Thinking about exclusively pumping

[hokiegirl82]

We just finished with our childbirth class and we finished with a video on breast feeding. I have to admit breast feeding has always freaked me out a little and even a little more after watching a 25 minute video on it. I've thought about exclusively pumping and after seeing the video it seems like a good possibility now. I think I am going to give breast feeding a good try when he is born but I don't feel too upset at the thought of possibly exclusively pumping.

I didn't like the "formula is bad for the baby" message that was put across a couple of times in the video. In my mind, I feel like as long as the kid is fed, whether boob or formula, the parents are doing a good job.

[andthentherewere10]

Sounds like you've got a well thought out plan. I don't have much to add other than I know BFing is hell for like the first 6 weeks, so maybe in your head you need to determine a timeline for how long you are willing to try BFing.

[VillainV]

Yeah, I was really put off by the whole "formula feeding is risky" message that we got at our BFing class. It's designed FOR BABIES.

I plan to do a combo of BFing and pumping (I'll be going back to work, so I'll have to pump at some point). We'll see how that goes. I'm not opposed to exclusively pumping if it turns out that works better (some babies have trouble going back and forth between breast and bottle), and I'm not opposed to formula feeding if breast feeding or pumping doesn't work for whatever reason.

I'm not sure how exclusively pumping would work out after birth while you're still in the hospital. You may end up BFing for the first week or so (until your milk supply is established?) and then transition to pumping. Someone on my BMB asks about this, and apparently there are some good books on exclusively pumping and how to establish your milk supply, etc. These would probably be a really good resource :-)

[curbsideprophet]

Having already nursed/pumped for one child, exclusive pumping would potentially be my last option. I know people make it work, but I would not start out with that as the goal. Exclusive pumping would be so much more work. For most people breastfeeding gets easier with time, pumping often only gets harder. It can be much harder to maintain your supply with just a pump.

What are your concerns with breastfeeding?

[zarapipe]

Ditto curbside.

If it were between ff and pumping I would.pick ff.

o much work!!!

But like she said some women do it and do it beautifully, so it can be done but it is hard. I would suggest to try nursing and see how it goes.

I absolutely agree with your last part, a Fed baby is a happy baby and that's all that matters.

[Deleted]

I felt uncomfortable with breastfeeding before I had my first. But then I gave it a go and nursed him till 19 months. Just weaned my second around 13 months. Hopefully things go well with this third baby and I get a year in.

I'd probably FF rather than exclusively pump if those were my options. In my experience pumping even part-time is a lot of work.

Now, my first baby was super high needs and cried nonstop so it felt impossible to get a pumping session in. My second has been a super easy baby and I did more pumping but a) he was easy so I had the time and b) I was super motivated to get his feeds down and get him taking a bottle because I wanted to go to Paris on my own.

If you have a pretty chill newborn exclusively pumping might not be too much work.

Oh, and, hello. I'm 5 weeks pregnant with my third, live overseas and lurk and occasionally post on the International Living board. Hello VillainV !!

[IndiaInk]

Mar 23, 2014 13:07:22 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Having already nursed/pumped for one child, exclusive pumping would potentially be my last option. I know people make it work, but I would not start out with that as the goal. Exclusive pumping would be so much more work. For most people breastfeeding gets easier with time, pumping often only gets harder. It can be much harder to maintain your supply with just a pump.

What are your concerns with breastfeeding?

I have no experience with either, but I've heard this over and over again.  Just something to keep in mind.  

[bananapancakes]

We were shown this graphic at our prenatal class. Yes, breastfeeding is a ton of work in the beginning but it gets easier and eventually becomes easier than bottle feeding after week 5 and substantially easier after week 8 where as bottle feeding levels off after week 2 or 3. This graphic doesn't specify pumping or formula feeding though. Just something to think about! I'm actually more worried about breast feeding than I am about labour and delivery. I figure L&D will be one day out of my life but BF can be difficult for weeks and weeks. I am trying to keep this graph in my mind for the days that seem impossible.

[scribellesam]

EPing has always seemed to me like the most exhausting, labor-intensive feeding option. I have nothing but respect for EPers but it would be my absolute last choice. From what I've gleaned from fellow posters and IRL friends who EPed, it's a good option in the early weeks but gets a lot more challenging as time goes on.

