Pumping and Breast feeding?

Sherri - posted on 09/09/2011

Nope nothing wrong with that in the least. I did that with my 3rd baby.

Mercy - posted on 09/09/2011

Unless there is any problem in breastfeeding, there is no need of pumping and bottles..

Christine - posted on 07/13/2009

There is nothing wrong with pumping breastmilk for when you can't be there, I did that with both of my boys. But I think you'll need to actually allow the baby to latch on when you are present. It's good bonding time and it ensures the baby is getting all the good hind milk. I agree with the other mothers too, I think you'll milk will dry up if you don't breastfeed the baby on a regular basis.

Angela - posted on 07/09/2009

i hated breast feeding. to me it was perverted (nothing personal, this is just how i felt when i tried it). so i pumped and bottle feed, she ate so much better. and when i switched to formula ( i had postpartum and needed meds) it made it very easy.

Melissa - posted on 07/09/2009

No .... i was told by the lactation specialist that pumping is equally as good for mom and baby just not as convenient. I think all moms need a break and will likely breast feed longer if they can have nights away because of stored breast milk. we can't be tied down all the time. plus it helps daddy get some bonding time too. They have really good pumps now that stimulate like the actual baby so no worries about your milk supply decreasing.

Jennifer - posted on 07/09/2009

I think it is perfectly fine. I did it with my 2nd for the first two months because of sore nipples due to latching on issues. I pumped every time I fed him and it worked. I produced 40 oz or so a day which under normal circumstances should be enough but my little on was eating 48 oz a day by 1 month! Pumping & bottle feeding takes more time b/c you have to pump 20-30 min (with a good/double pump) and then feed the baby instead of all at once but it is worth it for the extra nutrients in the milk. I would also say if breastfeeding is what you want to do but for some reason it is uncomfortable, etc this is a great idea. I had problems breastfeeding my first child and was devastated when I stopped at 3 weeks old so when the second one came this was my plan of attack!

Sapphire - posted on 07/09/2009

Quoting Sarah:

Nothing wrong with it, though I just don't see WHY anyone would do it if they were able to feed their baby directly. It just seems so time-consuming and cumbersome and boring compared to actual breastfeeding.

I had this conversation with my friend who only pumped.  She simply hated the feeling of nursing at the breast-period.  She said she also hates her husband playing with her breasts during sex.  I suppose personal preference, right?  Every time she fed expressed BM with a bottle, she pumped for the next feeding.

Sarah - posted on 07/09/2009

Nothing wrong with it, though I just don't see WHY anyone would do it if they were able to feed their baby directly. It just seems so time-consuming and cumbersome and boring compared to actual breastfeeding. If doing it this way is the only way for you to give your baby your milk ---kudos to you for putting up with it! I am very impressed with those who are willing to work so hard to give their children breast milk -- not sure if I'd do the same if I couldn't breastfeed.

Catherine - posted on 07/08/2009

I sucessfully breast fed twins like this for the fisr 14 months anyway you serve it up breast is best! I was nervousand My babies were losing weight dr told me to give them bottles of breastmilk for as long as i could pump thinking at least a few months is better than nothing as many woman "dry up" faster if they just pump, but was very surprised at their 15 month check up to hear I was just switiching the to cow's milk:) Just make sure when you pump you get out as much as you can often and if you get extra freeze it it's good in freezer for 6 months... I've been through just about everything while breastfeeding my children but I believe it was worth every bit!! if you have any questions I can tell you how i delt with it and maybe it will help... mommy2.3.crazyboys@gmail.com

Sapphire - posted on 07/08/2009

I have a close friend who simply hated the feeling of nursing at the breast, and did not nurse at all. But she did pump for 3-4 months exclusively with each child. You have to do what is best for you for each situation. Best of luck to you.

. - posted on 07/08/2009

It was impossible for me to breastfeed so my MIL brought me a Medela breast pump. It was an electronic one.

My breast milk started to decline after my son was 3 months so we topped up with formula. I was amazed at the support I got when my son was switched to formula, I wasn't questioned about it.

My son has been on formula since 3 months old.

You bond the same weither you breastfeed or bottlefeed.

Jennifer - posted on 07/08/2009

You need to do whatever works best for your family!! My daughter was 5 weeks early & is having trouble gaining weight, so the doctor recommended I supplement with bottles at least three times a day. She is only 3 weeks old, but so far she is doing great with both! The only negative is the time it takes to do both. I try to pump while someone else feeds her the bottle to make things quicker! Good luck!

Theresa - posted on 07/08/2009

nothing wrong with it, i breastfed my son for 7 weeks and it hurt me, so i expressed my milk for another 4 months. until he was 6 months. I have only just stopped, but my son was happy and i was to because he was getting the best milk he could get.

