Tips on Pumping

susan1 · 09-22-2006, 08:17 PM

My SIl wants to pump to breastfeed. She like some tips on how to do it. She tried with the first but it did not work. ..I however I think it was because she would not take my advice to help her. Anyhow she ask me today what she should do for the first feeding for the baby. Since she won't have any milk already pump. Can she pump right away so she can bottle feed the baby or should she feed the baby formula until she can pump some milk? I told her she could pump right away. However she should try to breastfeed for the first few feeding until she can pump. What do you girls think?

earthgirl · 09-22-2006, 08:34 PM

Do you mean she wants to pump, then feed breastmilk w/bottle?
I know pumping isn't going to be as effective as nursing, in producing milk.
This isn't my forte, I'm sure someone else can give you an answer.

Ceci · 09-22-2006, 08:53 PM

Hi Susan, My SIL pumped exclusively for over a year now...of course baby is on solids now but started never had formula. This was not her original plan, but for a variety of reasons, this is what she chose to do and ti has worked out well for her although it is time consuming. Also, most women are not able to produce enough milk through pumping alone, but it can be done....They started feeding the baby out of a cup and then when they realized that he wasn't going to latch on they moved to a bottle. They have used the Dr Browns and the Haberman feeder ones that have a valve that makes it more like b.f. I am not sure if this is the info you were looking for, but also please feel free to PM and I can give you my SIL email if your SIL is interested in talking to someone who has had the experience. Good luck!~

susan1 · 09-22-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthgirl

Do you mean she wants to pump, then feed breastmilk w/bottle?.

Yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthgirl

I know pumping isn't going to be as effective as nursing, in producing milk.
This isn't my forte, I'm sure someone else can give you an answer.

Yes, I know but she does not want to breastfeed...but she knows the benefits the baby gets while having breast milk.

susan1 · 09-22-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeciRacine

Hi Susan, My SIL pumped exclusively for over a year now...of course baby is on solids now but started never had formula. This was not her original plan, but for a variety of reasons, this is what she chose to do and ti has worked out well for her although it is time consuming. Also, most women are not able to produce enough milk through pumping alone, but it can be done....They started feeding the baby out of a cup and then when they realized that he wasn't going to latch on they moved to a bottle. They have used the Dr Browns and the Haberman feeder ones that have a valve that makes it more like b.f. I am not sure if this is the info you were looking for, but also please feel free to PM and I can give you my SIL email if your SIL is interested in talking to someone who has had the experience. Good luck!~

Thanks! I have know of woman pumping exclusively but not from the start I did but because the baby was in the ICU...then I was able to breastfeed...so my milk come in just fine. So your Sil did pump from the start then? And did she have trouble getting the milk in? My Sil is afraid of that last time she did not wait long enough that her milk did not come...but that was because she thought she did not have enough milk...in the first place.

Ceci · 09-22-2006, 09:39 PM

Uhm...she tried to get the baby to latch on the first 24 hours with no success and her hospital did not have a LC, nor was there one around for 150 miles (they live in a rural area) so she started pumping and gave the baby the colostrum first through a cup and then when he milk came in she gave it to him from a bottle. Her milk came in around day 3 but by that time she was pumping exclusively and had given up trying to get him to latch.....she says that next time she is going to pay to have a LC drive up to their town b./c the pumping has been very time consuming. But she was also very committed to the b.f for the health benefits for the baby and herself.

PS When her son turned 1, I got her a t-shirt that says "Pumping Diva"

susan1 · 09-22-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeciRacine

PS When her son turned 1, I got her a t-shirt that says "Pumping Diva"

How cute!

susan1 · 09-22-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeciRacine

Uhm...she tried to get the baby to latch on the first 24 hours with no success and her hospital did not have a LC, nor was there one around for 150 miles (they live in a rural area) so she started pumping and gave the baby the colostrum first through a cup and then when he milk came in she gave it to him from a bottle. Her milk came in around day 3 but by that time she was pumping exclusively and had given up trying to get him to latch.....she says that next time she is going to pay to have a LC drive up to their town b./c the pumping has been very time consuming. But she was also very committed to the b.f for the health benefits for the baby and herself.

Well that is committe...I hope my SIL has the same committe..even if I don't feel she will have the same committe. She stop BF at 4 days...I tried to help ..but I think since I was family ..I was told to back off..so I did.

1stimestar · 09-23-2006, 12:14 AM

Well you do what you can Susan. I would hook her up with a Lactation Consultant. Babies are not made to HAVE milk from day one. I would teach her to hand express into a teaspoon for the colostrum so she can see that just a couple of spoonsful is all a baby needs. Literally every cc is precious. So even if she just gives baby colostrum the first few days, that is better then going straight to forumula.

DoulaYvonne · 09-23-2006, 01:06 PM

Susan, there are many of us who can give good info that will help your sil pump most effectively. Yet, does she know that BREASTfeeding and feeding human milk are not the same? Nursing at the breast promotes good hand/eye coordination because you switch sides. Nursing at the breast helps to regulate baby's temperature and promotes bonding through skin to skin contact. Nursing at the breast works a baby's jaw muscles which promotes proper orthodontia. Also, the "dialogue" between baby's system and moms only happens with breast feeding. When baby is sick, the saliva is passed to mom's system and antibodies are made specifically for the baby. Pretty amazing, huh?
Obviously human milk feeding is preferable to formula so kudos to your sil for making every effort!
I am always happy to help moms with pumping so if she only wants to pump then the advice shall commence!

Just thought you'd want to let her know some of the cool benefits to breastfeeding.

heathenmamaof5 · 09-23-2006, 02:21 PM

I'm wondering if she has abuse issues? Sometimes when mom doesn't want baby on breast it's a clue that something may have happened in past.

Yes, pump immediately with a hospital grade pump. Hook her up with a board certified LC. This is VERY important.

This is just a quick reply on my part. I can give more info later when the heathens go somewhere other than my shoulders!!! And the dog and cat are "playing" under my chair.

Babies_Bellies_Boobies · 09-29-2006, 08:57 PM

i agree with what the above posters have suggested, it can be done, it just isn't the easiest thing in the world.

i ep'd for almost 6 months old till ds learned to nurse correctly.

as an abuse survivior, i might add, there is somethign very healing about taking the power back, and using one's breasts the way they were intended. at least in my experience, i know some may not ever get to that point.

MothertheMother · 09-29-2006, 11:02 PM

I absolutely agree!! What a healing experience!