Can Pumping from the Start Work?

yes, my daughter was in the NICU for a month, so i did not have the optionto breast feed. I pumped and brought the milk to her. it worked just fine. she also never had a problem changing over to a bottle, because she was already on one.

Hey! I saw your request for info and thought I would share my story with you. My oldest (who is 8 now) had a very hard delivery and wouldn't latch on at all for me. He did great with the lactation consultant but not for me so I gave up. My husband bought me a fairly inexpensive dual pump from Babies -R-Us and I pumped for 6 months. The kind I had would let me screw on a bottle to the bottle or use theirs that came with it. In the beginning I would pump and them feed him. The milk was the perfect temperature so I didn't have to do a thing to it. I produced so much milk that I would freeze several more feedings with each pumping. I was able to pump for 6 months. In the end, it got to be a pain as I was in a playgroup by then and I couldn't pump at the playgroup if he ate there. I also had a time when I had a relative in the hospital and it was difficult finding somewhere private in the hospital to pump (go figure). It was worth it. Luckily I didn't have to continue that when my 2nd was born. He was the kind of latch on!! Try letting your new baby latch on first because he may just be different. But if not, you can get breast milk to your baby by pumping. Take care and good luck!!

C. Jones

I've heard that many times, second children don't have the same problems as the first. You should give the breastfeeding a chance with the baby and see if the same issues exist. It may be a breeze!

If you do have the same difficulties, have you tried a nipple guard? They come in different sizes, and they were a lifesaver with my baby. He used it for about 6-8 months, and absolutely couldn't latch on without it. Make sure you get the right size...I started with one sized wrong (given to me from the lactation consultant in the hospital) and it was a disaster.

According to my lactation consultant, Judy Eastburn...who's WONDERFUL! pumping exclusively is possible (moms with premies sometimes need to do this) but you need the hospital-grade pump. I pumped colostrum in the hospital, and fed it to my baby through a plastic syringe before he got the hang of breastfeeding. It was a total pain...and in the early days when you're not getting much sleep, pumping then feeding is a real time-sucker! I had to breastfeed, then bottle-feed then pump to help my supply. Wow...it's a process! But, it can be done. Good luck!

Every baby is different, so who's to say this new baby won't get the hang of nursing right away? If not, yes pumping from the start should work. I pumped a lot (probably 70% of the time) with my first boy and was able to give him breastmilk until he was 7 mos old. It was easier for me because he had his schedule and I had mine and I had the luxury of having his grandma to then help with the feedings. Just make sure you have a good pump, I used the Medela Pump & Style.

It lools like you have some good advice. I too could not breastfeed with my first child. I am very large breasted. I am currently breastffeding my second child and we have made it 6 months. One fact I was told that is very important is a retail sold pump is not made to help your milk come in. It is good at expressing once your milk is in. A hospital grade pump will help your milk come in. I started pumping with a hospital grade pump very soon after my second child was born. I pumped for a month or so. She seemed to get it with in a few weeks. I do not pump anymore and she is doing great. You can rent hospital grade pumps if you need. Good Luck

Hi C.!
This is L. - an IBCLC in private practice in Richardson.
Yes - Mothers can pump exclusively from the beginning - colostrum can be collected after pumping into the bottle with a syringe and fed to baby until the mature milk arrives in a couple days. Then by pumping frequently, mothers maintain their supply and provide mother's milk to meet their baby's needs.
I work with many woman that have larger breasts and you're right - their needs are different.
I'd encourage you to give breastfeeding a try. Request help from an IBCLC at your hospital. Let the hospital staff know when you arrive in labor that you need to see the Lactation Consultant after you're settled in the postpartum area.
Consider, too, that this is a different baby and you've breastfed before - even if it was two days, you have experience. Many mothers find breastfeeding the second time around is easier.
If you haven't already seen these links, you might enjoy:
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/large.html
http://parenting.ivillage.com/newborn/nbreastfeed/0,,40sm...
Best wishes for your upcoming birth!
L.

