To Breastfeeding Moms

Start eating your meals in the bathroom and maybe you'll change your mind about not nursing in public :)
You can be discreet and still feed your baby from your breast. I expose a whole lot more while at the beach with my kids than I ever do nursing them. Our bodies came with breasts for a reason and it's not for our husbands' benefit. I would never ask a bottle feeding mother to feed their baby under a blanket or in another room so why should a breastfeeding mother have to do that? There was a study a few years ago about nursing with covers and it showed that those mothers nursed their babies for a shorter time than the mothers who don't use nursing covers. Just food for thought. I have nursed both my kids so obviously I feel that it's best but in all reality it IS best. I don't say that to try to make anyone feel guilty. Guilt is self-imposed but because it is a fact. This has been proven time and time again. Whatever choice you make, make sure it is informed and stand behind your decision.

3 moms found this helpful

I know where you come from.
My younger sister was the first mother in our family (among our generation, sisters and cousins. All mother, aunts, grand-mothers had always bottle-fed. When she announced that she would be breastfeeding, she didn't receive any support and we were thinking the whole idea was gross! I was very uncomfortable with her breastfeeding in my presence...
Then, I got pregnant, read a lot about it, has 3 breastfed nephews and decided to try it.
I had my son on the breast right at birth and that completely changed my mindset about it. It was just normal and natural after all. I loved it and had no problem. I never experienced sore or cracked nipples....
It took me weeks before I would breastfeed outside home and a friend offered me a "bebe au lait" nursing cover. I used it a lot at the beginning and then, just got used to the idea and it didn't bother me that much (I was also better at covering myself and not exposing my skin)
I was pumping so my son had my milk when I would go to evening class with no problem. Then, I had a couple of 3-4 days business trips when I had to pump exclusively and in a matter of 2-3 days, I could notice my milk supply going drastically down, even though I was pumping more often than my son was nursing! So, for successful pumping, I would advise you either to pump with your baby very nearby or to try having him/her on the breast when relaxed at home. Some nursing books advise to pump thinking of your baby, watching a picture or with him/her next to you to have the milk let down. I would also advise a good pump, maybe an electric double pump.

Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful

the con is that you will be taking twice as long to feed your baby. it also would be quite difficult in the very beginning to produce enough milk if you never put the baby on your breast, its just not the same. i have heard of some women being able to do it, but often, then need to supplement since the stimulation is not the same.

look, i completely understand where you are coming from. i felt the same exact way with daughter number one. never tried breastfeeding. daughter number 2, i decided to try it. i was so modest at first. there are many types of breastfeeding covers that will fully cover you no matter where you are. then, after awhile, i became a pro and used a lightweight recieving blanket or even a lovey type blanket. i was never baring it all, and i actually never see anyone doing that either. i have fed her in a restaurant at the table with a blanket and no one even knew she was there. you do eventually find a comfort level. for months, i would go upstairs when my inlaws or father was there. you could breastfeed and work it out so you arent doing it in public, like feeding in the car before going shopping at the mall.

and also, i dont see why you couldnt breastfeed at home, go alone for the feeding if people are over, and just bottle feed when out in public. i dont know how social you are, but i would have to think you could build up enough milk in your freezer with an extra pumping one or two times a day.

i dont know if this was the suggestions you wanted, but i will be honest. i dont think you will be able to go longterm with the pumping only. usually women who do are the type who fully believe in breastfeeding but cant for one reason or another. pumping is not something fun to do, and if you dont like the idea of breastfeeding, sitting there with 2 suctions cups attached wont be any better.

i will tell you, you are right, you may not have the support from family. they are going to sabotage you, not meaning to, but they will. "are you sure he is getting enough" will be asked over and over. they dont want to feel they didnt "choose best" by bottle feeding. and they will be jealous they arent part of the feeding, they will worry the baby will be bonded too closely to you. they will question everytime he cries, that he is hungry. but if you dont get the support there, you find it somewhere else. you just need one friend to be your link to the correct info.

i swear, its easier. no night bottle warmings. no ice packs. no bottle washing. you will save so much money. i was you, never was going to breastfeed. after doing it will my youngest(and she never had a bottle her whole life), i would never bottle feed again. you can decide what you feel comfortable with, it doesnt have to be all or nothing. you dont have to breastfeed in public, and you certainly dont have to be whipping it out uncovered to be the poster mom for state nursing laws. you can nurse without being the type of mother you yourself find offensive. you could nurse only at night, you could nurse 3 times a day. whatever makes you feel comfortable.

i wish you lots of luck, i had one aunt who breastfed all her children due to financial reasons really. i remember her as a child, if it hadnt been for her, i would have never even seen a woman nursing until well into adulthood. what we are exposed to really does affect our decision, but dont let others choices dictate yours. if you need any help, contact me anytime for my email.

3 moms found this helpful

I did it. I pumped between classes at school, before and after, and at night. I am not a morning person, but I hear that is the best time to pump, as there is more milk in breasts then. I used Medela pumps. I had a Lactina Select rented from the hospital (hospital grade = top notch) for home and a hand-held one for when I was not home. I would park at school away from other cars, put a cover over myself just in case someone were to happen to walk by, and pump all I could for 20 minutes between classes. I was able to produce enough to give my son breast milk exclusively for 18 months (well, food too, but no formula) before introducing cow's milk.

My son would rarely take both breasts in a single nursing session, so I sometimes let him nurse one side and pump the other at the same time. They say this helps get more milk pumped, but I am not entirely sure it worked like that for me. Like everything else in life, everyone's experiences are different.

I never had any pain except when I was engorged, then it was easily realeased when I pumped. Occasionally my nipples would hurt, but I was determined not to give my son formula. It was tollerable, not unbearable.

I would go to a few La Leche League meetings and try to be more comfortable with nursing in public. There are some really great wraps available out there, and some are quite stylish. Search Internet or Etsy for a variety of options.

HTH! Blessings to you and congrats!!

