Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

I think I may have asked this before so excuse me if I have!! I am not remembering much these days, lol!

Just curious if anyone did that. I tried to BF Johnny. And I cried and cried b.c the pain to my nips was unbearable..I lasted ONE DAY.

I got over it and was happy to have him drink formula with no problems.

Next time around I'd love to see if pumping would work. 2 friends told me they hated it (BF'ing was successful for them) and my friend who just had her baby loves pumping and hates bf'ing. The pumping hurts her nips less..

Just curious if the pain was different (if you had pain at all!). Thanks!

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

Pumping was ok, it was uncomfortable but not unbearable. Its just a PITA because you have to pump so often.

Did you see a lactation consultant last time? Most of the time when women have pain during nursing its because the baby isn't latched correctly.

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

I pumped for the first month while my DS was in the hospital.....I was sensitive, but it was only temporary and from what I hear, not nearly as bad as starting to BF in the beginning. For me, pumping was a hassle (having to do it so often, in the beginning for atleast 20-30 min each session and washing all the parts)----so I transitioned to EBFing once my DS was home. Good luck with whatever you decide

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

I nursed for about 6 weeks but mainly only first thing in the am & her last feeding at night, otherwise I pumped. I'm still pumping now at 8.5 months later. It hasn't been bad for me b/c its all I've known since she was born. I'm down to 3x a day for about 20 min. Personally I preferred pumping b/c I knew exactly how much she was getting. Although I enjoyed the closeness of her nursing.

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

My older son wouldn't latch on when he was an infant - so I started pumping in the hospital. I had no pain - but I remember thinking it was the WEIRDEST feeling.

It would avoid the improper latch problem that caused you so much pain the first time around!

My son finally latched on after about 3 weeks or so and I breastfed him.

I had a LOT of milk and the doctor advised that it was probably from all the pumping I had been doing early on.

Message edited 3/25/2008 7:47:56 PM.

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

I also tried BFing in the hospital and was in terrible pain so I stopped and decided to pump exclusively. I did that from about day 2 until I went back to work when she was 5 months old.

Yes, it was a pain to have to wash all those pump parts in addition to the bottles she was drinking from, but to me it was worth the extra work because I wanted her to have my milk. BFing through all that pain would have been a sacrifice too, IMO, and I chose the one I could live with more.

In the beginning, I did pump alot to build up my supply, but I ended up being able to feed her on a regular 4-hour schedule rather than a 2 hour schedule because I was making a full bottle for her. So, while it was a bit of a pain in the beginning, it ended up working out better, I think, because she was sleeping through the night at 6 weeks. Also, once my supply was built up, I only had to pump 4 times a day so it wasn't that bad.

Also, I was able to pump a freezer full so I had enough for another month after I went back to work, and had stopped pumping completely.

If you want any other info or have questions on how I did it, or my schedule or whatever, feel free to FM me.

Message edited 3/26/2008 8:10:48 AM.

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

Yes I do and have to regrets about my decision.

I was admitted into the hospital the day after DS and I went home and he had to get bottles with formula for almost three days. He never latched on at the hospital and this seperation made things worse. I pumped and dumped while I was in the hospital to keep up my supply and now pump exclusively with no major issues.

Yes, I feel like a slave to my pump, yes it's a pain to have to get up at 1am to pump, but I know how much he's eating, and I know that he's getting breast milk which is best for him.

My supply is so good now that I've started freezing for when I go back to work in 5 weeks and plan to pump at least once during work hours so that he can exculsively drink breast milk for at least 9 months if not a year.

The bottom line is do what's right for you.

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

My son wasn't able to latch on and I went straight to pumping, it was bloody hard work and it lasted 8 months. If my next baby wasn't able to latch, I would not pump again. It was the hardest job I had to do. I was only truly happy when I stopped pumping!

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

i pumped right away.. my boys were nicu so i could bf but pumped the minute i had them... i continued pumping.. one ds wouldnt take my nipple for ANYTHING!!! while the other one was toooo agressive soooo i pumped and fed.. didnt have too much of a problem.. as long as i pumped it before i got to full i was good!!

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

i don't know if the milk supply will establish itself if you go to pumping right away. I know moms who went straight to pumping and lost milk in 2 to 3 months, and ones who did and fed till 4 mnths and stopped on their own.

Honestly, after the initial pain, your nipps get used to it and for me, now 4 mnths later, its MUCH easier to feed than pump. Pumping is a hassle and I don't like it. I do it cause I have to. Maybe, if your next one latches on fine, you won't have to deal with that? If not, you can try and see how it is for you. If you can't handle it, than thank Gd we have other alternatives

Message edited 3/26/2008 9:06:32 AM.

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

My DD was a preemie who wouldn't/couldn't latch. I went straight to pumping. It was a PIA and I definitely think it was not the same "experience" as a positive nursing relationship. I pumped exclusively for 10 weeks. The night feedings were the worst b.c they took so long (cleaning the pump etc). I would definitely rec a Medela or high end electric pump if you are going to be pumping. Also the medela steam microwave cleaning packets are a lifesaver!

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

I had problems with my son latching on and at first, and finally when he did latch on properly it hurt like #*^*$^*^$>. The lactation specialist at the hospital brought me a Medela breast shield to use over my nipple. WOW WHAT A GODSEND!!! Now every time I nurse I use the nipple shield and I have no pain and no cracked/bleeding nipples. I just wanted to throw that out there for you in case you wanted to try breastfeeding.

That being said, I do pump as well and alternate between breastfeeding and feeding breastmilk from a bottle. My baby (at 2 weeks old) has no problem going back and forth between the breast and bottle - I think it's because I use the breast shield on my breast (which looks and acts like a nipple for a bottle).

Re: Did anyone go straight to pumping instead of breastfeeding?

yes, I did. I pumped for 10.5 weeks. very time consuming, but I wanted to give DD some breastmilk and it was the only way I could do it.