A unique breastfeeding question...

basdenjn6 · August 2015

For any STM+: I would like to express breastmilk to feed my baby via pump, but for a number of reasons I don't plan to ever feed from the breast. When I get closer to having to return to work I plan to mingle in feedings of formula in case I'm not able to pump often enough at work and my supply dwindles.
Have any of you pumped from the very beginning or do you have experience with feeding baby both breastmilk and formula? I know it can be done but I was hoping for some tips from moms who've been there?
Thanks in advance!

twogirlsandagreen · August 2015

Search for a thread titled "pumping only" it pretty much addresses this.

komorebi · August 2015

There are a bunch of pumping threads on the breastfeeding board too (so many i feel like it should be it's own board.)

mack1737 · August 2015

My second son had such bad reflux that he couldn't nurse from he beginning due to the positions of breast feeding. Sooo, I nursed him just in the hospital and until my milk really came in, then I exclusively pumped for 6 months. It was a pain in the butt but I knew it was best for him. I pumped every time he ate, then I fed him. It was very time consuming. I also woke during the night to pump once or twice. I did produce a lot of milk but also took fenugreek and ate a lot of oatmeal to help with production. Breadtfeeding is always better for production but it's definitely possible with just pumping. Once he hit 6 months, with the addition of solids, I did half pumped milk and half formula until all my pumped milk stock was gone. He did fine with that. I slowly decreased the pumped milk until he was on all formula for about 6 months. He did fine with the transitions.
Hope this helps

monkeybaby10 · August 2015

My second was in the NICU for a month. When she was able to, she became accustomed to nursing only once per day. Other than that and until about 4 months old, I pumped. I had an over abundance of milk frozen and eventually stopped as she became very ill (pyloric stenosis) and required surgery. I say do what you can for as long as you feel comfortable and can. Best of luck!

basdenjn6 · August 2015

Thanks everyone - but most of the posts I've searched have a long list of people saying "it's hard, just breastfeed". I'd love to hear from anyone out there that may have done this and been successful.

basdenjn6 · August 2015

Thanks @mack1737

amberrmariee20 · August 2015

basdenjn6 said:
Thanks everyone - but most of the posts I've searched have a long list of people saying "it's hard, just breastfeed". I'd love to hear from anyone out there that may have done this and been successful.

I just pumped from day 1 until 6 months... My son was tongue tied and couldn't latch. It is a lot of work though !

basdenjn6 · August 2015

@mack1737 and @amberrmariee20 did you have to do anything special to stimulate your milk supply since you didn't BF or did you just have to keep up the pumping?

JamieDubs · August 2015

It can definitely be done. I know of situations (though not first hand) where moms pump to feed their premature babies who are kept in hospital. They don't actually breast feed when they are in hospital with the babies because they add formula to the breast milk to help bulk up the babies.

mack1737 · August 2015

Just have to keep pumping! If you slow down your milk supply will decrease quickly, I also took fenugreek supplements and ate oatmeal everyday.

amberrmariee20 · August 2015

basdenjn6 said:
@mack1737 and @amberrmariee20 did you have to do anything special to stimulate your milk supply since you didn't BF or did you just have to keep up the pumping?

I pumped every 3 hours, even during the night when baby slept !

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