2 moms found this helpful

I bf both my kids...I did the pumping thing with my first...so daddy could feed, yadda yadda etc etc...it was a pain in the sense that you are always trying finding time to do it...cleaning and sterilizing the equipment. It was never painful in causing physical pain. So much easier to just let him eat straight from the breast...when we were out as long as i had a nursing cover, you couldn't really see anything and so he just ate under there...sometimes I would go to the car or find a more private place (mostly it embarrassed my husband that I was doing THAT in public).

With my daughter I was so comfortable I would just stick her on there any old place...with a nursing cover...she would never even take a bottle...which was a pain because i couldn't leave her with anyone, until she was about 6 months old.

I too was very uncomfortable with breastfeeding and thought I would only do it one day at a time...and of there was physical pain much less cracked or bleeding anything I was going straight to formula. No problem my son had a good latch and I had a good supply and away we went. I never thought I would end up bf one child much less two.

Whatever you decide is totally fine as long as you feed the baby it is all good!! HUGS!!

1 mom found this helpful

I tried pumping the first time. I had twins and well round the clock breastfeeding times two was hard. Pumping on top of it was 10 times harder. So I nursed and formula fed for the first 4 months then went to just formula.

Wow I dont see how a mother feeding her child in public is offensive. No more than anyone else eating in public. Breasts are for feeding babies. Cows do it and do not cover their calves heads with a blanket. I was never ashamed to feed my child in a natural way and told many cover your head in public if you find it offensive. Its not like by boob is hang out all over the place but I am not going to cover my baby's head and not be able to see that he/she is ok while eating. I dont see it as exposing my breast I am feeding my child end of story.

1 mom found this helpful

When my son was a newborn (3 weeks old) we were in a horrible car accident and he spent almost 2 months in the NICU. I was a breastfeeding mom and produced TONS of milk...enough to feed a small village. Seriously, before the accident I could feed him exclusively on one side and then pump 7 out of the other side...and do that every 2-3 hours. Oooops, okay, the point! While he was in NICU he was not eating at all, of course. He was on life support! So, I decided to pump the whole time he was in there. I pumped day and night approx every 4ish hours. By the time we left the hospital (2 months) I had to supplement with formula. This from a woman who produced a ton! I did continue to breastfeed and bottle feed until he was about 15 months and then went straight to bottle. I know a lot of women would have given up, but it was very important to me that he get the nutrients of breastmilk.
So, walk you through exclusive pumping. I think it is a big ol' pain in the butt. But, if it's something that you are truly willing to do, then it is possible! I personally didn't have any pain doing it, but every woman is different. It takes a lot of commitment, realizing you have to do it around the clock, just like normal breastfeeding, or else your supply goes down. Same thing as breastfeeding, you need to drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest (which is crazy with three! I am prego with my third as well)..
You could always try and breastfeed just at night so you are not feeding in front of anyone...it may be easier then pumping.
L.

1 mom found this helpful

Pumping and breastfeeding would be inconvenient, but I think it's definitely worth looking into in your situation. My sister pumps exclusively because her baby has been in the hospital since he was born because of a heart defect. The doctors encouraged her to pump so that he could have the benefits of her milk even though he "eats" it through a tube. It was hard at first because she had to wake up in the night to pump, but now she just pumps before bed and right when she gets up and that works for her (her baby is two months now). Bottom line, it would be a pain, but definitely doable and worth a shot, even if you are only able to keep it up for a few months. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Didn't read all the responses so my apologies if I'm repeating advise! I breastfed my first exclusively and I'm breastfeeding my second with some bottles (breast milk and formula) when I have to be away from him. With my first I did pump and try to bottle feed him in public but he never took a bottle and pumping was always a little painful.

Anyway, I have the Ameda pump and love it but it wasn't until after my second was born and I met with the hospital's lactation consultant and she recommended a larger flange size (the part that goes up against the breast and nipple) - what a HUGE difference this made for comfort. So I recommend that after you deliver, have the lactation consultant give you some advice for what size you need. Also, my second was in the NICU for a while and although I was able to bf the whole time, the lactation consultant gave me a chart for how many times a day to pump so maybe your hospital will be able to give you something like that as well.

As for nursing in public, I have a cover called the Bebe aulait - it's like an apron with a wire on top that creates a nice opening so you can see baby but no one else can. They now offer these covers (or very similar ones) at Target. This provides for complete privacy and comfort - when I started with my first I was very uncomfortable and didn't go out much and if I did I would feed him in changing rooms or even bathrooms! But once I got the cover I was much more comfortable and they come in such stylish prints that people usually don't even give you a second look because they think its part of your outfit or something!

While being able to bottle feed my youngest is nice - especially when I'm not with him - I have to say that it is very convenient to bf - especially at night when I can just nurse him and lay him back down - no mixing or measuring or warming of milk required. If you plan on pumping exclusively, you'll most likely have to pump just as often as feed and it might be nice to just nurse the baby - at least while you are at home - to keep your supply up and to not have to hassle with cleaning the equipment!

Hope this helps and best of luck to you and your baby and don't worry about support - you've got us Mamas!

1 mom found this helpful

Well I breast fed both my babies and I am so for it but like you said I won't go into all the benefits.....I'll just give you facts and my opinion on the matter. So with both babies when I started breast feeding it hurt A LOT! Like for a month. I had sore, cracked, bleeding nipples. But for me I loved the bonding so much that I pushed through that and then after the first month it was easy with no pain. I did try to pump a little with my first but it was a pain in the butt. I just felt like it was hard to find time to sit down and pump at all hours of the day. Also if you only pump and never actually breast feed after a few months your milk will decrease. Even with all the pumping it just doesn't stimulate the breast and milk production the same way as when your baby actually nurses. As for nursing in public....with my first I had a really hard time doing it and only did it a couple of times but with my second I was way more comfortable with it all and I nursed her everywhere and anywhere. But I always, always covered up. I had one of those nursing blankets with the strap around the neck so your hands can be free while keeping your front totally covered. It is actually called a hooter hider LOL. But there are tons of pros to breast feeding. You never need to wash bottles or buy formula, the milk is always right there and ready with no heating up. At night it's so nice cause when your baby wakes you can just bring them to bed with you and fall back asleep while they are eating. It totally helps me to shed all my baby weight super fast. Also I know lots of moms that do both, breast feeding and formula. Like you they are uncomfortable with nursing in public to they nurse their baby at home and at night but in public they feed them a bottle of formula. If you do both from the day they are born they usually get used to both and will switch back and forth. So that is another thought too. I know this is a very personal subject but if you are playing around with the idea of breast feeding I say at least give it a try for a couple weeks and if you don't like it you can always go back to formula no harm done. :)