If it's important to you for baby to get some BM in the beginning, you can always start off EPing and plan to switch to formula if it gets too difficult.

[salemsaberhagen]

I know I haven't posted in forever but I saw this thread and felt compelled to add my experience. I'm actually going through this right now (and pumping as I type). I had a c-section 7 weeks early due to pre-eclampsia. Catarina was born 2/3 and weighed 2lb 12 oz. She didn't eat at first because they were waiting for the magnesium sulfate to flush out of her system (given to me before the c-section). I was told by the doctors and nurses in the NICU to start pumping every 3 hours and 4 hours for the overnight.

After 3 days of pumping, I finally got something to give to her. It was perfect timing, I had milk for her and she was cleared to eat. This was done by feeding tube at first. Then would alternate between bottle and feeding tube. I was encourage to breastfeed her but it was so hard since she was so tiny. She was able to latch but would fall asleep. I tried to do it when I could but it was very awkward.

During her 28 day stay in the NICU, I pumped. It was very hard for me to keep up with the schedule of every 3 hrs. Pumping wise, I don't feel like I get a lot. I pump for 30 min and get varying amounts (.5 oz - 2 oz). That was fine for the NICU since they gradually increased the amount she ate. Now, it's not enough. I had to introduce formula.

I'm very stressed about pumping. One minute, I think I can do it. Next, I'm crying my eyes out because I'm so tired. Also, my husband is home till the 31st and has been helping me. When he goes back to work, it will be that much harder.

It can be done but it's hard. I keep going back and forth about this. Breastfeeding would be so much easier!!! If you do decide to pump, buy extra parts!!!

Hope this helps. Sorry for the novel.

[justthetip]

As an EPer currently, I want to echo PPs who have said it's a bazillion times harder than either BF or FF. I'm not trying to say you shouldn't do it, but I wanted you to be aware that it's not an easy option by any means. If you really do want to EP, you should try to commit to EBF for at least the first few weeks. It's much harder to establish a good supply using only the pump, and the effort to pump 20 min every 2-3 hours around the clock (not including time for set up & cleaning of pump parts) is overwhelming. Once you have a good supply established, you can BF and/or pump easier. Many women have a really difficult time maintaining an adequate supply over time EP, because the baby is much more efficient at stimulating your nipples, draining the breast & therefore increasing supply than the pump is.

I BF and pumped at work for my daughter. BF was a challenge the first two weeks or so, but became super super easy after that. I just had my son via emergency CS at 30 weeks, and he's in the NICU. I won't be able to attempt BF for about a month still, so I'm EP now. I'm really struggling and I'm only a week in. I'm having a hard time getting enough pumping sessions in & getting my supply going.

I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but I think you should have realistic expectations that EP will be a challenge as well. You could always pump some and supplement with formula like many women do. Any way you feed your child is fine though. Wait & see how you feel about things once baby comes. You'll never know how things will pan out.

[daisycat]

I have some of the same thoughts and just don't know what to do. Add to that the fact that I will likely be back at work at least a few days a week at about 2-3 weeks out so I won't get the option of even attempting to ebf for 6 weeks like some people recommend. Because of this I worry that I'm just doomed to fail and I should just come up with another option

[hokiegirl82]

Wow thank you for all of the responses! I had no idea how difficult it could be to EP.

I think part of my aversion to BF is that is just seems ... odd... to have a human latched onto my boobs for so many hours of the day. I know it's one of the most natural things a woman can do, and so many women have done it/do it, for me it just seems so foreign. I've had huge boobs my entire life so a lot of focus has always been on them - trying to cloth them properly, finding the right kind of bra - and having them be such a focus on feeding someone makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I know this sounds silly but it's how I've been feeling for a long time.

Reading about how hard EP is - it makes me want to give BF the best try I can, supplementing with pumping (since I'll be going back to work after 12 weeks), but from what everyone is saying, if BF doesn't seem to work out after a good try, it might be better to go to FF than EP.

Thank you so much for giving me more to think about - I love the advice I get on these boards.

[shekels1222]

Mar 23, 2014 14:01:52 GMT -5 IndiaInk said:

Mar 23, 2014 13:07:22 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Having already nursed/pumped for one child, exclusive pumping would potentially be my last option. I know people make it work, but I would not start out with that as the goal. Exclusive pumping would be so much more work. For most people breastfeeding gets easier with time, pumping often only gets harder. It can be much harder to maintain your supply with just a pump.

