Is pumping the same as breast feeding?

Megan - posted on 09/17/2011

I am also exclusively pumping due to the fact that my little guy can not BF. I have been doing it for seven months now and it becomes harder to keep up with supply and demand. This is my second child and I BF with my first and hope that I never have to pump and bottle feed again as I loss alot of precious sleep.
BF and pumping are basically the same thing because they are getting the same nutrients it just varies because unlike BF we can not be sure that they are getting the fore and hind milk in every feed. Also the child is not getting the suck time they need to develop other things. Such as it increases brain function and teaches the baby how to swallow better. However I had a mw and peadritican who said that if I gave him a soother with a longer nipple on it then it would be like simulating BF and help him with his development.
However in the long run like I said earlier it is essentially the same thing but just to warn anyone it does get harder.

Betty H - posted on 04/06/2011

Hi Katie,
I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant giving you advice. Obviously, pumping is not the same as breastfeeding you baby. I am wondering why you are only pumping. Do you have a preemie? Most women do not have their periods for the first six months exclusively breastfeeding, However, a women can still become pregnant. You should check with your doctor because for some women, the mini pill may not be the best answer for a birth control method and it may cause irregular periods. You can visit mt website at http://www.breastfeedingwithlove.com I am really curious to know why you are only pumping. If you live in the Houston area, I can personally help you. Best of luck. Please call me.

Chelsea - posted on 04/06/2011

I would say its not the same, When you heat or warm up breastmilk some nutrients are lost not many and its still healthier then formula of course if you are giving fresh milk then its the same, starting your period is because you started the mini pill, i exclusively breastfed and didn't pump but a few times and soon as i started the mini pill my period came back

Nikki - posted on 04/06/2011

I pumped and fed my first through a bottle. We had lots of issues with actually breastfeeding. I did it for almost 10 months and never had any issues with having enough milk or any problems with my daughter's health. the only reason I stopped pumping was that I was pregnant with my 2nd child and it wore me out. With her, we didn't have any nursing issues, she wouldn't do anything but the breast until about a week before she was 9 months old. I lost my milk when she was about 9 months old. With my first I wasn't on any birth control and with my second I was on the mini-pill. I personally see no difference in the quality of milk for your child either way or with the children's health-both of my girls are very healthy. I'm now pregnant with my 3rd and if I had to choose between the 2 drastics...I would choose pumping and a bottle. If you keep pumping on a schedule and keep it up and don't slack off, you'll do just fine :) and you should have enough milk. I don't know about the periods, I know women who do and others who don't. I personally haven't had periods with breastfeeding. Good luck!!

Cristina - posted on 04/06/2011

i breastfed for 10 months and the milk supply was increasing, the more pumped. actually, i never had to give him formula. i had horrible wounds, i still don't know why, i couldn't cure them so after 1 month of trying i started pumping; my biggest wish was to bf as long as possible and so i did... in the end, it is still breast milk, no matter how you give it to the baby.
and don't worry about the period, it is different for every woman.

Tyrae - posted on 04/06/2011

It's the same. I was told the same thing about the period thing, but mine started 6 weeks after delivery. The postpregnancy bleed ended at about 4 and a half weeks and than a week and a half later I had my period and I've had it regularly since than. I am exclusivelky breastfeeding too. I was so disappointed when I realized I wouldn't be one of those lucky ones lol

Amy - posted on 04/06/2011

You usually won't produce as much milk with pumping vs nursing. The nipple stimulation helps make more milk. I know a gal who strictly nursed and got her period a couple months after baby was born. Myself, I only nursed and didn't have a period the entire 15 month time i nursed. I htink each body is different. If you're worried about supply, there are things like mothers milk tea that can help up it.

Jennifer Ann Saunders - posted on 04/06/2011

While they are not the same, you are still providing your child with better nutrients than formula......Pumping can get tough. I pumped while at work for a year and most of the milk my son took was from frozen bags at daycare. I nursed in the am and pm when I could. I had no problem keeping up my milk supply while pumping. Just don't get frustrating and pump often. Good luck......

Ania - posted on 04/05/2011

Well it is BF but the milk may loose some of its quality when it is standing around for a while plus your supply may go down because the stimulation is not the same, but it is not written in stone. And thats what happens he doesn't want breast anymore. Wait you were afraid he was not getting enough when BF??? it's actually the opposite. While BF baby gets enough plus it is fed on demand while pumping you will get less and less as time goes by, plus babies get more from the breast even in a very short feeding. You should try consistently put him back to breast if you want to keep bf. It can be done but you have to be determined and strong. Offer breast all the time for few days and I mean all the time and he will get it

Elizabeth - posted on 04/05/2011

Isn't the point of breastfeeding to get your child the milk you produce? In my opinion ..who cares how you get it in him as long as you made the milk it's breast milk.

Katie - posted on 04/05/2011

Thank ladys I started pumping due to I couldn't keep up with supply and demand. Also I felt like he wasn't getting enough when I was breastfeeding him. I have been getting 5oz or more when I pump. He has always been a good breast feeder but now that I have given him a bottle he now he doesn't want to breastfeed.

Ashleigh - posted on 04/05/2011

Your baby is still getting your milk and pumping is harder than having the baby feed at the breast.babies can get more out than any pump.Can I ask why you pump?No judgement,just curious.As for your period,it varies from woman to woman.being on the pill may have something to do with your period returning so soon.Also even though you're on a mini pill it can affect your milk supply so you need to watch that.I've always preferred to stick with condoms and spermacide just to be certain that my milk supply wasn't affected.

Liz - posted on 04/05/2011

No, pumping isn't the same as breastfeeding if you're asking about natural child spacing.

Ecological breastfeeding involves frequent feedings, no bottles/pacifiers, sleeping with your baby, nightfeedings, etc.

Christina - posted on 04/05/2011

I have been pumping for 13 months. I have an IUD so I've never really had a period, but I've never heard you aren't supposed to have them while you bf anyway. I had problems with her latching on, even when using a nipple shield, so I started pumping & bottle feeding. It has worked out great and is super convenient for me. I would say it is the same, but I'm no expert...all I know is she still gets the better nutrients from bf than formula, and thats ok by me!

Emily - posted on 04/05/2011

No, it's not the same. Pumping is pumping, and breastfeeding is breastfeeding. It's the same milk, but the process is definitely different. Also, a nursing baby will get different qualities of the milk (foremilk, hindmilk, etc.) throughout the nursing session, while pumped/bottled milk is all mixed together. Can I ask why you're pumping instead of nursing? Typically, over time, pumping will not give you the same amount of milk as if the baby was just nursing. That is really the biggest risk of only pumping. So it is worth it to try to get baby back to the breast if you can.

Celeste - posted on 04/05/2011

Pumping isn't as efficient at removing milk as baby, so I'm not sure if it would have the same effect as if you were directly nursing as far as your period.. Though, it does vary woman by woman, even if you were nursing..

Tara - posted on 04/05/2011

It is still considered breastfeeding. As far as your period is concerned... Some women when they breastfeed it delays their period for a few weeks, months, the entire time they breastfeed, or not at all. A friend of mine had her period start about 8 weeks after delivery, mine didn't start until 6 months after delivery, and another friend didn't start for over a year after delivery and we all breastfeed. It varies from woman to woman so it isn't anything to be concerned about. And you are still fertile while you breastfeed, it is an old wives tale that says you can't get pregant while breastfeeding so it is good to take the necessary precautions against getting pregnant too soon. I hope this helps.