1 mom found this helpful

I don't think you are crazy at all, i didn't feel comfortable brestfeeding in pubIic, but I do think you would get burned out of exclusively pumping all day long. I breastfeed my daughter and yes, it was really hard at the beginning but after a few weeks it was fine. You can get help from local breastfeeding support places, doula or a midwife or your OB. I did pump for times when I was going to be out, and I pumped at work sometimes (part time schedule) but at home I exclusively nursed her. Since the hard part really only lasts a few weeks, it really is a lot easier to nurse, saves a lot of time pumping, and washing bottles, and in the middle of the night you don't have to go in to the kitchen!

1 mom found this helpful

Before I had my kids I was just like you... I didn't think I would breastfeed and I was ok with that. Just thought bottle was the way to go...
But I did decide to give it a go and was shocked how much I loved it! It is a bit painful in the beginning, but I got over that within a week or so.
I didn't feed out in public very often at all but when I had to I had a coverup that was all around. You would know what I was doing, but couldn't see anything at all. To me people can't take offense to that...
I even used the coverup in the house when people would stop by for visits. I just used it when ever I thought someone would be around that would feel uncomfortable.
I will say however I did also do one formula bottle a day. While I loved breastfeeding, when we were out and about it just was easier to give the baby a bottle so we could get things done. My little ones got all the good stuff from me, but also could take the taste of formula and nipple with ease. I had the best of both worlds.

As for pumping! UGH I hated it! I did it with the first because I thought I had to, but ended up throwing away so much frozen milk. So with the second I never saved any of it and only pumpled to keep my milk up at night when she started sleeping through the night. I always just dumped it. I was just over sterilizing everything each night and being so careful. Once I started dumping it I would still clean my pump, but I never had to get it THAT clean to make sure baby could drink it. I just poured it out. Pumping is the worst part of breastfeeding. But I imagine you dont' have to do it at all if you don't want to. But for me I had to to keep my milk up a bit.
I honeslty think you will hate the long process of pumping so much and give it up after awhile. But that isn't so bad... at least your little one will get some good stuff from you for awhile.

I would say since you seem open to the idea give it a go... get with a lactation consultant at the hospital and go follow up with them. They help SO much! They can even come to your home. I don't think I could have made it without her! She just gives you so much advice and help! With the second I didn't need help, but that was becasue I finally knew what I was doing :)

Good luck and at least explore it a bit...

1 mom found this helpful

I nursed my son for 16 months and managed to never feed him anywhere more public than the backseat of our SUV. The public thing also made me very uncomfortable and my family was not supportive at all. Since my son ate on the same schedule everyday, we planned our outings specifically around feeding times. It restricted what I could do and when, but that was better for me than feeding in public. I know it is no big deal for some women, but I'm very private. When I did pump, it was never painful. I can't imagine pumping exclusively just because it took me a long time and I'm lazy! It was so much easier just to nurse, no pump parts to clean, etc. I do have to say that with no family background or support (just like you), learning to breastfeed was difficult for me. Thankfully, I found two wonderful lactation consultants at the hospital where I delivered and joined a breastfeeding support group immediately. For me, it was worth the frustration and pain of learning and the lack of independence. If I'm blessed with another, I'll do it again.

1 mom found this helpful

Cons: It doesn't work as well as breastfeeding because you do not have a baby giving your body signals on how much to produce (i.e. growth spurts). I felt like my transitioning from exclusive breastfeeding to pumping (at work) was the start of the end for my supply.

Pros: You are willing to work twice as hard as you need to to do something awesome for your baby. Go mom! But get a hospital grade double pumper...Spare no expanse.

1 mom found this helpful

I nursed both my kids and definately didn't love it. Honestly, I thought it was kind of a pain, often literally. I have huge breasts and had enough milk for twins, easily. I could pump a lot of milk in a very short amount of time, so pumping wasn't a big deal, but, especially at the beginning, it does mean that feeding takes twice as long (one "feeding" to pump and one "feeding" to feed).

This was my thinking: even though I didn't love nursing, I also didn't really like being pregnant, and that was totally "worth it." So I tried to think of it as expanding my pregnancy to do what was best for my kids. I don't know if that's super encouraging, but I do encourage you to try it at least. Maybe you'll surprise yourself and it's really easy! Or maybe you'll quit. But you won't know unless you try. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

I've breastfed all three of my kids. My son the longest now, he is 17 months old. I'm not comfortable with breastfeeding in public. I say give breastfeeding a try though. It is easier than pumping, and, I don't think it would be hard for you to learn if you have a history of producing so much milk. As for the "support system" I just spouted out the research to those who didn't support me. My son now only nurses in the morning and at bedtime, so, I don't have to worry about "public nursing" now. But, when that was all he had, I just scheduled my outings around his every 3 - 4 hour nursing schedule. Most of the places we went had somewhere I could go, to where I didn't have to "publicly" nurse. Heck, even Wal-Mart has a "customer service" area in the back with benches, that is always practically empty. I got a great nursing cover, and, it looked just like I was rocking a baby. As he got too big for a cover, I could offer him snacks to hold him over until he could nurse. I've nursed in my car many times. And, I've used "nursing rooms" at stores or malls.
That said, pumping is important too. It is not that bad once you learn how. The learning curve is easy. But, honestly, after doing it with 3 kids, it is easier to actually BF than pump. I was totally anti-breastfeeding before my first daughter was born, but, nature told me I needed to try it and I did. It is funny how quickly you can become a "breastfeeding crazy" once you realize how easy it is. It really makes you wonder why so many women don't at least TRY what nature intended us to do! ;) (I'm not saying that to put anyone down. I'm simply saying this from my own, personal experience. I know it is not easy for everyone, but, for me, I felt like a dummy that I didn't even want to try before my daughter was born!)
***I have to add also. There is something SO special about the baby nursing almost as soon as he/she is born. Watching them and seeing how natural it is, you know you are making the right decision. I wish I had given my first born that in retrospect. Instead I waited until she was a day older before trying nursing.

