Breastfeeding..?

Question

Okay.. so they say that breastfeeding helps you drop those extra pounds (along with all the wonderful stuff it does for your baby).. and I am just wondering if pumping does the same thing. Does pumping help lose the extra weight too? Surely your body can't tell that it's plastic sucking on your nipple instead of a baby, right?

Answer 1

The baby sucking does not make you lose weight it is the process your body goes through to make milk that makes you lose weight. So if you pump you still can lose weight becasue of the calories required to make milk. As long as you empty the breast so it can make more you will be ok.

Answer 2

In answer to the weight-loss, pumping will be about the same as breastfeeding IF you go back to a sensible diet, exercise, and pump as often as you would normally breastfeed. One answer said that pumping alone would cause your milk to dry up sooner. I have to disagree with that statement. My daughter was a 28 week preemie and she didn't get to feed from even a bottle--let alone my breast--until she was over a month old. I had always intended to breastfeed, so it was not a difficult decision to pump from the very beginning. I had a hospital grade pump that I rented from the hospital. I pumped every 3 hours, as I would have nursed had she been able to. Because they start preemies out with a nipple that basically drips milk into their mouth to teach them to suck, she didn't get to nurse until she was 2 months old and just never really latched on well. So, I pumped----for over a YEAR--Yes, a year! I began the day she was born, Nov 29th, 2003 and stopped February 2005. Initially, I pumped the every 3 hours bit, then I went back to work and stretched the time a little, but still pumped within a 3-5 hour time span....and I slept a full 8 hours at night (baby permitting). My milk never decreased. The key is pump until the breast stops streaming milk but continue to pump another minute, the breast will then continue on until fully empty. You also need to drink plenty of WATER--sodas and caffeine limit your production. A good lactation nurse can help you get started and keep it up. Not everyone nurses for the first full year as suggested, but any amount of breast milk your baby gets is very beneficial. My baby didn't have the first cold--not even a sniffle, until about 3 months after I started her on whole milk--and I was sick many times throughout her first year and giving her breast milk. She is a healthy, happy 3 year old with absolutely no effects from being born premature. So, my advice, nurse or pump--whichever fits your needs best. But, don't get discouraged over weight loss and some inconvenience. You'll be thankful for your baby's health and the bonding experience you have when providing them the only nourishment that you know 100% where the source is from!

Answer 3

The amount of calories needed and burned to keep up with what you're (no pun intended) pumping out is the idea behind the weight loss. There's all sorts of other things, like the oxytocin released from the nipple stimulation helping with contracting your uterus back to it's normal size. (Did anyone tell you while pregnant to avoid nipple stimulation until you're ready to have the kid? Same idea there.)

You've got to remember to eat healthy and get some exercise though - you're no longer in need of that 300 extra calories a day that you were while pregnant - but you do need to eat a healthy, balanced diet so you're producing a healthy, balanced meal for your baby.

There's plenty of women out there that think breastfeeding is the miracle weight-loss program and don't know why they're not losing all this weight they were told they were going to. Try thinking of it more as a "booster program" for your exercise routine: some light walking, parking further away at the grocery store, taking the stairs, carrying the baby in it's carrier as much as you can while out instead of pushing it or having your partner do it... the little things add up quickly!

Breastfeeding is one hell of a beneficial booster to it, whether pumped or not. Just don't go overboard: pump what your baby consumes, maybe a little more for back up.

Answer 4

The primary difference is that a baby is more efficient at emptying a breast. You will produce as much milk as your baby demands. If you pump and get 1 1/2 ounces your baby is probably getting closer to 2 ounces when it nurses.

To answer your question - if you are looking to lose weight then pumping vs feeding will not make much difference.

Answer 5

Actyally, your baby can drain your breast way better than even the best pump can.

Pumping will offer the same benefits to you just to a slightly lesser degree.

However there are benefits that baby misses if you don't breasfeed and ONLY pump.

such as "enhance the baby's development of oral muscles and facial bones--promotes good jaw development as well. It's harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. "


"The skin-to-skin contact offered by breastfeeding reduces the stress babies experience when they enter the world from the warmth and safety of the womb. Breastfeeding provides comfort during illness or pain."

HTH

Answer 6

Well...Pumping doesn't always get all you milk out and it's harder for your body to let down the milk. I think the baby sucking would still be more effective because they get more out. But any breast milk you can give your baby is beneficial. It's also harder to keep your milk supply when only pumping so keep in mind to drink plenty and take vitamins.

Answer 7

not quite the same, but close. pumping will not keep your milk supply up for long on its own, but an industrial pump used every 2 or 3 hours every day would keep your supply up for a few months. i would highly suggest seeing a la leche league consultant. theyre free, and can give you tons of information about lactation and breast feeding.

Answer 8

I would think that using a breast pump would do the same thing for you but unfortunately not for your baby.Unless you have no other choice,than it is also the next best thing for baby.

Answer 9

No because pumping you dont produce as much milk and you burn calories from producing the milk so no you will not lose as much

Answer 10

Pumping works too :)