When I had my first son at 18 years old, I knew that breastmilk was what was best for him, but I felt overwhelmed by the whole process. I wanted him to have the best life, but I was going through postpartum, I already felt like he was ruining my life, I just wasn't into the bonding thing yet. That is when I was given a pump. I didn't know ANYTHING about pumping. I wanted him on formula, but my husband wanted him on breastmilk. So I made a compromise. I said I was going to try it for 2 weeks and if I didn't like it back to formula he was going. Well I was not educated enough to know that 2 weeks is not long enough time get your milk in, or that the pain eventually goes away.
I am now more prepared. I feel more educated. I am choosing to pump only because I will be gone from him 4-6 hours a day. I also have a very active husband who really wants to be involved. Pumping gives me the best of both worlds. I give him the best milk, and he can still get a bottle so my husband can give that to him and still get his bonding time. Do I advise everyone to pump? No. If you can get the bond with your baby and he or she latches on by all means breastfeed.
If you are like me and only thinking about pumping I am across this posting for us. I think this posting really gave me the info I needed and the confidence I needed to make pumping happen. I will be in school pumping and I thought it would be awkward. I know understand that breast milk is a beautiful thing and instead of being embarrassed to pump in class I think I am going to be proud.
Did you pump or breastfeed? Any advice for a pumping mother?
I pretty much just breastfed my son for the first 4 weeks. Then I would nurse most of the time, except if we were out or at a function. I would then give him a bottle. When I returned to work at 12 weeks, I pumped during lunch break. Eventually I had to supplement with some formula because I couldn't supply enough. I nursed at bedtime and during the night until 9 months when I retired the boobs to breast feeding. All I can say is, looking back I don't know how I did it. It is not easy!! If I had to change anything I probably would have pumped and used a bottle early on so other people could HELP. lol Good luck!! Oh and drink lots of water.
ReplyDeleteI really hope and pray I will have enough supply to breastfeed my baby. I am also researching and preparing my breasts to the work so that baby can latch easily. I will also pump for when I need help from my husband and for when I am too tired in the night to stay awake and breastfeed. Baby will need a focused and not too tired mummy once here, so every little helps.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that you are not embarrassed to pump in class, that's very empowering. Go girl :)!.
Breast milk is the best for children regardless if it's natural or from the bottle. There's nothing wrong with pumping especially for busy moms or those who aren't able to breastfeed naturally for whatever reason. I breastfed both my girls without bottles but I did attempt to pump in the beginning. Pumping was painful for me and I never got use to it. Thankfully my girls latched without any problems. The best advice would be to do whatever works best for you and your child. Be presistent and know that things take time. Good luck!
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