What are your concerns with breastfeeding?

I have no experience with either, but I've heard this over and over again.  Just something to keep in mind.  

I third this. I breastfed my son for 16 months. I hated hated hated pumping. And breastfeeding was easy schmeasy after the first couple weeks. Pumping never got easier for me.

But you do what works best for you and your baby. I feel a lot of FTM think breastfeeding is awkward...why wouldn't it be? It's the first time you are ever doing it and you're nervous of course. I was. There IS a learning curve involved bu honestly though it was never awkward to feed my baby once he was here.

[teeah22]

I think the way you choose to feed your baby is a lot like a birth plan: you can have a plan in mind but be prepared for it to get thrown out the window.

My best advice is to have a few bottles and some formula on hand and then go from there. You may find BFing easy and natural or it may be a constant struggle that's ultimately not worth it to you. Your body may respond beautifully to the pump or you may spend an hour pumping only to get an ounce or two. You may discover that formula feeding is the most convenient option for you and your partner or you may find it so much easier to pop out a breast in the middle of the night as opposed to mixing bottles. I guess my point is to just keep an open mind and if you have to deviate from your plan out of necessity or just your sanity, it's ok. And the truth is, you don't know what's going to work or how you're going to feel until the baby is here.

[humpforfree]

Mar 23, 2014 17:13:46 GMT -5 hokiegirl82 said:

Wow thank you for all of the responses! I had no idea how difficult it could be to EP.

I think part of my aversion to BF is that is just seems ... odd... to have a human latched onto my boobs for so many hours of the day. I know it's one of the most natural things a woman can do, and so many women have done it/do it, for me it just seems so foreign. I've had huge boobs my entire life so a lot of focus has always been on them - trying to cloth them properly, finding the right kind of bra - and having them be such a focus on feeding someone makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I know this sounds silly but it's how I've been feeling for a long time.

Reading about how hard EP is - it makes me want to give BF the best try I can, supplementing with pumping (since I'll be going back to work after 12 weeks), but from what everyone is saying, if BF doesn't seem to work out after a good try, it might be better to go to FF than EP.

Thank you so much for giving me more to think about - I love the advice I get on these boards.

I haven't pumped much yet, so I don't have much advice about that, but it is also hard for me to process the baby hanging off of my boobs. I just try not to think about it too much (as the baby is currently nursing) lol.

[Deleted]

I don't hate pumping. I actually like seeing how much milk I am producing and how much the baby gets but I'm really into numbers like that. But pumping is sooo time consuming. I never realized. For example, middle of the night, you wake up and pump and someone has to give the baby a bottle or else you pump and then give the baby a bottle and wash all the parts. With bf, you just put the baby on the boob. I'm lazy and the extra 30 minutes of sleep is worth it to me.

[scribellesam]

Mar 23, 2014 17:13:46 GMT -5 hokiegirl82 said:

Wow thank you for all of the responses! I had no idea how difficult it could be to EP.

I think part of my aversion to BF is that is just seems ... odd... to have a human latched onto my boobs for so many hours of the day. I know it's one of the most natural things a woman can do, and so many women have done it/do it, for me it just seems so foreign. I've had huge boobs my entire life so a lot of focus has always been on them - trying to cloth them properly, finding the right kind of bra - and having them be such a focus on feeding someone makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I know this sounds silly but it's how I've been feeling for a long time.

Reading about how hard EP is - it makes me want to give BF the best try I can, supplementing with pumping (since I'll be going back to work after 12 weeks), but from what everyone is saying, if BF doesn't seem to work out after a good try, it might be better to go to FF than EP.

Thank you so much for giving me more to think about - I love the advice I get on these boards.

Regarding being uncomfortable with the idea, some women who feel this way while pregnant can have a total change of heart once LO arrives and find that nursing does actually feel like the most natural thing in the world.

On the other hand, it may still seem very strange and unappealing to you once you try it. Either is fine! But to me, it seems worth a try at least to see how it feels to you before you make the final decision.

