Breastfeeding Question

So this girl i saw yesterday at Easter at my in laws has a 6 week old and she was telling me that you should pump from the very beginning.

I thought you need to wait the 2 weeks. She said no if you dont pump then the milk will never come in.

This is the exact opposite from what i have been told and in fact she was very pushy about it

Re: Breastfeeding Question

right or wrong (i'm not a doctor or pro) - i believe you are to pump right away (i was told to ask for a pump as soon as i get into my room at the hospital).

i BELIEVE that first 'stuff' that comes out is just as important as the milk itself...

Re: Breastfeeding Question

I didn't start pumping until they were about a week old. my milk came in without the pump.
A lot of people don't ever pump, so it is ridiculous to say that if you don't pump your milk won't come in.

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I was told not to start pumping for 2-3 weeks, because it was important to allow my body to stabilize its milk production on its own (this is for mom's who plan on nursing, not mom's who plan on pumping exclusively from the start), and also, because introducing a bottle too early to baby could cause nipple confusion.

So I BFed, exclusively for 3 weeks and let me tell you I had NO problem with my milk supply. I'm glad I waited because if I started pumping it would have screwed up my supply. By the time I started pumping my body had regulated itself.

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SOOOOO Confusing!!!! UGH!

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I was in the hospital and DD was not doing well with BF, so they made me give her formula which I realize now is fine... but the hospital did have me use a breast pump (their's) too b/c my milk came in so slow. I had a really really bad breastfeeding experience and if there's something I'm taking away from it for this pregnancy is one - no lactation nurses will be visiting me and 2 - I am bringing my medela pump with me the day I deliver. I will attempt to get the baby to latch, but if she/he doesn't by the end of the 24 hours then I will pump and get everything going that way. I'm refusing to stress out this time... but that's just b/c I had a really bad experience with my hospital. Everyone is different and I agree with the poster that wrote - it's very confusing. I think pumping early on helps, but I guess there's no right answer.

Message edited 4/13/2009 12:28:54 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding Question

The only reason I started pumping very early on was b/c DS ended up in the NICU at 2 days old. The hospital gave me a pump and I used it each time after I fed DS. Then, I'd use the colostrum that I pumped at the next feeding. I don't know for sure, but I think it helped my milk come in a little faster than it would have without the pump.

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I nursed ds until around 14 months. He was on only breast milk until 7months. I didn't start pumping until 2-3weeks. My ped said I should pump and give him a bottle once a week starting at 2-3 weeks just in case something happened to my milk supply. He said this way if something does happen the baby will know how to drink form a bottle.

ETA: my milk came in exactly 3 days after he was born.

Message edited 4/13/2009 1:12:57 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding Question

i pumped in the hospital because i wasn't making enough of the early stuff to help flush out baby's jaundice. i think it helped in the long run because i ended up with a very strong milk supply, but i would definitely not say it was necessary. don't let anybody push you into anything.

Re: Breastfeeding Question

I didn't even own a pump until my DD was about 4 months old.

Maybe she was told this by her Dr b/c she had a situation with her milk supply, but as a blanket statement applying for everyone - it is not true.

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Re: Breastfeeding Question

Re: Breastfeeding Question

Posted by davenjess

right or wrong (i'm not a doctor or pro) - i believe you are to pump right away (i was told to ask for a pump as soon as i get into my room at the hospital).

i BELIEVE that first 'stuff' that comes out is just as important as the milk itself...

Re: Breastfeeding Question

Everything I've read says that you shouldn't pump for at least 3-4 weeks.

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The whole BF topic is so touchy, personal, individual and then some! Whenever I reply to a post, I always just say what I personally plan to do. I've never done it so I can only form my own opinion from my own research and knowing my own body. But still, at six weeks, I don't think I'll be a qualified lactation consultant to be so pushy with anyone. Sorry you had to endure her on your Easter.

So the way I look at it, based on MY research... I'll be breastfeeding, not pumping. I'll feed my baby from my breast and I will give more that a college try to make it happen. The books I've read/am reading and dvd I've watched, talked so little on pumping like litterally one paragraph in the whole book. I'm going to be a SAHM and do not plan to bottle feed breast milk so if my baby wants to eat, we'll have to get it right together. Sure, I've registered for a hand held manual pump and three bottles but it's kind of like having band aids in the cabinet, I don't anticipate cutting myself every day but they're there if I need them.

I think even if you decide to pump, it's such a personal choice and preference that only you and your baby will dictate. It's a time will tell kind of thing.

From what I've read, your baby is the best way to bring your milk supply.

Hopefully you learn what you need from your breastfeeding class. If you are interested in extra research I've read and suggest...

The ABC's About Breastfeeding
So That's What They're For
Laugh & Learn about Breastfeeding (dvd)

Got them all from the library. Good luck!

Message edited 4/13/2009 5:51:44 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding Question

You can pump if you choose but it is not necessary. My milk came in after both pregnancies within 3 days and both times without the assistance of a pump.

Re: Breastfeeding Question

Posted by Serendipity

Posted by cpanyc

I didn't even own a pump until my DD was about 4 months old.

Maybe she was told this by her Dr b/c she had a situation with her milk supply, but as a blanket statement applying for everyone - it is not true.

Nope, she said their is no way my milk would come in without a pump
Let me add by saying I met her like 3 minutes before this and was just being nice and trying to make small talk

She was lsooo freakin PUSHY and I wasn't even asking her for advice.

I was just curious what you ladies have heard.

I am taking a Breastfeeding class in a few weeks anyway (didn't dare tell her that just not to hear ANYTHING).


I will get my info then.

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I pumped from the beginning but DD would not latch on at all - no matter how many lactation consultants tried. So, in the beginning it was the only way for her to take anything and not starve.

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Re: Breastfeeding Question

Posted by Serendipity

Posted by cpanyc

I didn't even own a pump until my DD was about 4 months old.

Maybe she was told this by her Dr b/c she had a situation with her milk supply, but as a blanket statement applying for everyone - it is not true.

Nope, she said their is no way my milk would come in without a pump
Let me add by saying I met her like 3 minutes before this and was just being nice and trying to make small talk

She was lsooo freakin PUSHY and I wasn't even asking her for advice.

I was just curious what you ladies have heard.

I am taking a Breastfeeding class in a few weeks anyway (didn't dare tell her that just not to hear ANYTHING).


I will get my info then.

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Umm, that is so weird. I've breast-fed two children and never needed to pump to make my milk come in.

Just put the baby to the boob -- it's better stimulation than any pump!

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my lamaze nurse who is my drs wife..said you need to BF for 2 weeks to establish your supply.. then introduce in pumping... however if baby is in NICU or not latching properly then pumping needs to start sooner.

it makes sense because i was googling on the boards and it seems the baby can suck better than the pump, so it goes faster...

Re: Breastfeeding Question

They is no reason to pump right away - your body knows what to do without a pump.