Do i have to breastfeed to breast pump milk?

Question

i was wondering if i have to breastfeed to pump milk or not. i am only arond 12-14 weeks pregnant, and just want to find out now so i know what to invest in. I personally dont like the idea of breast feeding but i am willing to pump. i will ask my doctor aobut this when i see her next. but i ws just wondering on what any one else knew about this. I am healthy and i am eating right. and i hope i can just exclusivly just pump milk.

Answer 1

If a mother cannot or does not wish to breastfeed directly, exclusive pumping, begun soon after birth, can provide baby with breastmilk, which is highly superior to artificial baby formula. Use a hospital grade pump with a double kit, such as the Lactina® Select, or the Classic. Milk production depends on frequent and effective milk removal from the breasts. Pump at least 8 times in 24 hours, or a minimum of 100 minutes per day. Many exclusively pumping mothers find it helps their milk supply if their baby is allowed to spend time skin-to-skin at the breast, even if the baby only nuzzles the nipple.

Several short pumping sessions are preferable and more effective than longer less frequent sessions. Some herbs and medications can be used to improve supply in mothers who find supply to be an issue. Avoid medications that may cause a decrease in supply, such as birth control medications and over-the-counter oral cold medicines.

Make sure that the breastpump flange fits well, and that the nipple moves freely within the flange. If a larger breastshield flange is needed, Medela makes PersonalFit™ kits with wider flanges, large ( 27mm diameter) and extra large (30mm diameter). If a mother wishes to exclusively pump, the correct equipment, comfortably fitted and used properly and frequently will make her experience more successful.


Sometimes, mothers who exclusively pump worry that they won’t have enough milk to meet the needs of the older, heavier, 3-6 month old infant. It is normal for milk production to be fairly constant over time. Interestingly, while the volume of milk produced doesn’t change much, the energy requirements of babies actually decrease as they grow towards the 6- month mark. This is because the rate of growth of babies is very rapid at first, but slows down later, providing protection against obesity.

Answer 2

I have exclusively pumped since my son was a week old and now he is almost 7 months! I am still pumping and feeding. I went back to work at 8 weeks. I have been able to pump and freeze a ton of milk and I have a supply in the fridge that is a day ahead... so I always have the bottles for the day prepared and then when I pump one day, that is for the feedings for the next... I found it to be much easier actually.. It is a lot of work, but then dad also gets to join in on feedings. Especially in the beginning it was nice because we could take turns so we both got some sleep!!!

Answer 3

You can give your baby pumped breast milk, but I will be completely honest with you, it is TOUGH WORK!
My son absolutely refused to latch at 4 days old so I have been exclusively pumping since then. I would pump, wash the pump parts, feed the baby what I just pumped, and then start pumping again, for the first week. It was quite exhausting.

Some women have a lot of problems maintaining a supply exclusively pumping, but it is certainly possible.

I reccomend renting a hospital grade pump... at least for the first 12 weeks (when you are still establishing a milk supply). You will need to pump every 2 hours to get your supply well established (and to keep up with what baby needs!) at least in the beginning. after a few weeks you can switch to every 4 hours.

I use a medela pump in style, it's definitely not the best pump there is for exclusive pumpers, but it does get the job done.

I would at least give nursing a try - it's not as creepy as it seems. it is SO amazing to be feeding your baby and have them look up into your eyes with so much love, feeling the closeness... it's hard to describe. but it's wonderful.

Answer 4

What you need to understand is that it will take a signifigant amount of time away from your baby. it can be done, but you do have breasts for the very purpose of feeding your child.

Pumping involves cleaning and steralizing, not just the bottle and fake nipples, but also the pump every time you use it, which can be every 2 hours at first. Then you have to hold the flanges against your breast which leaves you no hands to cuddle your baby in.

Breastfeeding is soooooooo much easier. Plus you baby gets passive immunity. The babies saliva actually sends signals to your immune system so that your milk makes antibodies when threatend with illness. Your breast milk also changes as your child ages. The fat and protein levels alter according to your child's needs. Its amazing stuff, but your body doesn't get that information from a machine.

That being said, if you must exclusively pump, go for it. Its waaaay better than formula!

Answer 5

Sure you can just pump. My daughter was in NICU for 2 weeks. What helped me through it all was pumping. I was able to give her breastmilk through her feeding tube. It also helped regulate my hormones back to normal and helped me get my body back into its original shape. When she came home I was able to get her to nurse, but I still pumped even though she did breast feed.

I plan to breastfeed my upcoming baby (34 weeks due in February) and also pump. Pumping helps with milk production and also helps you train your baby to take the bottle in case you are gone for a little while or if you plan to go back to work afterwards.

Just do not deny your baby the milk. It is vital for antibodies and a healthy immune system. He/she will be sick way far less than if you just give him/her formula.

You can buy a collection kit from the hospital you are having the baby at. Talk to a lactation nurse and explain you will breastfeed. It's also a good idea to go to a breastfeeding class. It's well worth it when you know the proper way to breastfeed (if that is what you decide to do). Pumps range between $50-60 rental per month and can be rented at most hospitals.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I personally breastfed my children for a year each, it is a beautiful and special experience. But that is a very personal decision. You can pump breast milk. You just have to do it according to how much the baby is eating. You need to keep the milk supply built up, so when the baby is needing more milk, you need to pump more. The more you pump, the more your body will produce. You will need to be very dedicated to this. I think it is a great choice you have made. Congratulations on your pregnancy. I hope all goes well for you and your baby.

Answer 7

I would encourage you to try direct breastfeeding for at least the first few days/weeks before you switch over to exclusive pumping.

Right after the baby is born you'll have colostrum at first, which is thick, sticky and comes in small quantities. It is difficult to pump colostrum, but colostrum is VERY important to baby as it acts like a first immunization.

Also, no breastpump is as efficient as a baby. It's just man's best imitation. If you could nurse directly for the first couple of weeks, that would help you get your milk in and get your supply established before you resorted to exclusively pumping.

If you choose to exclusively pump, you would be better off with a rental pump. The pumps you can buy aren't really meant to hold up with the rigorous schedule of exclusively pumping for very long and you could burn up the motor. See if your hospital rents pumps. If they don't, call your local La Leche League and ask if they know of a pump rental station.

Answer 8

I've worked with in the healthcare industry for years and started off as a lactation consultant and can tell you that if you are only pumping you can do it but not for very long because you will dry up. Your body an tell the difference between the baby sucking and you pumping. I had several patients experience this problem as did myself. I tried to breast feed my 2nd and third child and was unable to so I decided to pump to give them what I could. Eventually I dried up because I was only pumping. This is something you need to do discuss with your lactation consultant if you choose to use one. I always went in and talked with new mothers while they were still in the hospital and then once they went home they could call me or come in for our weekly meetings.

Answer 9

No; you can just pump. Your breasts will keep supplying the milk as long as you are continually pumping or breast feeding.
But it's not a requirement to breast feed; to make the pump work. I am planning on doing both though.

Good Luck with your pregnancy. (I'm on week 29!)

Answer 10

Yes that would work and it would be the best for the baby. Breast milk is really the best and most easily digested for children. If you are willing to pump even if you don't want to breast feed that is great. You can even freeze breast milk so you can save extras.