[katinthehat]

Mar 23, 2014 17:13:46 GMT -5 hokiegirl82 said:

I think part of my aversion to BF is that is just seems ... odd... to have a human latched onto my boobs for so many hours of the day. I know it's one of the most natural things a woman can do, and so many women have done it/do it, for me it just seems so foreign. I've had huge boobs my entire life so a lot of focus has always been on them - trying to cloth them properly, finding the right kind of bra - and having them be such a focus on feeding someone makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I know this sounds silly but it's how I've been feeling for a long time.

So I'm another big boobed girl.  Really big boobs.  And I've hated them my entire life.

I was excited when I had my first because I was going to be all earthmothergoddess and my boobs would have a use.  Fail.  My milk never came in, I had to formula feed and I felt so much damn guilt every time I gave her a bottle.  Like, the good Lord gave me these knockers and they can't even do their job.  It was awful.

With my second, I did so much more work before and after she got here and BF'd her until she was 14.5 months old.  She never took a bottle (her preference) but did start on solids around 5 months old.

I found BFing in public with big boobs to be a challenge, but not that big of a deal.  And FINALLY I felt like these boobs were doing some good besides just giving people something to stare out.  Before Eliza, I hated the focus, hated the attention, just really hated my boobs.  And sometimes that's still there (especially trying to strap them down for running) but now, I'm proud of them.  Proud of the job they did and I feel okay with them.  I still want a reduction, but a lot of the personal issues I had towards my boobs was nullified by the amazing job they did nursing my baby.

I have some qualms about BFing this little dude (for some reason the idea of BFing a boy gives me more issues than my girls, I don't know why) but I also am really looking forward to, really looking forward to having them be useful and purposeful again and not just decorative

And I have to say (and I know moms with small boobs feel this way too so it's not just a big boob issue) but pumping really made me feel like an actual cow.  Like hook up my udders and get the milk out.  It was also a real problem to find a comfortable pump that fit my boobs and was able to handle their size.

Pumping is wonderful and absolutely a life saver for so many people - thank God for modern technology!  But I just think look at pumping as a last resort, not as your primary way of feeding because it really is oh so much easier to just BF whenever possible.

[noodleskooze]

If it doesn't make you uncomfortable, I think you should at least give BFing a shot. If it's not for you, then EP or FF.

I was unable to BF, so I ended up EPing for two months before switching to formula. Tbh, EPing is the biggest regret ever. I hated it, I had low supply, and I missed out on so much because I was pumping all the time. If I am unable to BF subsequent children, I will go straight to formula.

Mine is obviously only one perspective though. Others have fine EPing experiences.

[hokiegirl82]

Again thank you all for more great responses.

I am definitely going to give BF my best try, I don't want to not try at all and then possibly regret it later. I have always planned on trying for at least some of my mat leave since I figure it's the best time to focus on it since I won't be worrying about work too. I just want to keep all options open and not shut down. I think seeing so many babies sucking on boobs during the video today made it very very real that this is happening in a couple of months and that is scary.

Since this is so new to me I want to try things and not just give up before I've even tried.

[curbsideprophet]

Good luck! Establishing breastfeeding was the hardest thing I have ever done, but it was so worth it. I am glad I stuck with it. Neither DH or I was prepared for how hard it would be. It definitely took both of us (an sometimes a LC) to make it work.

[noodleskooze]

hokiegirl82 for what it's worth, if I had a decent supply, I imagine I would have kept up EPing until after mat leave was over and had an easier go of it pumping at work. To me the worst part of EPing was trying to care for a baby and pump at the same time.

[litasail]

I'm not going to lie. For us (like so many), BFing was HARD in the beginning. Making it through those first six weeks was by far the hardest thing I've ever done. I seriously considered EPing because at that time, it seems so much easier and faster.

But it's true - BFing gets easier and pumping just gets harder and harder. Now he eats WAY faster than I pump, and it's much more comfortable, too. I've pumped at work since I went back (when LO was 16 weeks) and it just sucks. If I had to do that for all of his milk, there's no way I would have made it. Especially because, even though I started with an oversupply, since he was about 9 months I haven't pumped as much as he needs (I pull from my freezer stash daily).

Anyway, I also wanted to comment on the big boob thing - I also have huge boobs, and I feel like the PP who said that she can finally appreciate them because they have a purpose. So true. I'm in complete awe that my body has grown him from two tiny cells to the healthy little man he is today (in addition to solids, which he's only recently started getting in to). Do I sometimes look down and think, "Huh, that's kind of strange. This baby is eating something that comes from my body?" Yep. But is it also amazing and the coolest thing I've ever done? Yes, for sure.

