screw into a pump. She was telling me to use those for just getting a few mL or breast milk storage bags and then to combine the small amounts once LO is here. They don't need much at the beginning so even just an ounce total would be a little bit of a buffer. My LC lets us call the hospital with questions and they'll give us a call back. I can't believe they'd charge you to come in!

I'm going to wait and see if I can get even a little milk. I didn't leak at all before I had them and I haven't yet so far. I'm not going to push it if I don't.

sjra1028 · May 2015

@emmacake08 awesome advice! And yes! I think it's bc they're trying to promote their new classes. They were bought out by 1 of the big hospitals downtown, so they've changed everything.

kat+1 · May 2015

STM and I have to chime in here my 10 month old is still breastfeeding, lic said that he would not take the colostrum from baby girl because my body knows that she hasn't arrived yet. Labour and deliver signals colostrums real production. If you do pump and you feel Braxton hicks contractions stop. But honestly if you didn't bf with you first it's not a good idea to be messing with your production. I would say wait for baby it's going to take some extra time for your colostrum and milk to come in because your not going in to labour. Some of my friend who had c sections had to pump after every 3 hours and feed baby to trigger milk. I would say it's worth it to find a LLL or LC to Hear about options. And 50$ for a be class might be a great starter for you to have success with this baby if you are able to BF

jakesjess · May 2015

jesselayne8 said:
I used my Breast pump everyday for a week before I had DS. Started at 39wk4d to try and stimulate labor. There was nothing to keep or freeze but I also never leaked beforehand.

I'm so glad you wrote this! I read nipple stimulation is the only actual way to induce labor. Did it kind of work?

GirlOnTheBeach · May 2015

I took our hospital's breastfeeding class and the LC there said to pump for about 5 minutes (no more) on each side starting no earlier than 38 weeks. She said that the baby would still have colostrum at birth because birth is what signals milk production to eventually start. The reason she suggested pumping early was so that you'd have some colostrum on hand if you happened to have some kind of issue with breastfeeding at the hospital.

jesselayne8 · May 2015

jakesjess said:

jesselayne8 said:
I used my Breast pump everyday for a week before I had DS. Started at 39wk4d to try and stimulate labor. There was nothing to keep or freeze but I also never leaked beforehand.
I'm so glad you wrote this! I read nipple stimulation is the only actual way to induce labor. Did it kind of work?

I went into my induction at 40wk3d contracting every 2 min but they were non painful and they did not cause any cervical change. So I am not sure if it helped at all.

holli0801 · May 2015

I have only heard it to speed up labor. More recently my friend tried it after being a week over due and for her it didn't work.

jorstad1 · May 2015

I used the pump to stimulate labor

breezymeema7 · May 2015

I've never heard of this...interesting. If I hit 41 weeks, I may whip out the pump!

cubberss · May 2015

sjra1028 said:
@love4yourlocks I tried calling and of course their answer was to sign up for the $50 breastfeeding class to answer all of my questions. Lol all about the money.

Find out when your local LLL meets and start going to meetings now. They will be able to answer all your questions, and you'll have a support system in place for afterward.

Yiggle09 · May 2015

I read the only true way to bring on labor is nipple stimulation. Whether that be pumping or playing from DH im not sure. Again, I cannot remember where I read this but that was the fact I took away from the site.

Want a personalized experience?

Using a breast pump.. BEFORE birth

Re: Using a breast pump.. BEFORE birth

Choose Another Board

Search Boards