Breastfeeding by Pumping Only

With my first, I BF for a month with lots of frustration due to something called overactive let-down reflex. Basically the milk was coming out way too fast. So, I pumped and he got breast milk in a bottle exclusively for the next 4 months. It is hard to break away at times or get up in the middle of the night to pump. You think I wish he would just latch on and get the milk directly. My advice is just keep pumping and try to get as much out at each time. Hopefully you have a double pump or a really good one. (I didn't) But it will be obvious when the milk is done expressing. Also, every now and then, try to latch him on once you feel better, but he may already prefer the bottle. With my next 2 children, though, I was able to BF and just pump on occasion. I did for 9 months with my second, and my 3rd is almost 5mos, still nursing fine. Good Luck! Just use protection while nursing, that is how #3 came along unexpectedly. :)

I understand what you are going through! My little one completely REFUSED to breastfeed. It wasn't an issue of latching on incorrectly he refused to latch on at all! I spoke to lactation consultants and found no solution. Thus, I resigned myself to pumping. This lasted for three weeks and then it was just too much. I felt like I was spending more quality time with my pump than my child! I was distraught over giving up, but I had to for my sanity and thus for my babies welfare! We ended up using formula and my little one is now 18 months old and VERY healthy, happy, and intelligent.

What I wish someone had told me at the time was to pump whenever I could and for as long as I could. You are right that it is not an all or nothing issue! Somehow in my head it was either all pumping or all formula?!

My other suggestion is to use a formula that is the most similar to breast milk. Your pediatrician can help you with this. Your pediatrician may even suggest mixing part breast milk with part formula in a bottle. Talk to him/her about what you plan to do and he/she should have some information for you.

Whatever happens, know that you are doing what is best for your baby. Breastfeeding does not work for everyone. Do not let anyone make you feel bad about the decision you are making!

Good luck, God Bless, and let us know what works for you! Enjoy that little one!

I pump only, and that is what I did with all four kids. I would nurse in the very begining. But pumping is what I liked best. I like to see how much milk I have, so I know if I need to take steps to increase the supply or leave it as is. Pumping has let me fill my freezer (no joke, filled) with milk. I have about 12 bottles always on hand in the fridge. I just take my pump everywhere I go and pump every four to six hours. Now I just pump about four times a day. Get a car adaptor so you can pump while driving to parties, so you wont have to do it there. I pump while I drive or while my husband drives. It really is easy. While your baby is really young, pump before you go to bed and sleep real tight with the bottle so it stays warm, then you have a bottle ready. If you want to keep your supply up, you will need to pump every four hours even through the night for the first 10 weeks. Then you can dump the night pumpings. Then just pump right before bed and right when you wake. You will figure out what works best for you. It sounds complicated but it is not. YOu will fall into a groove with it. If your supply is good, then you are doing it right. If your supply drops, just pump longer and add another pump time. You will figure it all out. Hopefully your ob office as a breast feeding consultant there. But you can always call breastfeeding services at your local hospital, use the web, our call the lelecheleague. Good luck and enjoy that baby.

I would really try to get the baby to the breast. He is so young, he can still learn to breastfeed. Have you contacted your local La Leche League leader? She would be able to give you free help.

Here's the link on how to find her: http://www.lalecheleague.org/leaderinfo.html
-or-
1-877-4 LALECHE (1-877-452-5324) for 24 hour toll-free breastfeeding helpline services

Many women are able to pump longterm, but it would be so much easier for you if you have the option of nursing or pumping. If you and your baby spend the day out, it would be so much easier to find a place to nurse him than pump. And the bonding is awesome too.

Breastfeeding is tough at first, but it gets SO much easier after the first few weeks.

I had the exact same thing happen to me. I had a C section and then my son would not latch on. I had lactation consultants, nurses, friends and family try to help but nothing worked. I was so sad and was so upset.
I pumped for about 2 months and then it became too difficult for me to continue pumping every 2 hours and taking care of him.

Whatever you decide to do, do what YOU want to do and what YOU think is best for yourself and your child. Don't beat yourself up about it like I did.

dont give up!!!! nursing is very hard in the beginning- it gets easier. I cried many tears nursing my daughter- it is frustrating. I almost quit several times- but my husband was very supportive and I am proud of the fact that I kept going. I did have to see a lactation consultant after about a month as we continued to struggle.. In the beginning the baby does not know what to do and you dont know what to do.. and you are recovering from birht...

It gets easier. Trust me.. I nursed my daughter for 10 months. I started pumping after a week or two cuase I had so much milk- I was an overproducer.

Try to get that baby back on the breast- you are only 5 days postpartum- you should have milk by the gallons. He will learn how to nurse-

Pumping is uusually not enough to keep a milk supply- your milk will dry up unless your baby is nursing.

The health benefits of nursing last a lifetime- my daughter is 18 month old and has never been to the dr because of illness- only well child checkups.

you can do it... it is the best thing for your baby..