Stupid Question: Can you start breast pumping before giving birth?

I know some women start leaking at the end of pregnancy. Just curious if you can start pumping before actually giving birth.

Re: Stupid Question: Can you start breast pumping before giving birth?

The delivery of the placenta is what stimulates milk production Anything before that is just minimal leaking.

Re: Stupid Question: Can you start breast pumping before giving birth?

My understanding is that a) this could stimulate contractions that you don't necessarily want (a lot of times women eager to give birth stimulate their nipples although I don't think this is necessarily medically advised)
b) I don't believe your milk really comes in before giving birth
c) if it did come in, the colostrum is what's most important for the baby to get - and it's usually just droplets that you probably wouldn't be able to "capture"
HTH

Re: Stupid Question: Can you start breast pumping before giving birth?

definately DONT pump while youre pregnant.,,youll be wasting very necessary nutrients for the baby..and you will bring on contractions that could be dangerous if your body isnt ready to deliver..

Re: Stupid Question: Can you start breast pumping before giving birth?

Even if you did pump you'd probably only get a couple of drops. I pumped immediately after DS was born and got like 2 drops, and I tried a few times after that and still got droplets It didn't really come out/flow until 2-3 days after delivery.