bfing question

I breastfed DS for only 3 weeks... and I gave up. I loved bfing, but hated pumping... can you just bf for the whole three months of maternity or do you need to pump simultaneously.

I am not pregant, but in the contemplative stages. The natural urge to BF is in me, and I want to at least bf while im home with dc 2

bfing question

When I was home on maternity leave, I only pumped enough to get the 12oz I was going to need to send with her for her 1st day of daycare, then I never (or very rarely) pumped at home again. Basically, I only pumped at work. She BF for 13mo.

At the beginning, there really is no need to pump at all, you just need to feed baby on demand to establish your supply. If you want to have someone else give DC a bottle, you can pump a little in the morning after you feed DC, when you have the greatest supply, but I hated pumping so much that I never did that.

Message edited 1/30/2014 10:18:11 AM.

Re: bfing question

there is no need to pump until you go back to work. you can maybe start a bit before to build up a stash but i didnt have a stash, i went day to day with freshly pumped milk.

Re: bfing question

I'm a SAHM, but I rarely ever pumped and hated pumping. I was told NOT to pump until the BFing was established after 4 weeks. I never got a lot when pumping, but Dd got plenty. I hated sitting there, attached to a machine, cleaning pump parts, etc. DD nurses until she was 2 and I got pregnant w/ #2.

However, DD never took a bottle. So if you're returning to work after 3 months, you should probably pump a little and offer bottles too so your LO gets used to them. But I wouldn't drive yourself crazy pumping in all your spare time.

bfing question

I was home the whole time I was bfing and rarely pumped. Maybe 2-3 times a week at the most and even that I didn't start until DD was at least 6 weeks. Other times I would go a week or more without pumping at all. I would probably try to get a small stash before you go back to get you through the first day or two and I always liked to have a little stashed away in case of emergency.

bfing question

you can just bf while on maternity leave and not worry about pumping at all
the only reason you would need to pump is if you will be away from DC and were full.
you would need to decide what you want to do once you are done with maternity leave - if you want to continue with breast milk you would then need to pump, but you could go to bottles/formula at that time

bfing question

You only have to pump if you need to leave milk for the baby while you're away. Or if you want to build up a freezer stash. I was obsessed with getting enough of a stash for when I returned to work so I pumped 1x a day after the morning feedings almost every day after DS was about 6 weeks old.

Re: bfing question

You dont need to pump, especially in the beginning. The baby gets more milk nursing than you pumping.

I hate pumping too. The only reason to pump during that time is if you are going back to work and want to build up a freezer stash; otherwise, I say just stick to nursing (less stress).

Nurse as much as possible to up your supply. I know it can be hard in the beginning.

Kellymom.com has great suggestions!!! It was a lifesaver.

Also those gel soothies that you put in the fridge felt amazing on my nipples.

I also got Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple cream which really helped.

My Brest Friend pillow for positioning.

Good luck!! You can do it and you do not need to pump!

Re: bfing question

you are are amazing!! The made me pump in the hosptial and it really s u c k e d and had I known this maybe it would be different.

Thanks a ton!!

I have the fever for baby #2!!!

Re: bfing question

Like others have said, I would wait at least 4 weeks to start pumping. You can pump a few times a weeks early on to build a little stash. I wish I did this before returning to work because now I have to play catch up all the time.

bfing question

I wonder why they made you pump in the hospital?? I wouldn't worry about pumping at all. Just BF and if you need to leave the baby then pump enough for his/her bottle (or for your freezer stash)

Re: bfing question

bfing question

Pumping is not a BF requirement.

Re: bfing question

I actually pumped right away. DD was born with an injury, which made it very difficult to feed her on my right side. The LC at the hospital advised me to feed her from the left for as long as I would do both breasts, about 30 mins (15/side), and then to pump to get the milk out of the right breast.

It actually ended up working out. I gave DD her first bottle at just 5 days old.

I also prefer nursing but I do pump and recently introduced formula into the mix. You can definitely exclusively nurse while you are home with LO. Good lick!

Re: bfing question

I prefer BF any day over pumping. I see no reason you need to pump for those three months unless maybe your going out for the day and need a bottle. I was never able to pump more then a bottle here and there. I'm amazed by people who have a freezer supply of BM.

Not sure why they would have you pump at hospital. Did you even get much of anything so soon. Good to establish just BF in first few weeks.