1 mom found this helpful

The first 2 weeks of breastfeeding is hard, but after that, it's soooo much easier than bottles! No matter where you go, you have some food for your hungry baby.
I hate it when people breastfeed in public, too. If you look around, you'll find that there are many options for private places to feed your baby. Sometimes, we sit in our car with the sunshade up and a blanket over my shoulder. Sometimes I sit in the back seat of our minivan. There are mothers/nursing rooms in most malls that I've looked for them in, or sometimes public bathrooms have a couch or sitting area in them. In a store, I've also gone to dressing rooms, sometimes grabbing an item of clothing so I can pretend to be trying it on, sometimes just asking for a room to feed the baby. I've never been turned away or even gotten a funny look.

While I have not done the pump thing much, it seems to me like you'll also have to find places to pump, and that will probably be harder/more awkward to do. I think the flexibility of being able to nurse or pump depending on the situation would be ideal for you.

I have breastfed 3 kids now, I I'm still uncomfortable nursing in lots of situations. I've also enjoyed the freedom of letting someone else feed the baby, or now that he's 7 months, he can hold his own bottle and feed himself. it's great. But it's so much easier when we're out and about to pop into someplace quiet and private and nurse him, than to bother with packing bottles and formula and looking for a source of hot water!

1 mom found this helpful

Congrats on your upcoming addition to your family! I breastfed both my babies until they were 1 year old. My decisions were mostly financial b/c it was free vs. a lot of money on formula. My first was about a month long process of her and I learning how to do it. I was so close to quitting a couple times and was very glad I stuck it out. I was a very modest breastfeeder and always had a cover for public. I think every mom has to make a choice of what works for them. I hate to hear people feeling pressure to do one or the other. You need to do what is best for your family. I found pumping to be extremely time consuming and a huge pain. Some people also have a harder time keeping up their supply if they only pump. By the time you pump and then clean the parts, it is practically time for the next pumping. With 3 kids, I can't imagine you having a lot of time for pumping. You could try nursing in private and then just always having bottles pumped for when you have to go into public. Best of luck with your third and whatever you decide to do will be what is best for your family. Don't let others pressure you into something you don't feel is right for you.

1 mom found this helpful

With my first son I breastfed and pumped because I worked. I think one of the most difficult parts of pumping is the cleaning of the parts of the machine and making sure your milk is properly stored. But I probably think this because in contrast, nursing can be so easy. Put the baby on the breast and done. The other negative would be the 'double' time. You still need to feed the baby and then you need to pump. The good thing about pumping and nursing is that you should be making plenty of milk.

With my second, I was a stay at home mom and I nursed exclusively. When I had to breastfeed in public, I used a cape specifically made for making breastfeeding private. (They sell them everywhere including Target.) I also wore clothing made for breastfeeding so that it was easy to just pull down or lift up the part of the shirt needed. I know for a fact that noone ever saw any indecent part of me. (My husband would have definitely said something). I remember being so amused with my baby because we went over to a friend's house and her baby's bottle was on the floor. My baby picked it up and clearly did not know what it was for. His look of wonder was comical.

I am currently nursing my third baby. She is ten months old so we are at a point where my milk supply is well established and she is also taking solids. So this time I also use formula when I need to which can mean when I go out, mixing it with cereal or when my husband feeds her. I am at peace with this decision because though I am still breastfeeding, I am making my life work with three children. She had jaundice when she was born so the doctors told me to use formula because it help with getting rid of jaundice.

Good luck.... if you are using a breast pump right, it shouldn't hurt. Make sure you invest in a good one. The Pump In Style worked well for me. Talk to a lactation consultant in the hospital when the baby is born. They can teach you to use the breast pump the right way.

In the end you will find what works for you. As you can see, for me, that meant something different each time.

I didn't read all the relies so I hope this isn't too redundant. I dont think you are crazy because I understand how some families look at the body.I had a baby who had a poor sucking reflex and so it was easier for her to take a bottle. I pumped for two months and it was exhausting. It takes tons of time and by the time I would finish feeding her ( it took forever to feed her) then pump for the next feeding I would have little to no time to sleep before I had to start over again. I hated it. My life revolved around this. It didn't hurt but I felt like a cow at the pump. When I finally had to get on medication I was so relieved when I went to formula. And my child was healthier than all my friends who had breast feed babies in spite of how we went everywhere her first year. That being said I came from a family that never breast feed. My mom even had enough nerve to tell me how discussing it was and that she wouldn't want to be around me. So I had no support but I wish I knew then about all the help that was out there through groups, so don't let your families decision influence yours. As for feeding please keep in mind that not every women has to leave the house and feed or that you are exposed, I've had tons of friends that would just have big shirts and/or blankets and you never see a thing. Good luck we your next little one.

As I am sure that you have heard Breastfeeding can be quite painful at first. After a couple of weeks though-no problem. But there will be some wincing at first. I think pumping is less painful than nursing (although after a few weeks it makes no difference to me). make sure you have a GOOD pump, a double electric pump. They are expensive but look around online for a good deal. so worth the money. i love, avsolutely love, my avent isis iq duo. i did A LOT of research before buying it and am so glad that I did. Rather than some pre programmed speeds it adjusts to whatever pattern you set, wjich is very helpful especially if you are sore. I have a fast let down so I can pump 4-8 oz, (depending) in like 5-10 minutes. no biggy.
You could also try renting a pump from the hospital for a while to see if you like it and can handle it and stuff.
SOME BENEFITS
I will tell you hat on roadtrips pumping is so much better than formula. you can pump it and give it to them fresh without having to worry about warm water or bottle warmers.
its way WAY cheaper than formula (especially if your kids have any sensitivies). your body makes whatever yoyr baby needs, so no worries there either.
it really does help with babies nt getting sick too because if you get something they get the antibodies you make and either don't get it or not as bad.
good luck

In my experience (manual) pumping is more time consuming - maybe marginally more painful till you get the hang of it - than nursing.

