I was wondering if the hospital would allow me to pump breast milk for the first feeding after delivering my baby. For some reason, the idea of him latching on to my breast is not appealing yet, I want him to have breast milk. I want to express the milk from the very beginning. Has anyone done this?
2007-03-22 06:04:15 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It is SOOOO completly different when it comes to it actually being your baby.
The best advice I can give is to give it a good go. Try it.
Pumping is HARD work and the failure rate is really high.
The first couple of days the baby isnt actually getting milk, theyre getting colostrum (its like super-milk... packed with anti-bodies and good stuff) they only need drops of that at a time, but they will spend a good amount of time at the breast to stimulate milk production.
If you introduce a bottle before the breast, its very possible that you will have a hard time getting the baby to latch on to your breast. Introducing a bottle any time in the first month or so can cause this problem. Its called 'nipple confusion' and its no fun.
Seriously, give it a try... really spend a few weeks on it and if youre still not comfortable, you should have built up an okay supply to start pumping.
You will really have to work to pump full-time though... babies go through growth spurts and with nursing, your supply naturally increases... with pumping, you have to manually increase your supply to meet babies needs...
If you do deside to pump, please read up on the way nursing works so that you can mimic some of the natural things that occur.
2007-03-22 06:41:33 · answer #1 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pumping out colostrum is extremely difficult, but the hospital technically cannot stop you from trying. Once you see your child for the first time, I am sure you will change your mind. Also, when they root for the first time trying to find your breasts, I would imagine you would feel extremely guilty shoving a bottle in his mouth. He is born knowing to look for your breasts and if you are already planning on giving him breast milk its best right from the source. Also, for convenience think about it this way. It takes 10-20 mins to pump, then 10-20 more minutes to feed him. You will spend about 40 mins giving a 20 min feeding.
2007-03-22 06:34:40 · answer #2 · answered by Erin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they will let you. You need to make sure that they know that is what you want to do so that they can have a pump available for you though (unless you have your own). Also, most hospitals have lactation consultants who can walk you through the first stages of pumping. At first, you won't get much at all! Just some golden clear really thick fluid that is called colostrum, but once your milk comes in (usually in a couple of days) you wil start getting your real milk.
However, that said, it is much easier on both of you if you start to breastfeed right away. If you wait, you are risking nipple confusion issues, and your supply may not come in "quite" right to match your baby's needs.
I really think that you ought not to make any definitive decisions on this right now, as once your baby is born and you hold it for the first time, all of your maternal instincts will kick in, and your feelings may very well change.
2007-03-22 06:18:42 · answer #3 · answered by ♥♥♥ Mommy to Two ♥♥♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the hosp. mine did not allow it (!)- they were very strict-I was afraid she wasnt getting enough & I asked them for some formula to give her too, they wouldnt give it to her
your baby needs the colostrum, so even if you just have him latch on for those first couple days--do it, & pump when you get home.
my milk came in the next day after I was d/c'd from the hosp.
good luck!!--oh--and get some of the lansinoh breast cream--it works wonders and makes latching on sooo much less painful and irritating for you
2007-03-22 06:28:11 · answer #4 · answered by Shellberry 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure they will. I did for 4 days after my c-section because they didn't want me to feed him while I was on a particular medication until after I took him to the pediatrician so I "pumped and dumped".
2007-03-26 01:51:29 · answer #5 · answered by EAW 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No but its better when the baby comes out to put him or her right to the breast
2007-03-22 06:36:17 · answer #6 · answered by troble # one? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can only ask...its only colostrum at the beginning which is the good stuff. You will probably change your mind about him latching on when you see him.
2007-03-22 06:07:41 · answer #7 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
many people have done this so some doctors want let you breast feed your baby
2007-03-22 06:07:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is quite obvious that this is your first baby.
I am willing to take a bet. You will change your stand once you have delivered.
2007-03-22 06:15:01 · answer #9 · answered by cnsone 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, they will let you do that.
2007-03-22 06:07:50 · answer #10 · answered by buzyb 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