Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

Did anyone NOT have any issues with pain, trouble pumping, soreness, infection etc?

I have to say I'm a bit scared right now.

I plan to Exclusively pump as I need someone to help me feed two babies in the middle of the night, and b/c for us it will just work better...

But I'm very apprehensive ...I'm afraid of all the issues and problems I keep reading about.

For purely selfish reasons of course, I just want to make my life with 3 kids 2 and under as easy as it can possibly be for us all.

TIA!

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

My sisters kids just went right to the breast. She never had any issues with supply or any problems when she was pumping. And had minimal pain for the first 2 weeks.

If you are just pumping you shouldn't have the pain. The pain is usually from the little bugger latching on or clamping down. Just start the pump on a low setting and work your way higher. Also a little olive oil on the horns does wonders Good luck

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I had pain & soreness in the beginning. After 4-5 weeks of EBF and pumping 2-3x per day...no pain whatsoever!

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

Thanks guys ...Thats much better to hear

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

BF-ing for me has been great. I had a tiny bit of soreness when she first latched the first week but that's it. She took right to the breast right after birth and latched perfectly. The only thing is I have such a fast flow that she coughs and spits up sometimes but i've learned to stop her if I hear her gulping. Good luck!

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I never had pain or soreness. I got a blocked duct a few times which was painful, but never any nipple issues.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I've been exclusively pumping since DS was 2 months old. We always had latch issues, and I found it much easier to pump. The pump does not hurt me like DS did lol. The only time I felt pain from the pump was because the horns I was using were too small...I got bigger ones & no more pain.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

never had any soreness, cracking, terrible pain etc....DS latched well so i suppose that helps. as for the pumping it's not comfortable but it's not terrible either.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

i did have slight issues, but i dont think they would have been different if i had actually nursed instead of pumped... i developed mastitis at 3 weeks pp... but that was my own fault for and i learned from that experience to sterilize the pump alot more often, i actually started sterilizing it right before i pumped which with the added heat actually helped.... as for pain, for the most part i had no issues except when i was pmsing as well as when i was preg (and didnt know it)... i made it 10 months had mastitis once and really that was it...

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

Fortunately no major pain and as was mentioned in the posts above having the proper parts really helps.

I think that most people will agree that it's not so much the pain but the committment that is most difficult. You have to keep up with a schedule and realize that if the baby is not stimulating your supply you are going to have to work that much harder to keep it up. It's really about dedication in my opinion.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I EBF and only pump/give a bottle when Im not home to nurse..

For me...pumping is easier then nursing (except for the cleaning pump.bottles part) there is NO PAIN while pumping...and its quicker... I prefer to nurse though...

3 months in... and no infection... I did have a clogged duct- but thats because DS sleeps through the n ight and I often get engorged...

While it was uncomfortable it def. wasnt bad...

I say try it...if it gets uncomfy- you can always stop!

ETA- I use lanish cream before and after pumping and feel it helps alot!

Message edited 8/24/2009 9:43:28 PM.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I really haven't had ANY issues - knock on wood!!! I just have an obscene habit of feeling my boobs all the time (mostly to see how full they feel but I think I do it unconsciously sometimes too ... I should be fun to watch when I go back to work!!).


ETA: I don't pump exclusively but I'd say it's about half & half now and if I'm lucky I will still get to nurse twice once I go back but I'll be pumping all day at work

Message edited 8/24/2009 10:51:40 PM.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

i havent had any pain at all from pumping. Like someone else said- the only pain/tenderness i've had is when she first latches on (for like the first 5 seconds or so). But, never with the pump.

I dont really know much about exclusively pumping (i dont really know much about BF'g in general, actually lol) but i have heard that you should have them nurse (if possible) in the first 2 weeks to get your supply up b/c babies are more efficient than the pump. I've also been told not to pump for the first 2 weeks, but i did it by the 4th or 5th day anyway and still had a great supply, so i guess it all depends on You and whats best for you guys!

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I exclusively pumped for 10 months. I'm not gonna lie... it was uncomfortable/painful for quite a while, but nursing was probably worse. I never got an infection. And even though it was a pain, I don't regret it... it felt like the right thing to do for my daughter, and I'm glad I did it.

I'm curious, though... why not bf during the day and just pump enough for the overnights?

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

Besides a bad case of mastitis (that I caused myself) nursing has been a breeze for me. I had little pain and soreness on my nipples, and a clogged duct or two.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I didn't have any issues with Joseph. I nursed one side & pumped the other to double my supply.

Personally I would think exclusive pumping adds to the work because the time you spend pumping, you could be feeding. Then after you're done pumping, you're feedings & then cleaning bottles.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I pumped exclusively from 8 wks on to a year & never had any issues/pain aside from one clogged duct at about 6 wks (when I was still nursing on the breast). It can be done.

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I had no pain or anything whilst pumping, and I did it for 8 months. I had some engorgement, but nothing out of the ordinary

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I exclusively pumped for about 8 months and didn't have any major problems. I had to deal with 2 clogged ducts within the first month, but I was able to massage them out. Otherwise, no problems!

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

Re: Another BF'ing...pumping Question...About Pain/effects

I had engorgement issues. Way too much milk. When that all got sorted out, all was fine.

My left nipple hurt at times, but never cracked.

My LC told me once the nursing pad is wet, change immediately, I went through so many in a day. I think that helped by keeping nipples dry.

I won't lie. I am not looking forward to nursing again. But, its free. If there is pain, it fades.

good luck!