One thing to add to previous posts- I'm pregnant with number 5 and found out that our insurance (regence) now considers electric pumps to be a medical devise and will cover 90% of the purchase cost of a specific model. I've never used an electric pump- they've always been cost prohibitive- but it may be worth checking with your insurance company to find out if it is available to you, as it will probably make your life much easier if you choose to pump 100%

spend the money for a quality pump. cheap ones can be painful. don't even bother with a manual one. you'll be exhausted anyway so you don't need any extra work. plus they take longer and you have two other kids to juggle. you can find good pumps on ebay and craigslist if you're not sure you want to invest a lot into this. or you can buy brand new and sell it when you are finished. i was less comfortable with my boys seeing me use a pump than with them seeing me breastfeed. so it was hard for me to arrange a way to pump without them banging on the door. if i started to feel crowded or uncomfortable while breastfeeding i could just throw on a light blanket or nursing cover and ask them to play at a distance.

I breastfed my three girls, and pumping was much harder than letting them simply breastfeed. Sometimes it was painful, not always, but in general my milk production was off when I wasn't nursing them naturally. If I tried pumping all the time rather than nursing, my milk would have continually decreased and I would have to have stopped.

If you are uncomfortable nursing in public, you could always use a shield -- I've seen moms using them and they work really well. They are like light blankets that are fastened around your neck, so you are completely covered while nursing. I think if you try it, you may be surprised at how much support for breastfeeding comes your way.

A., breast feeding is not for everyone. However aside from the benefits to the baby there is also the bonding time for you and your little one. When you into the hospital they can help you with positioning and latching if that is what you choose to try. I breastfed fed all 3 of my children but I like you do noy feel comfortable just whipping it out in public so if we were somewhere that wasn't convienient to nurse then I gave them a bottle and they did fine with both. Anyway if you choose not to nurse you will want to get a very good quality pump and you will have to pump about every 2 hours to keep up your milk supply. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Well I am no breast nazi or anything, but I think if you get milk in, it is a great benefit to your kiddos. I am also thankful for formula bc it helps moms all over the world who don't get milk, have to work full time etc. Having said that, for me pumping is a pain. I am currently bf my second and this time I NEVER pump, it is so liberating!!! With my first I bf exclusively until about 9mo and I pumped for anytime we would go out somewhere. The way I did it was to get up a few hrs before him, like 5am and pump and pop it in the fridge. I would also pump on those rare occasions that he would only eat on one side. I am a very blessed woman and make enough milk to supply the whole block, so I always expressed a lot. BUT it gets old. I would never want to do it for every feeding, personally. But once you get rollin' it only takes like 10 min to pump. If you are out somewhere eating you can just ask the restaurant to bring you a cup of hot water to heat it up. But you do get weighted down bc you have to carry it with ice blocks to preserve it. I did get so saavy my first time that I would just stick a bottle in a quart ziploc baggie with a blue ice and pop that in my diaper bag and go, worked like a charm! Now when my first was about 9mo I started just taking formula when we were out and he did great with that, and of course by then he was only bf about 3 times per day. So it wasn't even needed often. But I asked moms on this board about doing it sooner and they all said it was no prob to bf at home and formula feed out from the beginning. Now I just feed wherever I am with a cover bc for me it is so much easier and hey my kid has to eat and I have a three year old to boot! Plus my second is having none of any bottle, go figure! So I think you can pump all the time and feed, but it sounds like torture to me!!! But I am a minimalist, I carry one bag for me and my two sons, it it can't fit in that small bag, it doesn't come! I prefer to tightly roll up a nursing cover, in the bottom of my bag vs hauling bottles etc around. Good luck whatever you decide and just know we mamas that bf publicly really don't want to make anybody uncomfortable it is just how we are gettin' through the day;) Take care girl!!

I just typed a long answer to you, and it somehow all got erased! So, here is my short answer.
I pumped exclusively with my first two babies and loved it! I know it's not for everyone, but I loved the convenience and only had to pump every 4 to 6 hours. I never had to supplement with formula. Like nursing, my body kept up with how much my babies needed.
I definitely recommend a good pump, though. I had the Medela backpack style double pump. So I could just take the little black backpack where ever I went. I think I paid like $125 for it, but it is a must to have a convent fast pump if you are going to be consistent. It seems like I made sure I was able to pump about 1 ounce for every hour I went without pumping.
I decided to nurse my third baby just to try it, and loved that as well. There are obviously Pro's and Con's to both, but definitely worth trying so your little babes can get Mommy's milk.

Good Luck!!!

Mommy of three :)

I couldn't breastfeed my girls. Neither would latch on. So, I pumped. My supply wasn't the best bc of a surgery, but I still persisted. To be frank and honest with you, I would not have minded the pumping at all had my supply been sufficient. You will want to make sure you purchase a quality double pump. The medela pump instyle is a fabulous pump. There are many accessories you can buy to make it easier also- such a chest band that would allow you to pump hands-free. I wish I had been able to pump longer for my girls, but 5 months of it was all I could do because my supply never changed and I had to supplement with formula.

Let your nurses know you choice and talk to a lactation consultant while you're in the hospital. Mine told me for the first day, especially, you'll want to do short pumps (10 minutes) every 1/2 hour to get the milk to come in, and most importantly to get the colostrum. Your hospital should have a pump you can use after birth for this, and nurses who can help you learn to use the machines.

The only time I experienced soreness was when I was using the machine on too high of a setting hoping to force my breasts to make more milk. I would just talk to a lactation specialist to get the low-down on optimizing your pumping efforts.