Yes I pumped from the beginning after breast feeding caused more tears (of frustration for both of us) than joy. The only thing is that my milk supply quickly depleted, after about 4 1/2 monts, so I had to supplement with formula. I heard that when you pump your milk supply doesn't last as long. I had a hospital grade pump, where I could do both breast at the same time and it was electric and battery pack. I felt like a cow, but it was nice at 2 in the morning.

I pumped from 3 mos on- full time. I went back to work early & still wanted to give my baby the best. I used the Ameda pump- I loved it- compact & traveled with me everywhere. Also get a pumping bra- tube top w/ holes to fit in the pumps to free up your hands. This helped me at work. It does take planning- how to keep the milk cold, but if you keep it in your routine it will work. It did get a little tricky when my baby girl got older, I just sat her on the bed & played a game with her until I was done. Hope this helps!!

My son was born premature and was in the NICU and I pumped from day one. It took a few days for the milk to come in but I still pumped. I pumped every 3 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night. I agree that you should invest in a good pump. I also used the Medella Pump in Style.

I had trouble breastfeeding for 3 weeks after my daughter was born. I pumped and gave it to her in a bottle for those weeks. I finally ended up nursing her and just recently stopped. She took the bottles fine when I gave them to her. I do recommend renting a hospital grade pump since you would be using it so often. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Hi C.,
I don't think there is enough colostrum to pump, I remember that the nurse told me it's only a few teaspoons worth, so that's why they gave my son forumla at first. I have large breasts (size 40 DDD) when not pregnant...so you can imagine how full they were when the milk came in. I too had a problem with nursing my first son, but was able to successfully nurse with after help from the lactation consultant. With my second son, I expected to have problems and I didn't. He latched on fine after a few attempts and nursed for a year. I will tell you the football position worked well for me b/c of my large breast. You may not have any issues this time around (seems our bodies kind know better what to do the second time around). My sons are 17 months a a part in age. I will tell you it's hard at first, but they are now 3 y/o and 22 months old and it's the best. They play together which frees me up to at least start dinner. And the other day my older son told his brother that he was his best friend. I cried it was so sweet!

I hope you expereince the same joy. Good luck with bf!

I currently have twins in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and I have been pumping from the beginning so that they can receive breast milk. I have been pumping every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night. It has worked but it definitely took some patience and several days to get my milk going. I can tell that I produce more milk when they latch on to my breast in addition to just pumping and I am only breastfeeding 15 minutes a day since they are preemies. I have very large breasts as well and it has helped me to roll up a receiving blanket and place under my breasts to support them. You might want to try that. Hope this helps and good luck!

My daughter was a preemie and unable to latch so I pumped for a few months. I was not a big milk producer so I stopped after she gained weight and was doing well, about 8 weeks. My son never latched on even with a lactation consultant's help. He was doing a funny tongue motion. I pumped until he was 11 months. Again, I was not a big producer so supplemented here and there with formula. Ask for a pump in the hospital so your insurance will pay for the tubes, etc. You get to take that home and it works with the Pump-n-Style or rental pump. If you are going to pump for a long time, buy a pump as the rentals will get very expensive. Does your work have a Mother's room? Mine did, with a hospital grade pump to use. All mother's had to bring their own tubes, etc of course and there was fridge for milk storage. Since you're due in January there might be time to get something set up at work. Pumping for a year or more can be done, it just takes a lot of time and commitment, but it's worth it if you can do it.

yes yes yes.

i had about 6 different lactation nurses but none could really help bc my daughter was abiter from teh begining. so i started pumping the 2nd day and 8mo later i am still pumping. it's definately not as beautiful (it's a pain in teh rear) and it's not as effecient as breastfeeding, but it is providing wonderful antibodies. you probably won't make as much milk as you would if you were breasfeeding but any bit is better than none. it takes a lot of time bc you have to bottle feed the baby and then get on the pump. so get a dual pump electric to cut the time in half. you can rent from the hospital a hospital grade pump.

it takes a couple of days to get the milk flowing. but that's true for everyone. give it a chance, who knows, maybe i twill work better with baby#2. good luck.