When should I start pumping?

Question

How long after my milk has come in should I start pumping? I will be breastfeeding after delivering and was just wondering if I would pump right away or wait until the colostrum is out?

Answer 1

I had my eldest son via c-section and only a few hrs. after the was born I started to pump. He was a premie so the colostrum is essential to their growth. My lactation consultant came in about 4hrs after he was born and told me after I started pumping I shouldn't go more than 3 hrs with out pumping. I think it is the way your body know it has to replenish ever 3hrs ( about baby's feeding time) Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I've been working with a lactation consultant since my daughter was born in late July. She said I could start pumping as soon as my milk came in. I had to pump about 5 days after the birth because I became engourged one night & my baby was not hungry at the time, I was in pain so I had to relieve the pressure. You milk supply does work on supply & demand, but everyone is different as far as how much milk they produce. You should definitely start practicing with the pump weeks before you will actually need the milk for your baby. This will allow you to get comfortable with the pump, do any trouble shooting, learn how to use it, and build up a supply in the freezer. I started regularly pumping when my baby was about 3-4 weeks old and we started introducing the bottle when she was 4-5 weeks old, just a few ounces at a time. I returned to work when she was 10 weeks old and now she gets 3 bottles a day at the sitters. I pump 4 times a day, the first time I pump is in the morning, I feed my baby on one side while pumping the other. The other 3 times I pump are around the same time my baby would normaly eat (and gets her bottle from the sitter). In the evenings and on weekends I exclusively breastfeed her.

Just practice, start slow, you will get the hang of it. There are soooo many resources out there to help you, you just have to know where to look. Here are some good websites with info about breastfeeding:

http://www.askdrsears.com/

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html

http://www.llli.org/

And you can always come on Yahoo Answers for support from other breastfeeding mommies :) Good luck & congrats!

Answer 3

The lactation consultants at my hospital recommend waiting 2 weeks. I waited 2 weeks but didn't figure it out for about a month. I had 370 ounces in my freezer and have ended up throwing most of it away because my son 1) doesn't need it much and 2) won't take a bottle anymore....just make sure you leave at least an hour before you expect baby to nurse next so your not "stealing" from the next feeding, but your supply will catch up after a few days. Also don't be surprised if you don't get much or it takes you a while to let down for teh pump. You may only get 1/2 an ounce or you amy get 10. Either way is normal.

Answer 4

You can start pumping anytime after the little one is born.
I nursed my son exclusively til 18 months, however, my daughter was born with a cleft lip/palate, and I was not able to nurse. While in the hospital, after having my daughter, I began pumping right away ... well, not RIGHT away, I had an emergency c/section. :)
Milk comes in a couple of days or so after the baby is born, and the colostrum is high in nutrients, it's perfect for the little one to have right away.

Answer 5

If you are already lactating and the baby is not born, then depending on the amount take an advise of your gynaecologist and do as the doctor says.

Chances are you will pump out so that you do not have pain from it accumulating or forming lactic glands. You body is the best guide in this case, you are and individual, and it does depend on individuals tendency. do not have to wake the baby up.

If you pump, do not throw it way, give it to an organisation or you yourself can drink it. It can be drank by you it is good for you.

Most of the answers are good, as specially if the baby is with you then you can just nurse the baby as needed, most babies can nurse even when they are sleeping.

Answer 6

My girlfriend and I both had babies within 3wks of each other. She waited until 2.5 months old and the baby wont take a bottle what so ever. I Started pumping the day my son was born and he takes both very well. Alot of ppl are going to push Breast all the way. But from her expirence she was sick with the flu about 2wks ago and she was telling me about running from the toilet to feed the baby in between being ill. She wished that she would take a bottle so her husband could have taken care of the baby.

We went to this group, long after we had formed our habbits with our babies, honestly there should be a before the baby arrives breast feeding circle so that you can find what worked for other ppl. where this woman (group leader) said she got her husband to feed there 4 children 2 bottles a day. If you do it right away it wont cause nipple confusion.

If you are going to pump...buy a GOOD pump...you will want one that you can pump both at the same time, to save you time and elecrtric. I like the playtex pump. I bought it on ebay, it all goes in the dishwasher to sterilize it . Also some drug stores rent them..

Congrats and enjoy your baby and do whatever works for you

Answer 7

Your milk doesnt come in until after baby is born. You'll leak white and clear fluid, but its just fluid. The colostrum always comes first.

Beyond that, pumping when pregnant stimulates your nipples, which causes contractions and starts labor. So its not worth it.

You pump after baby is born, not before.

Answer 8

You don't need to pump at all if you plan on BEING with your baby during the first few months after birth. If you have to leave your baby with others because you work, etc., then start pumping a couple of weeks before you return to work. This will allow you to get used to the process, and you can even freeze extra milk for when you are not there.

Your baby's nursing will cause you to produce the right amount of milk for him or her, so to the extent it's possible, avoid pumping unless it's really necessary. Start too early and you may produce more milk than your baby needs, but lower quality.

Baby (and Nature) knows best!

Answer 9

I would wait until the colostrum is gone. In fact, I think that nursing will bring in a better supply than pumping. I'd wait for a week if you can.

http://pumproom.blogspot.com/

Answer 10

you feed your baby, the nurses will advise on when to start pumping but at first it all goes from you to the baby