Opinions from breastfeeding moms…?
Question by Brittni: I’m 38 weeks pregnant right now, and I’m planning on breastfeeding. I really don’t want to formula feed or bottle feed… I’m going to be a stay at home mom. Would you recommend using a breastpump (even if I’m just being a stay at home mom)? My mom never used a breast pump and she had 4 kids that she breast fed. I keep having all kinds of people tell me that I need to invest in one and everything. My mom kept telling me I’d be just fine without one though. I know I’m going to be like my mom and really not want my daughter to leave my sight. I don’t think I could handle dropping her off to grandparents or somebody to watch her, it’s just the way I am… I don’t really want somebody else watching my daughter. ( I know, I kind of sound selfish… She’s my first child though. Also, the first grandchild on both sides.)
Was your breastfeeding experience a lot easier with a breast pump? Or did it really not make any difference?
What do you think? Answer below!
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I am now nursing my sixth child, and the only time I ever needed one was when one had surgery..Even then, the hospital provided one..I got a manual for free(ins. billed). I think it’s a huge waste of money for just in case…
It has not made a difference for me. It’s good to have in case of an emergency (say, you have to be in the hospital or be called away for something for a few hours that you can’t bring your baby to), but mine has only been used maybe twice so far.
I planned on nursing my first son, but bought a pump just in case I needed it. It really came in handy because I wasn’t able to nurse him. But I was still able to give him breast milk for his first 3 months. With my second son, I was able to nurse. But I did pump a few times so that my husband could feed the baby sometimes. It really does come in handy if you want to nap, or go out shopping alone, or even lunch out with the girls. I completely know how you feel about not wanting to have anyone else have your daughter, but it is nice to get a few hours alone time to recuperate. Good luck and enjoy your little one!
I returned to work after 12 weeks so a breastpump was essential. However, I found it useful in my time at home in that sometimes when my daughter was full or not interested in eating and breasts were full the pump provided relief. I never had a problem with lack of supply, only over-supply, but I know some moms have used the pump to encourage supply. I guess you just won’t know for sure until you start, but I wouldn’t worry too much about purchasing one before hand if you are sure you are going to stay at home and not need any expressed milk.
If you would like to have one just in case I suggest renting one from the hospital or local “lactation” supplier. This way you haven’t invested too much…Good Luck it has been wonderful for me and hats off to you for breastfeeding.
I had one when my son was born because I had to eventually go back to work. I was really glad I had it though because for the first 2 days he wouldn’t latch on for more than a few seconds and then would start screaming because he was hungry, he just didn’t want to have to work for it, so I pumped a little bit to make sure he was actually getting something to eat. Now that I am back at work, I use my breast pump 3 times every night at work. Since you will be a stay at home mom, I would get just an inexpensive manual pump just in case you needed it.
I would buy the Medela single hand pump. It worked really well for me and it’s in expensive so if you do ever find yourself needing a pump you’ll have one, but you won’t have wasted much money if you don’t. Plus if you never use it you can re-sell it and if you find you need an electric pump you can invest in that later.
Also a hand pump can be good if you’re engorged and need to relieve some pressure. I had over active let down and would sometimes need to pump a little before I started feeding otherwise it sprayed all over and she had a hard time nursing. And you say you can’t imagine ever dropping your child off but as time goes by you’ll become more comfortable with it and you may change your mind. (I did)
My daughter is a year now and only my parents have ever watched her, but I’m just now feeling comfortable with the idea of letting others watch her, but having my parents be able to has been a lifesaver, you’ll need to get out on your own sometimes and as baby gets older you’ll find it easier to drop baby off for a half hour while you go run some errands.
it’s nice to have a pump to relieve engorgement, and build up a supply for “just in case”. i have one and I’m a sahm, and i rarely use it.
I planned on breastfeeding exclusively and so I didn’t get a pump before my baby was born. I ended up having supply issues from the beginning so I needed to pump to up my milk supply. I rented one from the hospital for the first six weeks and then decided to buy my own. I breastfeed exclusively – but I still pump daily b/c now I add breastmilk to her solid food.
BUT, even though I needed to pump from the beginning it was absolutely fine I didn’t have one before she was born.
If you plan on breastfeeding exclusively then don’t waste the money. If you end up needing one you should be able to rent one from your hospital. If you end up needing one long term you can then go out and with knowledge of what kind of pumping you will be doing buy your pump.
I have the Medela Swing and I love it – but I am a stay at home mom and am not pumping large amounts. Some people need a double pump. My cousin ended up getting a small manual pump b/c she kept getting clogged milk ducts.
I suggest just waiting until your baby is here. Then you can see if and when you might need a pump. Good luck. I had a rough start – but I am so glad I stuck it out b/c breastfeeding my daughter is wonderful.
they are definately worth having- in the early part of your babies life you can stockpile and freeze bottles for a “just in case” collection- you never know if you are going to be hospitalized for a couple days and be on painkillers- it would be horrible to have to train your babies body to formula while going through all of the other trauma- it is also nice when you start introducing solids- I make all of my babies food and to thin them out when she was first learning to eat them, and make them easier on her stomach I put breastmilk in them- if you do not wind up needing your freezer milk, you can donate it to a milk bank for a kid that medically needs breast milk whose mom cannot make it for them- which is a unique opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life
It’s made a huge difference for me.
You say you want to be with her 24/7, but every now and again I think it’s good to go out on your own, and be you. not just mom.
It’s been a lifesaver for me. My daughter is 6 weeks old, and i’;ve spent 4 hours away from her. But it was such a relief.
It’s great if you have a partner too, so that they an share the night time feedings, you may be able to get more than 3 hrs sleep in a row, and trust me, it’s worth it just for that !!
They’re not expensive, well at least not in the uk, and they really have been a godsend. I can pop down the shops for 5 mins and leave her with my partner, and know that if she gets hungry, she’ll be fed. She can be fed by her dad, and they can have that bonding time.
Worth every penny.
Nope, I exclusively breastfed my second two boys without ever using a pump, and ever giving them formula.
I did pump and feed my first son EBM, because I returned to work full time (for about a year) when he was 7 months old.
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