I am breastfeeding now and wondering if I can just pump my milk and bottle feed my baby. Has anyone done this?

Question

My breasts are really sore and it would free up some time so I can be with my family. Also daddy really wants to feed her as well.

Answer 1

I've been doing it since the first week - so I can get some sleep, then continue until now because my son is in the daycare.

Answer 2

Yes you can do it but make sure you still offer breast every now and then like maybe once or twice in the day. Expressing doesnt feel as natural as baby suckling. I lost my milk after i started expressing, but my flow was always up and down anyway, both my kids were impatient, if the milk didnt come out as soon as they latched on, they let go. Then it was impossible to get them back on again so expressing and bottle feeding was the best way for me to go. It also made it easier because i only have small breasts but they really filled to bursting within an hour of a feed and i really mean bursting(i had a permanent fountain in my bra). I also found it easier that when he fed on one side i pumped from the other at the same time then i drained the other. the only problem with expressing is that breast milk is designed so the first half is more watery to slake thirst then it gets thicker for the feed. I found that bub sometimes would feed either longer or shorter depending on need thirst or hunger but breast milk in
bottle mixes the milk so i found bub would feed less often but more in a feed.

Answer 3

It is always best to feed directly from the breast. The baby can control how much watery foremilk and how much fatty hindmilk they get. They can control how much they get, wheras with a bottle the bottle drips and it is hard for them to control, in addition people always feel the need to get the baby to finish the bottle. The baby passes germs to you that you in turn make antibodie against.

Your baby is far better at emptying your breast and stimulating your supply. You are less likely to get mastisis and blocked ducts if your breastfeed instead of pump. Breastfeeding forces mom to take much needed breaks.

Feeding baby with a bottle *may* cause nipple confusion. It may make the baby's latch worse and therefore more painful than it is now.

If you exclusively pump it will take up far more of your time than feeding. My friend will NOT breastfeed and she is up every 3 hours to pump (or else she can not make enough) and her baby has been sleeping 8 hours straight for months.

Your breasts being sore means that you have a problem. It could be yeast, it could be a blocked duct, it could be mastisis. It could be a bad latch. These problems need to solved, not avoided. Pumping can make all of these problems worse, and that is not what you want.

Breastfeeding shouldn't be taking you away from your family, you shouldn't hide away. Your family should nurture and support you. Your kids should see it. Children who regularly see breastfeeding have an easier time breastfeeding as adults. Daddy can do lots of things without feeding the baby.

HOWEVER I am not you, and I do not know your life. If you must pump and give the occaisional bottle you must. Do not get to the point where you resent feeding your baby. While it is better not to, the odd bottle of breastmilk most likely will not cause problems. However I find getting out of the house helps a lot more than having someone take a feeding. Join a mommy group and hang out with other adults!

But you really should figure out what is causing your breasts to be sore, they shouldn't be. Please consult a lactation consultant or your local La Leche League www.llli.org

Answer 4

As long as you pump on the same schedule that you would feed your baby, your milk supply should stay the same. Pumped breastmilk is good 2 hours room temp, 6 hours in a cooler, 48 in a fridge (not in the door), and 3 months in the freezer. Just make sure to pump untill each breast is empty. That way the baby is getting the hindmilk, which is rich in fats that are necessary for the baby. Don't microwave the breastmilk, thaw in the fridge and then warm in a cup of hot water. If you are going to pump, get an electric, double pump and a pumping bra so your hands are free.

Answer 5

I did it, but i think because i was only pumping, i started not producing as much milk and now I have to supplement formula which was a PAIN! It took forever to find the right formula my baby could handle. I am still breastfeeding at night, but I cannot exclusively feed her breat milk because my volume is so low. Be careful. You may run out like I did. I only pump like 2 ounces every 4 or 5 hours now. That is from both breasts. I hated having to supplement formula. but everyone says baby gets way more when they suck then what a pump does so, who knows how much I really have. Good luck and yes, you can do it, I did, but like I said, be careful. Make sure you still breatfeed at least 1/2 the time so your breasts continue to produce a lot.

Answer 6

Daddy can wait a while Baby comes first at the moment, cabbage leaves in the bra will help for sore breasts. Bottles are a killer oif children and internationally they are being fazed out, it is now cup feeding. The breast is best it has the correct "holes" for the child's sucking gratification, and 6 month exclusive breast milk will prevent the child from having allergies at a later stage too. Why not compensate with Daddy and let him give her her first spoon of food? This may be the most exciting moment for him in his childs life. My dad loved to feed me when I sat in the highchair, many moons ago and I, at a later stage, was delighted to hear that he was the only one who could feed me vegies without a fight.

Answer 7

There are many breast pumps available. Expressing milk can be quite difficult at first but it gets easier once you get the hang of it. Buy a good quality breast pump and it should be fine. Just express the milk the number of times you would usually feed per day to ensure that your milk supply does not decrease. Breast milk can also be stored and frozen for a limited time if done properly. This is a great solution for dads who want to feed their little ones.

Answer 8

When you are breast feeding, pumping or not your boobs will be sore. I breast fed for about two weeks and then said forget it. I started pumping and bottle feeding. There is no difference. Boob milk is boob milk in a bottle or not. Although you need to be care full on how long you keep it. I think it is a day or two in the fridge and like a week in the freezer. but i never freezed and my baby ate so much i couldn't pump fast enough so i never had to worry about it expiring. Good luck and congrats on the new baby.

Answer 9

Absolutely! It's great to be able to bottle feed and have dad or other family members be able to help out and bond with the baby. You might want to nuse your baby a couple of times a day in addition to pumping some of her feedings though. Your milk will dry up sooner if you pump exclusively. Good Luck!

Answer 10

Yes, the whole point of nursing is so the baby can get the milk. Whether it be from breast or bottle doesn't matter. What's important is that the baby get the nutrients from the milk. Nursing is a chance for you and only to have a special bonding experience. Best of luck.

Answer 11

You can do it, I had to with my daughter. It won't free up any time though, in fact it will double your time you spend feeding/pumping. You will have to take the time to pump and then the time to feed the baby. Nursing is like doing both at once. It does offer dad a chance to feed though and is easier when out and about.
I would recommend a double electric pump, hospital grade, you can rent them from the pharmacy.