If you have any questions on breast feeding- you can go to www.llli.org (lalecheleagueinternational.org)

Hi A.--
I breastfed both my boys. On the few occasions that I had to pump (I'm a SAHM, so it was rare) I hated every second of it. I felt like a cow getting milked. It is uncomfortable and takes way longer to pump than it does to simply feed the baby (7 minutes vs 20 minutes--so you are looking at at least 20 minutes of pumping per feeding, plus actually feeding the baby). Pumping also does not empty the breast nearly as well as the baby does, so your milk supply will suffer over time and you may not be able to keep up with baby's demand.
As for actual breast feeding, I could go on and on about the advantages of it. It's easy--no cleaning bottles, no heating formula, no getting up in the middle of the night to make a bottle, you always have food ready whenever baby needs it. With the time demand of having two older kids I could see that as being helpful. If you have a lactation consultant help you from the very beginning you will get the hang of it in no time, so the "stress" of learning could be kept to a minimum. No one in my family breast fed either, so I understand you weren't exposed to it--it becomes second nature when you do it. I feel like it's the best thing I ever did. The other benefits of breast feeding include your uterus shrinking down to size much easier, losing baby weight easily, and my favorite, the release of oxytocin (dubbed the "love" hormone) every time you breast feed. It relaxes you, calms you down, and makes you feel warm and fuzzy towards your baby (not that you wouldn't feel warm and fuzzy without breast feeding). It also helps with the hormonal roller coaster that comes from being post-natal. It creates a bond between you and baby that simply isn't possible with bottle feeding. Knowing you are capable of providing everything your baby needs is an amazing feeling. It's also great knowing all the health benefits for both you and baby. With two older children the baby will be exposed to a lot more sickness, and breastfeeding will keep baby healthy--nothing worse than a stuffed up nose on a baby who can't blow!
So, all summed up, pumping is a pain in the you know what and would be extra stress. Breast feeding is easier and has more benefits. The modesty issue will pass. And if you do decide to breast feed, get a Bebe Au Lait (also known as a hooter hider)--it makes it easy to cover yourself and still see baby to nurse.
Good luck in whatever you decide!
J.

Try it. You can always breastfeed in the privacy of your home or not. Rent a hospital grade pump and pump as much as you can. Being your first it will be more uncomfortable but, some don't have as much trouble as others. Do it as long as you are ok with it and stop if you decide to. Personally I loved breastfeeding. Pumping, not so much. I had trouble the first 2 months but, also all of the baby stuff was new to me. At least you are an experienced mom with every other aspect. I say, go for it!! Try it!! Then you will know you tried and again be content with your decision. Good luck and congratulations on baby number # 3

Just my two cents. Like you, I bottle fed my son exclusively, due to medical issues. I just don't understand the whole "you will bond better" excuse to breastfeeding. You can bond just as well if you bottle feed. Just be sure to hold them while doing it. You get the opportunity to look them in the eyes while feeding and can hold them just as close to you. My son is so bonded to me that he still loves to snuggle to sleep! So, if you do change your mind again, it is okay!

I was very uncomfortable nursing in public with my first, cover or not, so I can identify with your feeling. I also get offended with a mom whips out her boob in front of all with no cover. You are not alone! Yuck. With my second, I bought a "hooter hider". Yep that's what it's called. It is like a bedspread!

However, the pumping can really work and it isn't painful once your milk is in. It takes about 2 weeks or so; sometimes shorter for your milk supply to "come in". Until then, do you feel comfortable to nurse your baby just at home? You could pump all along (I mean for those first two weeks), and then switch only to pumping. Your body will get used to whatever you teach it to.

Practical advice: Lots of Lanolin! Keep your nipples moist with it while/after your pump or nurse. It helps with comfort.

Kudos for the selfless decision!!! You can do it!! Im interested in what you decide. Good luck.

I had a friend who exclusively pumped for 6 months. Was it a little bit of a hassle? Yes. Was it worth it to her? Yes.

My daughter was a preemie and spent some time in the NICU. It took her 9 weeks to really learn how to nurse. During that time, when she was learning, I pumped religiously. I never had a problem with milk supply, so just because you don't put your baby to breast doesn't mean you won't able to produce enough milk or build up your supply. You do have to be religious about pumping, though, and make sure not to miss any sessions.

I was so happy when she finally learned to nurse! What a time saver! And I hated washing all the pump parts and bottle parts all the time. But that's just me. I breastfed when I could, and went back to pumping during the day when I went back to work. She was always a bottle and breast baby - she could eat from either.

I TOTALLY practiced breastfeeding with a nursing cover at home. I use the Bebe Au Lait/Hooter Hider that others have mentioned. The practicing helped me to feel more comfortable nursing out in public, without feeling like I was exposing myself to everyone.

If you go with the pumping, get a very good electric double pump. Otherwise, pumping will take twice as long. If I had the money, I would have gotten the Medela Freestyle - you're free to walk around while pumping. How nice that would have been!

Also get a hands-free pumping bra. I didn't want to have to sit there holding the pumps in place.

An alternative to the Lansinoh nipple cream is one made by Mother Love. I liked that one better as it didn't seem as sticky.

Best of luck!

Simply, if you are going to pump and bottle-feed, it's just an extra step and more time. My sisters did not want to breastfeed but wanted their children to have breastmilk and so that's what they both did - pump and bottle feed. They both gave it up after about 3 months because it was so time consuming, however 3 months of breastmilk is awesome! I say go for it and be happy with your choice. Do it as long as you feel you want to and feel good about the breastmilk you are feeding your baby!

My daughter couldn't attach correctly to me so I just pumped. I wanted to have bm for her and so I did it for almost 8 months! It is a lot of work but it doesn't hurt after the intial getting used to it. Just get into a groove. I had certain times each day I pumped and it was my time to read or whatever- a little stressful when I was home alone with her and she was awake but you figure it out. It is cost effective and the best thing for her so it worked for me. If you want to know the kind of schedule I did I would be happy to send it to you. I even did it working full time as a teacher- so you can make it work!

A., I think it must be different for everyone. I had PLENTY of milk. It would leak out easily, but try as I might, I could never pump more than two ounces at a time. For some reason, my breasts did not want to be pumped. Also, my first two were girls and I nursed them, but when I was expecting a boy I was extremely anxious about a boy sucking on me and I was pretty sure I didn't want to nurse him at all, but then it all changed when he got here. If you do get to pump, I love those little bottle shaped ziploc-type baggies in the baby section. They freeze and stack nicely.

I'm expecting #2 any day now and I have to say that I breastfed & pumped with #1. BF is sooooooooo much easier, once you get the hang of it (I had low milk supply so I had to work xtra hard at keeping supply up)! Pumping is time consuming, not just in the act itself (which isn't bad), but washing & sterilizing & then preparing the storage of the milk, then feeding baby, etc... It did seem like I would just get done doing all of that and it woud be time to go and pump again. It was super nice when I could just sit down and bf and not have to clean anything up. We do enough of that anyway.

