I had a horrendously unsuccessful time breastfeeding my first son, and didn't even try w/ the second for fear of the same result. For my third, I'm considering pumping only as an option. Has anyone tried this with their infants and how successful was it?
2006-08-03 07:18:14 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
There's no way to know. Some women definitely can; I have a friend who pumped for over a year for her baby. But there are a lot of women who don't produce enough milk when exclusively pumping. And there's no way to know in advance which category you'll fall into.
You didn't say what your breastfeeding problems were the first time around. If you want to nurse your next baby, I would suggest you attend La Leche League meetings (see sources section below) while you are pregnant. They can give you information ahead of time that can make things go much more smoothly, and if you *do* have problems, you will know who to call.
Just keep in mind that La Leche League Leaders are volunteers who donate their time while raising their own kids. If you don't get through on the first try, call again or try another Leader.
If you do choose to exclusively pump, you need the most effective pump available--a hospital-grade rental pump that pumps both breasts at the same time. Some women may have good luck with a less effective pump, but it's a risk. *No* pump is ever as effective as a nursing baby, so at least get the next best thing..
2006-08-03 07:53:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I successfully pumped for seven months and can tell you that it is definetly possible with a really good pump that you are used to using. The milk supply does start to dwindle down, but if you pump a lot in the beginning you can freeze and store.
The only con is that you are not saving any time if you are feeding the baby also!
2006-08-03 14:35:26 · answer #2 · answered by bullets2112 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a horrible time trying to feed my son. He wouldn't "latch on" to the nipple. Even worked w/ the hospital lactation consultant but in the end I ended up pumping milk and feeding him by bottle. Bonding is important so holding the baby, giving affection and talking to it are important as they feed. For my next one, which is on the way, I plan to only pump and feed by bottle. I am not going to stress myself out and cry over it like last time. No sense in doing that when as long as they get fed and loved by parents they'll be fine. Just have to be really careful about keeping things really clean. Straight from the breast, the milk is fresh, perfect temp and uncontaminated. If you are very good about keeping the milk at proper temp for feeding / storage and the pump & parts as well as bottle feeding stuff clean (which sounds like you're already experienced at it) you should be fine.
2006-08-03 14:26:45 · answer #3 · answered by hoangnkarina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had to do it because i too could not get my baby to latch on. i tried everything, even a lactation nurse could not help me. one thing you should try if your baby wont latch on is a nipple guard, it goes over your nipple and makes it kind of like a bottle, the trick is to express milk into it before your baby starts feeding, you can get them at a pharmacy. as for strictly pumping, it will work for a little while but eventually your breasts wont produce enough milk because a pump does not stimulate your breasts like a baby can. for me it worked for about 4 months. the downfall of it is it is a lot of work. you have to wake up in the middle of the night, feed the baby, get the baby back to sleep and then pump. you have to pump every time the baby eats to keep your milk supply up. it can be a hassel. i think you should at least try it and see how it goes, even if you only do it for 3-4 months at least your baby gets some breast milk and you save some money
2006-08-03 15:08:04 · answer #4 · answered by krystal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you try breastfeeding first - then if it doesn't work out, resort to pumping. It can be done. I have a good friend who is an RN and with her work schedule, it was kind of crazy. - She nursed for the first few weeks when she was home, then pumped exclusively.
2006-08-03 15:12:30 · answer #5 · answered by Amy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you can I did that when my daughter had difficulty latching on(she was a preemie). And you can also work on getting better quality of milk and much more if you pump frequently.
be sure to freeze it too. I pumped every 2 hours and after 3 days I was filling about 5 8oz bottles a day.An 8oz bottle every sitting
PS while in the hospital asked about a breast pump and they gave me a free manuel one that worked great, maybe you should ask too.
2006-08-03 14:37:39 · answer #6 · answered by Tara S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son was only feed expressed milk for the first 2 months. i was starting to lose my supply but he started nursing at that point and i still pumped when i was at work until he was 11 months. i only had a hand pump but i've heard that using a double electric pump is better for your supply. medela makes a good one. they are around $200 but i know that wic helps pay for something too and that's still cheaper than formula and much better for baby. there's a website www.breastfeeding.com that has a section for pumpers only. good luck!
2006-08-03 14:33:06 · answer #7 · answered by justagirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of my 6 month old twins has a deformity of the mouth and can't nurse I feed her exclusively expressed breast-milk. You will need a very good pump I have a medela pump in style it works well.
2006-08-03 14:32:28 · answer #8 · answered by aintgivinup79 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it can be successful with a really wonderful pump. Did you work with lactation consultants on your first two attempts? The third time's the charm, you know.
I'm sure you can make it work - how would our species have ever survived if it actually was hard for our babies to nurse?
Get assistance from a professional lactation constultant or from a la leche volunteer.
2006-08-03 14:26:22 · answer #9 · answered by cassandra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