How soon can you use a breast pump?

Answer 1

as soon as you are lactating

Answer 2

You can use it as soon as the baby is born. This won't break in your nipples, however, which may become sore due to the baby's first attempt to suckle from them (there are special lanolin creams out there for the soreness that are harmless to the baby).
When you do use the pump, time it according to your baby's feeding cycle. For instance, if he/she suckles for about ten minutes per side, pump for ten minutes on each side at the normal time your baby would feed.
If you pump outside the home, keep the breast milk on ice or in a refrigerator so it doesn't spoil. Breast milk can keep in the freezer for a while, too (a friend of mine kept bottles of it in the freezer for her husband to warm when she returned to school).
Breast feeding does help you lose the extra weight and also acts as a contraceptive when you can't be on the pill or patch. It's also a lovely way to connect to your newborn.
Remember one thing: if your going to be at home a lot, watch how often your baby feeds. I was considering getting one when I had my son, but he suckled so much, there was no need for one.
Enjoy this phase while it lasts....the memories are great.

Answer 3

It is much easier to start after 2 weeks once your milk is in 'full production'. I found hand expressing a lot easier and more natural. The breast pump made me feel a bit like a cow on a farm - pardon the expression. Furthermore, the pump was nowhere as good as I expected it to be, and you need a lot of patience with it. Hand expressing takes a bit of getting used to, but you soon get a hang of it.

Answer 4

straight after birth, i had my daughter 8 weeks early and so she was in intensive care for a time and from the minute i delivered they were encouraging my to express for the sake of my daughter and to give her a better start in life
so your answer is straight away but be warned be relaxed about it as if you are stressed it can effect the amount of milk you produce. you can also freeze breast milk for up to 3 months which is what i had to do so there was always a constant supply at the hospital for her for this you can buy disposable bottles by avent and are really useful
all the best and happy pumping!

Answer 5

I started immediately after my son was born because he was not getting what they called the "hind" milk. He would fall asleep while he was feeding which would in turn leave me still full and in pain.
Make sure you get an electric pump because the manual ones do not work as well in my opinion.

Good Luck with everything. It is the best thing that you can do for you baby.

Answer 6

As soon as the baby is born. When babies are in Special Care, mum's start to use the pump right away. Good luck x x

Answer 7

I was told to wait until about week four, but I see nothing wrong with expressing if there are latching issues.

I just read the answer that said that breastfeeding can be used as contraception when you can't be on birth control---that is NOT true. There is the mini pill that can be taken when breastfeeding, so that should be the birth control used, but remember that breastfeeding itself, whilst lowering the chance of getting pregnant, will NOT prevent a pregnancy!

Answer 8

I have breast fed all 4 of my kids..I cant say I am an expert...but i would say after the first 2 to 3 days...why not contact the NCT...(National Childbirth Trust) and ask a real expert...good luck X

Answer 9

You can pump immediately, but it is suggested that you wait 4-6 weeks to offer a bottle.

Answer 10

As soon as the baby is born. But you need to try & get baaby used to suckling at first. You dont want to miss out on the special night time nursing. Youll remember it the rest of your life. & that builds a bond between you & baby that nothing else can.

Answer 11

Immediately after delivery,well you know as soon as youve bathed etc... You should use it 4 hourly 10 minutes on each side. Probably not get much until day 3 or so.