I would say if you can swing both methods that's best case scenario. Just bf a little more than pumping, it'll make it a little easier on a busy mom w/ 3 kids.

I have a 4 month old that I have been strictly breastfeeding, however I just finished pumping one side because my baby slept longer through the night and couldn't relieve me enough! I have a wonderful Almeda pump that I bought at a consignment store for a steal. After sanitizing it and reading the instructions it was wonderful. It has never been painful and in fact has relieved tender/aching engorgement on several occasions. I was so grateful to have the relief. There have been many times where a pumped bottle would have been much more convenient in public although rest assured I am definitely one that covers completely or slips away somewhere (I love breastfeeding in my car because of the privacy) than going through all the work of breastfeeding but he's never had a bottle so far. We are trying him on one with pumped milk so we can start our "date" nights again as a couple when we leave him with a trusted friend. If you are curious about breastfeeding talk to a lactation consultant before trying. Mine was EXTREMELY helpful and even helped diagnose my child with Torticolis because of the difficulty breastfeeding I had. She can guide you through any questions about pumping that come up. You want your experience as little or extended as it is to be as positive as possible. In my opinion, you will feel like you are giving your baby the best nutrition the world has to offer with your breast milk. Borrow a friends machine before committing to the cost if you are nervous. Again, it's never hurt me at all. Good for you for trying new things! Good luck!

I thought pumping hurt less than breastfeeding, but it can be a chore. Finding time with both hands free every three hours round the clock to hook up to the machine, keeping older children happy while pumping, keeping all the flanges and bottles washed, it kind of just made me realize how convenient formula is, so I guess you would have to be pretty committed to pull it off. And then once you pump, you still have to feed the baby. But breast milk is so good for babies, and free! Buy a very good pump and extra flanges, etc. (Medela Pump in Style was great for me).

I pumped for 8 weeks with my first son, and it is definitely a lot of work. He would not latch on. My second latched on and breastfeeding is going well. But I have to agree with you it is not easy to do out in public. I'm still getting used to that. I did find a really great nursing cover that covers my front and back so no one can see anything. It is like a poncho. It has really helped so far with my self-consciousness. Might not hurt checking out. I bought it off the internet, just search for modest momz. Hope that helps.

not painful at all. But you won't get much milk via pump for a few days/weeks... Sweety, there are wonderful apron-type covers that do wonders, and if you're in a intimate public place (like restaurant) you can just find a calm corner of the lobby, or even sit in the restroom stall if you think its THAT big of an offense to people..
The only reason people stick their noses up is because it is UNCOMMON...
A hundred years ago, more mothers went natural and that is just the way that MAMMALS are.. Whoever is bothered, well, that's THEIR problem. Not breastfeeders'

Pumping is such a pain! I dried up at about 6 weeks both children and had been pumping and BF (only in private) and still fried up. Explore it and if it doesnt work look at the 2 boys you have and know formula is just fine. Dont get disappointed if it doesnt work out and I wish you all the luck in the world :)

The women in my family didn't breastfeed, but I had friends that did so I was exposed to it and was looking forward to it. There are some cute cover-ups you can wear that are easy to put on for breastfeeding in public. It's actually a really lovely experience. If you want to do it with a minimum of stress, get a reerral to a lactation consultant - they can work WONDERS in making the experience positive. I had to use one because I got Shingles 3 days after giving birth and it totally screwed up breastfeeeding for me. She got me back on track and I did it till my son was 2.5 years old. You get so good at it that you can do it anywhere and keep it all hidden - with a cover or even a roomy shirt.

Pumping is ok, but annoying due to the cleaning and time factor. It's do-able though. If you can breastfeed and pump, that would be best - your chid is the MOST efficient suction you can get for your milk supply.

You have to do what you feel comfortable with, but give BFing a chance, especially with the support of a consultant. Good luck!

For me, pumping didn't hurt. I guess I had the right pump and equipment, etc. It's just a lot of work. I pumped for my first baby and was glad I did. My second baby, I breastfed and I didn't have a problem with worrying about where to breastfeed. If I was in a public place, I just went into the bathroom, or my car. No on ever knew. But breastfeeding doesn't bother me. I don't mind that other people do it in public. That is how some babies have to eat. My second baby didn't ever take a bottle. So I had to feed him wherever and whenever. I covered up or went into a different room if I was out somewhere. And I don't want to offend anyone, but what I cannot understand is that we don't even flinch when a girl walks into McDonalds in a bikini with her boobs hanging out, yet everyone gasps in disgust if someone is breastfeeding...aka, feeding her baby. I just think we live in a very sad society. I'm not trying to tell anyone to make different choices, I just hope we all look at our perspectives of things. It's great that we have formula, and it's great that we have breastmilk. It keeps our babies alive and healthy. But I've seen a lot more boobs from women scantily dressed than I have from women breastfeeding.

Pumping was a lot of work, but I liked it in order to give my child breastmilk, but I also supplemented with formula at times, which didn't bother me because formula has been so improved and is just fine for babies. After a few months, I couldn't handle doing the pumping thing anymore and just switched to formula. I felt good that he had at least gotten some breastmilk. Even if I had just done the first few weeks of his life to give him all those live antibodies- I think that would be great.
Then when I breastfed my second baby exclusively, I loved it. It was so much easier. No preparation, no washing, no warming, etc. It was always there, and always ready. I couldn't believe how easy it was compared to bottle feeding. The first two weeks were hard because of the pain, but after that it was totally worth it.
It doesn't matter what you chose. There are a lot of options. You have to do what is comfortable for you. And like I said, even if baby gets the first few weeks of breastmilk, that's great too. I'm not sure that you could do a lot of pumping if you have two other kids. It took all my time to pump, feed, and wash all my equipment and get ready for the next round. :)

Congrats on new baby to be!

