Breastfeeding Question?

Question

Im due in January and this is our first baby, i was just wondering can you just use the pump to pump milk from your breast and just feed the baby through the bottle, or do you actually have to breast feed the whole time, right now thinking of the fact of having to breast feed my child in public makes me a little eerie and i dont want to do that, i would much rather just do it in my home and feed them with a bottle out in public, anyone have any advice?

Answer 1

Hey Congrats on the baby!!! You have a ton of good advice here already...my one thing to add is this: don't be afraid of "showing your breast in public." There are plenty of places in malls (i.e. family rest rooms, fitting rooms, some stores have lounges, etc.) I found that most, if not all, people are very helpful and very sympathetic to a mother searching for a private place to feed her baby!! I never had to nurse in front of a lot of people for lack of a place to do it. There was once or twice when I went out to my car when I couldn't find a comfortable place. You will find that it is difficult to pump a lot of milk, while it VERY EASY to just pop one out and let the baby latch on! Trust me -- everyone will want to help you. There are people at the hospital and the La Leche league (although they freaked me out a little bit....just a little too militant about the whole thing for my taste! :) Don't worry so much about it. It really does come naturally.

Answer 2

Tis cool love, feed bottle in public and then feed with the breast at home. Let me tell you why, it is kinda wierd out in public and there is a "specific person" that does have issues with women nursing in public, i never encountered them but wished i would have. I was a very proud nurser I did not care and your breasts are what GOD gave them to you for is to nurse, the world has made them a sexual only organ but originally they were not that. But this is something i learned over time of nursing till the baby was 1 1/2 your breast change the consistancy, the minerals, vitamins and other things for the age of the baby. And, the babies saliva goes into the breast in very small amounts and that is how the breast knows what the baby needs. There is nothing wrong with bottle feeding the breast milk and what is cool is that you could go out with friends or hubby and they could feed the baby. Although honey, this would of been a great thing for me too but, my child never took a bottle, i guess she was just so hooked that she never took the bottle and i tried so many. So what i would do is nurse in the hospital then when you get home start pumping and start with a newborn bottle. You know you can freeze your breast milk, you could put them in ice cube maker containers and then just pop them out when needed, and what is cool is that you can know that 4 cubes is = to so many ounces.(example of measurements) that way you can tell hubby or grandparent or such so they are not guessing the measurements. I would suggest however not to let the nursery at the hosp.give the baby a pacifier since you want the baby to be with you and nurse, this is also suggested by lactation specialists. Yes, I am long winded about this topic but it is one of my favorites. Contact me if you wish. Good luck and love it. It is so good for you child in so many ways.

Answer 3

I was rather scared of it also, but i'll tell you what:) it really is a great thing:) You can pump and do the bottle feeding in public, thats my reccomendation but also DO make sure you are not JUST pumping:) the baby (when breastfeeding) empties the milk from your breast much more efficently than just pumping. lots of times you don't even pump 1/4 of what you are actually feeding your baby VIA the breast itself.. so just keep that in mind... pumping isn't an accurate way to determine how much you are making...
that being said it's all about YOUR comfort level.. but you should remember that you shouldn't really start your baby on a bottle for 2-4 weeks after birth. and only then if your baby is having no problems latching on.. it helps prevent nipple confusion.. try to give the bottle as little as possible:). If you would like any advice or just someone to talk to who breastfeeds just write me
[e-mail]

Answer 4

The baby is much more efficient at emptying your breast so I don't think it would work to only pump...you can pump for times when you are out of the house or when someone else will be with the baby...but many moms find pumping difficult.

The best advise I can give you is to purchase the "right tool for the job". Get properly fitting nursing clothing with openings that are discreet and easy.

go to www.japaneseweekend.com

you won't be sorry that you spent the money. I especially like the band under the breast that lifts...I also like the bra that pulls up or down.

These tools will make it quick and easy to get the baby on and no one will notice.

I also sewed a "tube" of fabric that I sling over the baby and one shoulder for privacy... I put a hook at each shoulder so I can put my arms out and the cloth will still stay up

Answer 5

I am a mom of three. My third is six weeks old and I have breastfed all three. I was REALLY creeped out about showing my breast in public to feed the baby but was comitted to breastfeeding because of the enormous health benefits. I would pump to feed the baby in public but there came a point when it was just not worth the work. I tried to cover the baby discreetly with a blanket but he wouldn't have any of it. I just got used to it and still try to be discreet but I have found there is more exposure and the like if I am messing around trying to be discreet instead of just getting on with it. Pumping isn't as efficient as nursing and very few women can get one feeding from one pumping. My babies would never take bottles or pacifiers and most people would rather have a woman nursing quietly than a screaming hungry baby. You won't have to worry about nursing in public very often. You just don't go out alot at first. The nursing in public issue comes up when you aren't otherwise prepared anyway, when something takes longer than it should, usually. You should be able to get a good quality double electric pump from your insurance company with a prescription from the doctor. (Have him write something like: "to increase lactation" etc) WIC and La Leche League can help with pumping and how to nurse in public etc (unless your kid is like mine and won't tolerate a blanket on his/her head).
Know this, the baby's head covers everything there is to see, and in most states, your right to nurse is protected. It is a little weird at first, we spend so much time covering up it is kinda freaky to uncover a little. Its not like "Girls Gone Wild" and most people don't even notice or care.
Its best to nurse as much as possible and pump for comfort or to have an emergency stash. Talk with your doctor and the nurses at Labor and Delivery and WIC. They can really help. Thus far in my life, I have nursed for nearly three years (not consecutively) and have seen and done a lot. Email me if you have other questions etc. Congrats on the addition and great job for wanting to nurse.

Answer 6

Great question, already has great answers, so the only thing i'll contribute thats new is a few great online resources.

www.babycenter.com - has great discussion boards, a whole group of them dedicated to breastfeeding (problems, questions, early breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding, breastfeeding in public, working moms, pumping moms, etc). i got a TON of info there, really great moms with great suggestions, tips, and advice.

www.kellymom.com - another fabulous breastfeeding site, lots of great articles about all kinds of things you might need help with regarding breastfeeding. moms on babycenter often refer you over to the kellymom site.

La leche league - check them out online, as well as your local chapter; only caveat is that they are a little more dedicated than the average breastfeeding mom, and depending on the group you attend may be a little more pushy about encourageing nursing in public - you have to do what you're comfortable with.

good luck and congrats!

Answer 7

My sister-in-law wanted to "breastfeed", but didn't actually want her son to feed from her breast. (She has hangups about her breasts.), so she actually pumped ALL the time and fed him breast milk from a bottle, even when they were at home. It does work, but it isn't easy.

Do what you're comfortable with, but remember, it is possible to breastfeed in public and remain incredibly discreet about it.

Answer 8

u can do whatever u feel like u should. lots of moms do that.