Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

Do you really need to purchase a pump if you’re planning on breast feeding? What would I need it for really?

Some people have said they use it so that DH can have an opportunity to feed the baby. Other than that is it needed for anything else? I understand having it if I plan on going back to work after my 3 months of maternity. For the first three months would you recommend having a pump?

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

I EBF for 4.5 weeks. Then I bought a pump. Other than DH feeding DS, I use it to "monitor" how much DS is eating.

DS is a VERY sleepy baby on the breast. It would take forever for him to eat. He sucks for 10 minutes top then falls asleep. Which means, he wants to eat constently since he is not getting enough on 10 minutes. I tried every tricks to wake him up with no success. He was also using me as a human pacifier.

I have better eating schedules with the bottle. I still BF 1-2 times per day.

I was spending so many hours EBF, it was insane. The pump extract a lot of milk but I make better use of my time.

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

I don't know what I would do without my pump.

First, it gives DH an opportunity to feed DS.

Second, it allows me to go out in public with DS and not have to whip out my boob every hour or so. I will BF discreetly in public, but if I can avoid it I prefer too.

Third, and most important, it has allowed me to have me time and keep my sanity. Something that IMO is extremely important for the welfare of my family.

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

OMG- I use my pump ALL the time. I used it to help ease discomfort from engorgement, then I started using it to build up a freezer stash of milk. Also, she gets a big bottle of BM at night to help her sleep longer. DH loves feeding her as well.

My DD will only nurse from one breast per feeding. I would be SO engorged in the other breast if I had to wait to the next feeding to empty it.

I love my pump!

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

I am a SAHM mom so I did not need to pump to go back to work. My ped recommended that I get a pump b/c eventually you will want to go out without your child for a dinner or some other event - if you are feeding - you will feed about every 2-3 hours - at least it seems to be the norm. I find that having a pump is great - I don't pump every day - but I do pump often so that I can have a bottle ready to go when we go to things like stores or out to eat with DD - it is much easier when out in public to feed her a bottle than to try to find a place to try to BF her. Also if I wanted to leave her with my parents for a few hours I can give them a bottle or two.

My ped told me if I don't give her bottles (either one a day or once and a while) she will never let me out of her sight. I also didn't want to supplement with formula. If you are okay with giving formula when you go out without your child then you don't need a pump.

Some people also get a pump b/c they want to increase their supply. This was not an issue for me.

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

I am the odd one out here, but I sold my pump brand new basically.

I EBF DD for 4 months then weaned her when i went back to work, since I hated pumping so much.

I wouldn't get one right away, there's SO MUCH more DH can do to bond with baby besides giving them a bottle, (My Dh used to come home and have a good two hours of daddy time with the baby, i would do other things and leave em alone), I would concentrate on getting the hang of BF"ing then buy a pump later on.

JMO

Message edited 8/16/2007 1:00:25 PM.

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

Honestly, you have to go with the flow and see what happens. I planned on EBF and didn't buy a pump (mostly because I wasn't so sure how long I'd BF for)

Well when DD was just a few days old we ended up at the ER with a complication and they admitted her for four days. The hospital gave me a pump to use there to express milk for the overnight feedings (after my milk finally came in, but that's another story) but I also ended up buying a manual pump for nighttime at home. After the first few weeks of breastfeeding, if BF works out for you, even if you're a SAHM its a good idea to at least have an inexpensive manual pump for emergencies or other situations that you can't plan for.

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

I didn't love the actual act of pumping, but I love the freedom it allowed. I wasn't stuck to a schedule that if I wanted to run out shopping, I could leave a bottle for DS. It also made it so I didn't have to BF in public. It's a very personal decision, but I will most certainly pump with my next too.

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

I BF *almost * exclusively--she gets one bottle of formula a day. If I were truly EBF, I personally would pump since I am uncomfortable nursing in public. I did get a single electric pump after DD #1 was born and found I HATED pumping, so for me it was a waste of money, especially since I haven't used it at ALL this time.

I would probably purchase a pump after you do it for a couple of days and see how it goes for you and your lifestyle.

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

i have one. i have for jsut in case i need to hand him off to someone else to take care of while i'm away running an errand or something. also to stock up on bm to be stored in the freezer.

Re: Breast Feeding, Do I really need to purchase a pump?

I rented one in the beginning to take care of my engorgement issues...I kept it 3 weeks.

I have a hand pump that I used in the beginning too.

I am a sahm...if I need a bottle, I hand express...too lazy to wash out the pump pieces every time.

I did not want DH to feel left out of feedings...he says there is no such thing and men only tell their wives that to make them look sensitive and caring He said the words he still hears in his nightmares are me saying "There is a bottle on the counter"