How/when to start pumping after birth?

Question

I've heard that I shouldn't start introducing the bottle to my newborn until he's roughly a month old. in that case, how do I do so? when do I pump? would I have to skip a feeding in order to pump? how does all this work... this is my second baby but I didn't pump the first time around. I'm due next week, I just want to find out as much as possible beforehand! thanks!

Answer 1

if you can wake up before your baby does and do a quick pumping in the morning, you will probably get more milk.  otherwise, try pumping after baby eats.  don't worry about emptying your b*****s and not leaving enough for your baby... a baby will always be able to get more milk than a pump and your b*****s constantly make milk.  if you are coordinated enough to pump one side while baby is nursing on the other, you will get a lot of milk that way.  you might only get a few drops sometimes and an ounce or two other times, but it will add up over time.  just stick it in the freezer as you get it.  i try to pump once every morning and freeze what i get for emergencies and the occasional movie out with hubby.

i think you will get pretty tired of all the hassle of bringing bottles with you when you have perfectly good milk that is warmed up and ready to go in perfect feeding containers right on your chest.  ;)

Answer 2

Please remember that if you are taking bottles with you when you are out you are more than likely going to end up in the bathroom pumping so you don't leak everywhere.  And as someone that ends up pumping in bathrooms because my babies are the kind that just get too busy to nurse when we are out it is so much more embarrassing than nursing in public.

For the odd break I would say don't bother messing around with bottles.  A baby under 4 months can be cup or syringe fed.  A baby over 4 months can take a sippy cup or normal cup.  Bottle feeding has no benefits and too many risks.

Alternative Feeding Methods

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alter...

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http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottl...

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http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/index...

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http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/qa-bo...

Dad and the Breastfed Baby

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http://www.mother-2-mother.com/just_for_...

BONDING

Did you know that Dad's role in caring for the baby is often misunderstood? Some say that a father cannot bond with his baby if he doesn't help in feeding the baby. There is so much more to nurturing a baby than just feeding. In fact, did you know that Dad is the first person to demonstrate to baby that food does not always equate love.