Anyway, I'm sure whatever way you choose to feed will be great and will be what works best for your family. Just know that, even if it's difficult/weird, it won't always be. Good luck!

[mrspost08]

My plan is to BF. I will give it the 3 months I am home with the baby. If it doesn't work I will FF. I am not going to put pressure on myself.

My baby will have to have formula when I have to get MRI's and CT Scans because they use contrast. The docs are just waiting for me to give birth to run these tests due to on going health issues I have.

I will also put people in their place if they start giving me their opinions. I will do what I feel is best for my family.

[chicago]

I knew I wanted to try bf but, like you, I found the whole concept odd and maybe even a little off putting. I didn't think so when I thought about other people bfing, but I couldn't picture myself doing it AT ALL.

Fast forward to the day dd was born. It felt like something I wanted to do and didn't seem weird in a gross way, but it is weird in an amazement way. I can't believe my body can nourish her, I can't believe she knows how to feed from me. It's really difficult but totally worth it right now. If at some point it makes more sense to pump or ff, I'll do that and that's ok too.

Do what's best for you.

[VillainV]

Mar 23, 2014 18:25:03 GMT -5 teeah22 said:

I think the way you choose to feed your baby is a lot like a birth plan: you can have a plan in mind but be prepared for it to get thrown out the window.

Thanks so much for this reminder!  As a FTM, I think I feel like I need to have a "plan" for everything -- and obviously everyone seems to have an opinion on what that plan should be!  I think having a plan in mind helps me to feel like I have more control over something that is just a huge unknown to me still!  Thanks for reminding me that my plan might not work, and that it's okay to go to plan B (or C or D) :-)

[teeah22]

Mar 24, 2014 5:32:50 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Mar 23, 2014 18:25:03 GMT -5 teeah22 said:

I think the way you choose to feed your baby is a lot like a birth plan: you can have a plan in mind but be prepared for it to get thrown out the window.

Thanks so much for this reminder!  As a FTM, I think I feel like I need to have a "plan" for everything -- and obviously everyone seems to have an opinion on what that plan should be!  I think having a plan in mind helps me to feel like I have more control over something that is just a huge unknown to me still!  Thanks for reminding me that my plan might not work, and that it's okay to go to plan B (or C or D) :-)

I get it, I'm very type A   I'm a major planner but having kids means you have to learn to roll with it.

I went through some major stress when my milk started drying up at 4 months and my pumping output wasn't meeting demand.  We switched to formula (I had such a hard time with this decision) and it was like this huge weight had been lifted off of me.  It wasn't what I wanted or what I planned on but my baby was getting fed and it was fine.  It was totally fine.  And in the end not being tied to the pump was such a relief.

[katinthehat]

Mar 23, 2014 22:16:14 GMT -5 mrspost08 said:

My plan is to BF. I will give it the 3 months I am home with the baby. If it doesn't work I will FF. I am not going to put pressure on myself.

My baby will have to have formula when I have to get MRI's and CT Scans because they use contrast. The docs are just waiting for me to give birth to run these tests due to on going health issues I have.

I will also put people in their place if they start giving me their opinions. I will do what I feel is best for my family.

FWIW, I had an MRI done with contrast and my pedi was fine with one session of pump and dump. 

[mrspost08]

Mar 24, 2014 8:49:48 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

Mar 23, 2014 22:16:14 GMT -5 mrspost08 said:

My plan is to BF. I will give it the 3 months I am home with the baby. If it doesn't work I will FF. I am not going to put pressure on myself.

My baby will have to have formula when I have to get MRI's and CT Scans because they use contrast. The docs are just waiting for me to give birth to run these tests due to on going health issues I have.

I will also put people in their place if they start giving me their opinions. I will do what I feel is best for my family.

FWIW, I had an MRI done with contrast and my pedi was fine with one session of pump and dump. 

I will ask when the time comes what I should do. I find that interesting only one session. When I've had them in the past they tell me it takes 24 hours for the contrast to completely leave my body & to drink lots of water.
I'm thankful to be preg right now because its keep me out if that MRI machine. I'm dreading that more than labor. Lol