ME - posted on 07/08/2009

I did both with my son until he was 6 or 8 months old...then we went on vacation and I forgot my pump...after 10 days of exclusively breastfeeding, I didn't want to go back...but It was really nice when he was tiny and breastfeeding every two hours...I could easily bring a bottle along to a party or dinner out with friends, and not worry about having to excuse myself or embarrass myself or interupt my dinner...do what works for you!

Crystal - posted on 07/08/2009

My son never latched on due to breathing problems. I pumped and bottle fed it to him until he was 6 months old with no issues. I think it's whatever you're comfortable with.

Susan - posted on 07/08/2009

Good for you!!! I have a 4 month old baby girl and I've only breastfeed. But i am having a hard time to get her on the bottle. My husband has to do that part. Just for when you want to go out and leave her with my sister or mom. You become tired when they demand a feed and you now its not 3 hours!! Keep going, you doing a great job!

Missy - posted on 07/08/2009

there is nothing wrong with that! i nursed all 3 of my kids and sometimes you have to do what you have to do. it's always better to give babies breast milk over formula so don't ever feel bad about pumping. hoped I helped or made you feel better about it all.

Meghann - posted on 07/08/2009

Nothing is wrong with it but just be sure to try and breast feed when possible to keep your milk in.

Laurie - posted on 07/08/2009

i had to start pumping earlier than i planned to as i had a terrible gall bladder attack when he was just two weeks old. in the er they ran all kinds of tests until it occured to them that maybe it was the gall bladder - ekg, cat scan, etc. because of the cat, i couldn't nurse for 24 hours, but still needed to express my milk. he also needed something to eat so we gave him formula. i then started pumping and supplementing formula for one feeding a day to build up my supply for when i had the gall bladder taken out. from there on, i still continued to pump pretty regularly. my son never refused the breast or the bottle. he was very flexible/versatile. he just wanted the milk. at 6 months, he was biting me so often that i started to pump exclusively. i just made sure to kind of squeeze them as i pumped to get the hind milk. he's always been larger than average anyway, so i took it as he was getting what he needs. i found it easier to pump, honestly. i wasn't big on nursing in public, so i always had a bottle with me. my milk never dried up - even after i quit pumping - until i got pregnant again. i was a mass producer, for sure! good luck!

Johnny - posted on 07/08/2009

If you are worried about your supply dropping from just pumping, it doesn't have to happen. Check out this support group for moms who exclusively pump, they have tons of info on how to make pumping work. I don't pump exclusively, but their tips really helped me improve the amount of milk I was pumping.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppe...

September - posted on 07/08/2009

I don't feel like there is anything wrong with pumping and then bottle feeding. Your child is still getting the nutritional value from the breastmilk. All though you do lose that special bonding time. Which is what I had a hard time with. To me there is nothing like breastfeeding! You have to make the choice and deside what's best for you and your family utamently. Good luck!

GERRILYN - posted on 07/08/2009

I only pump my milk and also feed formula. My little one refuses to take from my breast. As long as you keep it up your supply will be fine just keep doing it.

Deanna - posted on 07/08/2009

that's the only way I survived BF for as long as I did (4 months) my baby was preemie and couldn't latch properly because she was given the breast milk in a bottle at the hospital

Lora - posted on 07/08/2009

I don't see anything wrong with it. I do both now since I went back to work. It is just easier when I am home to breast feed. Also my son likes it better from the source.

Mona - posted on 07/08/2009

I did both with my boys and it was the best of both worlds. I had those sweet, quiet, bonding moments and I was also able to let others bottle feed when I couldn't be there.

Kelly - posted on 07/08/2009

I wasa never able to breastfeed. My baby was a preemie and in the NICU. I started pumping at birth and still exclusively pump. My little one will be 1 tomorrow. Just a warning, it takes A.LOT.OF.TIME. Make sure you buy or rent a good pump and most need to pump 8-12 times a day for 30-60 min to establish your supply and get the best hind milk. Good luck!

Jenifer - posted on 07/08/2009

Nothing wrong with it at all! My son is 10 months, and he gets expressed milk when he's at daycare. I do still breastfeed when I'm home with him though - it is just so much easier, and keeps my supply up. There are more immunological benefits to having them on the breast for feedings, but there are lots of benefits to getting expressed milk, too. Make sure you invest in a quality pump!

Rachel - posted on 07/08/2009

I find that pumped milk doesn't get down to the good milk as much and that it tends to produce more milk than is needed. But definately try and keep giving breast milk as long as you can as it is ultimately the best thing for your baby

Nicola - posted on 07/08/2009

Nothing wrong with it. I believe that if you only pump that it's possible that you will completely dry up after 5 weeks because when your baby breast feeds, it brings up the hormones in you that keeps your breast milk going.



I had to just pump and then feed my girl with a bottle for a week because my nipples were so sore.



I do think that the more you give the bottle the more he's more likely to only want the bottle and will refuse your breast.