The lactation consultant at the hospital recommended that I wait at least 4 weeks to start pumping so that we can get breastfeeding well established. LO is 11 days old and breastfeeding has been wonderful for the past 6 days. My left breast seems to be producing more and I can never get it completely empty so I feel like I should pump. When did you start pumping and did it affect your breastfeeding routine? What was your pumping schedule like?
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I started pumping immediately to help LO gain weight. I've had supply issues the whole time (LO will be a month old tomorrow). lC said to do it this way but I'm not sure if it hurt or not. I've cut down on my pumping and only so it occasionally now.
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I had an over supply and didn't start pumping until after 1 month unless I was pumping just a little to relieve engorgement and help LO latch. If you pump you are telling your body to keep producing the extra milk. If you want the extra it isn't a problem to start pumping now.
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I pumped a few weeks in because one side was blistering and hurting and I couldn't possibly put him on it. So I pumped that side and nursed him on the other. I think some of the pumping hurt my supply (as I did it instead of breastfeeding). But if you are breastfeeding it should be fine.
You may not need to pump because your baby isn't eating as much as you are making (and that is normal). Being not empty will trigger your body to make just enough. If you pump you may stimulate too much. If you are uncomfortable, you should pump.
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I started pumping at the hospital to stimulate my milk but I didn't start pumping on a schedule until day 9 when my milk came in. I had some trouble with breastfeeding so I pumped 7-9 times a day until nursing got easier around 6 weeks.
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Thanks ladies, I think I'm going to try pumping the left side tomorrow. It's really engorged and hurts! Maybe if I can just completely empty it I will feel better!
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@oahujeni: if you completely empty it that will signal your body to continue making that amount of milk... It's better to hand express or just pump until you're not uncomfortable. Once your supply regulates around. 6-8 wks your breast will not feel so full anymore. It's best not to pump until that point (unless u have supply issues) bc otherwise pumping signals your body to make more milk. That being said I had to pump at about 1 wk bc my nipples were damaged/extremely painful.
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I started pumping around 2 weeks because I felt LO was well established with breastfeeding by then.
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I started pumping as soon as my milk came in and never had issues with breastfeeding.
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I started pumping at the hospital both times.
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I started pumping at about 4 weeks. I was also nervous to start pumping before that because I was afraid of nipple confusion, but I am glad I started when I did. It may have even been better for me to start sooner!
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I started pumping at the hospital to encourage my milk to come in (which worked... Milk was in before I even checked out of the hospital). We have had no issues breastfeeding. Yes I probably produce more than LO needs but that's fine with me because I'm building up a freezer stash for when I go back to work.
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As soon as I went to my room a few hours after surgery I asked for the breast pump. It helped with my breast milk that came in on the second day. I pumped after every nursing session and it really helped. I don't think pumping after you nurse would affect anything but help with your supply, especially if you feel your LO isn't emptying you completely. I used to pump for 10 mins after every using session to ensure I'm empty. Then fed that to him after the next nursing session and then pump after that. I only did that until i started pumping less and less and just EBF. I usually only have enough for one nursing session so continue to pump didn't yield much so I stopped.
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My midwife and websites both recommended waiting until at least 4 weeks before pumping so BF can be well established and my supply is regulated by baby. At 4 weeks I only pumped 1-2 times a week to have some bottles available.
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13 comments