You have a LOT of answers here but I just wanted to add that I had a hospital pump with the larger size flanges(?) and it never caused me pain. It also helped me to learn that after FIFTY minutes of "nursing" my daughter was just using me as a pacifier! The pump taught me that the milk was gone in closer to 10 minutes!! It was helpful in the begining (to get the hang of it) to nurse one side and pump the other at the same time. When I was feeling like a cow or in too big of a hurry, it didn't work well. It's a little bit mental as well as physical.
I also never had much knowledge of bf before I did it myself and was NOT overly excited about it. I researched and prayed about it and thought I'd try VERY hard to make it work. Financially, it was a must for us - couldn't have afforded both disposable diapers and formula. (Baby ended up having alergies and it would've cost a fortune!)
I've seen the apron-type covers w/the wire and they work very well, but at the time, I just used the baby blanket and people just thought she was sleeping for the most part. One funny story about just slipping into a bathroom stall to nurse quick (definite pro!)- my daughter realized it echoed in there and kept letting go to call out to hear her voice echo and we would laugh together - but then I'd tell her we have to hurry - daddy's waiting! she'd start to nurse again then get this little smile and let go to call out again. Just something silly - but that's the bonding thing - and yes, you'll get that with the bottle too. =)
My daughter nursed until she was 10 and a half months old, she no longer has her food allergies, and I worked full time and still do. The pump was a big life saver for us - hubby and I could still go out on a date and know that her diet would not be compromised. It was also good for when baby started cutting teeth!
Best wishes on a good decision for you and your fam!
K

if you do choose to bf, you will learn lots of ways to do it in public without being public, like dressing rooms (awesome) , which stores have really nice "lounge" areas outside the ladies room (nordstroms, bloomingdales), along with lots of baby stores that have nursing rooms. more and more places are getting them, its so nice.... stuff like that. maybe you could do both, bf at home and wherever you are comfortable, and pump for the rest. if you do pump, all or some of the time, my best advice is to get a great pump like the medela pump in style and try to keep to some sort of schedule. and get a hand pump like the advent isis, its a lifesaver when you are out and about, i used mine in cars, planes, trains, etc, its small and quiet... great in the shower if you get a clogged duct too.... though its a lot more obvious pumping in public than nursing, at least in the beginnning. you might just find it easier to nurse. give it a try, if you dont like it, stop. and if you really cant deal with the idea, then i think pumping for your baby shows amazing dedication on your part and you will be great at it :)

It doesn't hurt at all and it's easier than actually bf-ing in my opinion; however, washing the pump dishes got to be a pain in the butt after a while. The other drawback is that with baby #2, pumping was harder b/c I had baby #1 (who was by then a toddler) to take of. Plus, I had to pump while baby #1 was screaming for his milk. Which was stessful for me. With that said, pumping for me was still a better option for lots of reasons. Good luck and whatever you decide for you child will be the right one.

I had to pump with my first and it was a pain and painful but worth it. YOu don't have to learn anything, just pop on the pump. For breast feeding my second we spent a lot of time with the nurse. It will hurt at first but you get used to it. I would always pump for about one minute extra at the end after no milk was coming out to make sure I was increasing my supply. You have to be consistent, NEVER skip. If you are feeding him you are pumping, that way you keep up with demand and don't have your milk dry up. So some nights I was pumping every two hours. You will have to have support from your partner. While I pumped my husband would feed him. Everyone told me my supply would dry up but by never skipping I was able to keep it up through the first trimester of my second pregnancy. I got my supply up to the point I would have one bottle that would feed him for the next feeding and one that would go in the freezer. Figure out your storage method and you can have up to two months worth in the freezer when you are done(we had even more then that). Something that might be nice about it with three kids is you would get some alone time while pumping . :) Good luck.

I had twins with one in the NICU and one at home so I pumped and breast fed. Pumping was alot of work and to me not as natural and more painful than breastfeeding. I'm pregnant again and plan to breastfeed and possibly do some formula so dad can help out and for ease of public feeding. I am not at all uncomfortable with others breastfeeding in public but am a little uncomfortable with doing it myself. Good luck with whatever you decide!

A., pumping couldn't be easier. My only advice would be that if you are going to exclusively pump, to rent or buy a hospital-grade pump. It's going to be expensive but those pumps are designed to get down to business and get the milk out - quickly. They don't hurt any more than other pumps and they will save you a ton of time and effort. I rented mine for $70 a month. I'm guessing you could buy one for $600-800 but I'm just guessing on that. Even the best Medela non-hospital-grade pumps aren't quick enough, IMHO, if you are going to be pumping exclusively. Good luck!

Pumping does not hurt, and if you have a good double electric pump, it's really pretty easy once you get used to it. As far as breastfeeding itself: I was not breastfed, and my mother was never supportive of my choice, which I really just decided to push aside and not worry about. It's not that she thought I shouldn't do it, she just didn't go out of her way to support me. I think she was more concerned that I was making a statement/judgment about her choice to not breastfeed, which I was not. I was simply making the best decision for me and my daughter. As far as breastfeeding in public, I always found a place the was quiet and somewhat private. There are ways to cover up and not have to share with everyone if you don't want to. For me, the experience of breastfeeding my daughter was an incredibly bonding and intimate experience that I could share with only her. When she stopped I was more than ready, and yet I missed it. My advice would be to just try it. You might not be as uncomfortable as you believe you will be. I really didn't think I would be very comfortable with the whole thing (I am really quite modest), but it turned out very differently for me. Good luck.

Pumping for me was very convenient and easy. I have a Lansinoh breast pump that I bought from Target... very nice but not too expensive.

The thing about choosing a breast pump is that you can't go too cheap, or else it won't work well.... but sometimes they can be really expensive. Make sure your breast pump has a good suction on it - if you notice you're not getting much milk, or that you're having to pump for EVER... consider that it might be the breast pump and not your milk supply.

When it comes to the basics - here's what you'll need:

the actual breast pump
Lansinoh nipple cream - it is a miracle ointment, even if you're just pumping! (yes, your nipples will get sore... but not nearly as bad as full-on nursing... its not too bad I promise.)
breast milk storage bags
breast pads

Thats about all I can think of right now. Good luck! I'm right there with you by the way.. nursing in front of others was always extremely uncomfortable for me.

Best of luck!!