Is it harder to feed your baby breast milk straight from the breast or pump and feed with a bottle?

Question

I know the benefits of breastfeeding so I want to make every effort to do so? The only thing is, I don't think I will feel that comfortable to only feed straight from the breast. Ideally, I think I would like to only pump and bottle feed her breast milk. Any advice on things that worked for you or advice. Most books don't talk that much about pumping only breastfeeding vs formula. Can I pump right away as soon as my milk comes in?

Answer 1

As a man, I'm no expert. I just want to say I admire you for doing what is best for your baby. Good luckl!

Answer 2

I started pumping after my baby was born, only because i got engorged so i had to, and you can pump as soon as milk comes in, but its much easier to just feed from the breast, you don't have to worry about cleaning bottles and breast-pumps and warming the milk and storing it, you just pop out your booby and give it to the baby!

Answer 3

It is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay waaaaaaaaaay easier to do it straight from the breast. No washing, sterilizing, nothing, just pop him/her on and go.

Why would you feel uncomfortable? This is your child. There should not be any kind of thought of it being uncomfortable.

Anyways, you can pump when your milk comes in, however, even with feeding and pumping together you will loose some milk and eventually decrease the amount. It is best to just feed straight form the boob.

Either way, you do know breast milk is important.  

Answer 4

Pumping exclusively has been the biggest pain in the you-know-what!  I don't do it by choice, we went through nipple confusion when my son was 8 weeks old.  I would give anything to be able to just nurse him.  Pumping might sound like a good idea at first but you will soon get frustrated w/ it.  When my son was 4 months old, I got fed up with it and decided I was too stressed to continue.  2 weeks later I decided that I had made the wrong decision and I started the re-lactation process.  My son is now 5 1/2 months old and I'm still frustrated w/ pumping and feel like a walking vacuum.  It's not fun.  It is the best choice when you HAVE to do it (and don't want to offer formula) but if you don't have to (and are able to breastfeed), I advise against pumping.

Answer 5

I would say it is harder to pump, it is so many extra steps. However you avoid problems latching, etc. My son is 8 months old. He is still breastfed exclusively from the breast. Pumping and washing bottles is such a hastle. Of course it is difficult to get away for more than a couple of hours, but I believe that babies should not be away from their moms. Good luck with whatever you decide. Either way, breastfeeding is the best!!! Oh yeah, you can start pumping as soon as you give birth, and get colostrum. The more you pump the more your body will supply.  

Answer 6

I don't know how if this is true for smaller breasted women but as a larger breasted woman---size 36D before breastfeeding---I found pumping to be much more difficult than direct breast contact. It took me at least twice as long to pump the amount my baby would normally eat when feeding directly from my breast. I'm not saying it can't be done, just that it's a lot harder. I don't know all the reasons behind why you feel uncomfortable with direct feeding but you might be surprised at how natural it feels once your baby is born. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Answer 7

You can pump right away, and at the beginning, it may be easier to pump than to feed from the breast.  Breastfeeding can be tough at the beginning.  Not for everyone, but for some women it is.  

Eventually, pumping becomes a huge hassle.  You not only have to deal with washing bottles, but you have to sit and pump and wash the pump as well!  That's hard, hard work compared to just plugging baby in.  Once you become more experienced with breastfeeding, you don't even have to sit down--you can nurse on the go in a sling.

If you don't think that you'll come to terms with the practical vs sexual aspects of your b*****s by the time your baby comes, then I'm glad that you would choose pumping milk for your baby.  I truly believe that with the right support, you can easily overcome your discomfort, but if you don't want to work on that, fine.  Pumped milk is a great alternative to breastfeeding.  You'll probably still need help from a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader so that you can maintain a decent supply.  Either way, bottle or breast, get in touch with an LC or LLL leader.  You can do it!

Answer 8

You can start pumping as soon as your milk comes in.

As far as your hesitation about feeding directly, as long as the baby latches on well, I think most people would agree that direct feeding is good because a) it provides the optimal amount of stimulation and so encourages milk production, b) it provides really good bonding time, c) it's much easier - in terms of logistics - since there are no bottles to sterilize and clean.

It's great to pump sometimes so that others can help with the feeding, but even the most comfortable breastshields on a pump aren't something most women want to deal with for hours and hours each day.

Answer 9

If you only pump then your milk might not fully come in as no pump can fully simulate the benefits of a sucking baby.  Breastfeeding is totally worth it.  Be aware that it will take some getting used to.  It is not an instinct that we are born with, it will take a lot of practice on both your part and the babys.  I spent a good deal of time being frustrated and crying because I felt like I couldnt do anything right!  I eventually got it though.

It really is not that bad.  I had hang ups about whipping my b***s out in public and even in private too but now I'm a pro at either!  I love beastfeeding my baby.  It makes me feel close to him and just something that I don't get when I use expressed milk from a bottle.  Its also so much easier!  Nothing to wash or sterilize or warm up or mix!  Its all just "on tap" so to speak.

Talk with a lactation consultant or a rep from the La Leche League.  They should be able to provide you with lots more info!

Answer 10

I started pumping as soon as my milk came in... I was pumping more than my son was eating so I froze some...

If you decide to ONLY pump your milk supply will deplete sooner... Your baby can get way more out than a pump can... You can try to pump during the day and breastfeed at night... Breastfeeding at night is so much easier than going downstairs to make a bottle 3 times a night...  

Answer 11

Without the baby's direct contact with your nipple, you may have a hard time keeping up your supply.  Some women are able to do it, but most cannot.  

For me, I didn't have enough supply even with direct feeding and pumping due to an unforeseen problem with my PCOS (genetic disorder).  (No one told me ahead of time that it would drastically affect my supply.)

My friends without supply problems struggled when they tried to pump only and faced supply problems for the first time.

If you can do it, I congratulate you.  Some women can, but I would talk to a lactation consultant to get direct advice on exactly how to do it so that you don't sabotage your breastfeeding effort accidentally.

Answer 12

totally harder to pump

Answer 13

You can pump as soon as you can breastfeed.. in fact sometimes they encourage you to pump to get the milk coming in faster.. which is what happened for me.. I have used manual.. and electric pumps.. manual are way cheaper.. but I would definately say more the kind you would use if your only pumping the odd time.. definately worth investing in an electric pump if it is your plan to strictly pump.. good for you for looking for a way to give your baby breastmilk.. even if the idea of having it come directly out of you is uncomfortable.. breastfeeding is the most bonding experieince I feel I have had to my baby.. and I thought it would be uncomfortable but honestly it wasn't at all.. but you have to do whats best for you and your baby! Congrads on the baby.. and I hope that answers your questons.. ps.. the pumps you buy will let you know how to figure out how much milk your baby needs according to how big the baby is.. and how long you can put the milk in the fridge/and freezer..

Good luck!

Answer 14

This may be long, but i hope my advice can help you.

I was an exclusive pumper.  I pumped from the day my son was born, till just a month or so after his first birthday.  First off, if you want to exclusively pump, dont let anyone tell you differently.  But, from what i've been thru, i definately think it's easier to feed from the breast... but exclusive pumping can be done, with hard work and dedication.

When you pump and bottle feed, you are doing double the work.. cleaning bottles, pumps, feeding baby, and pumping... and it takes twice as long...maybe even longer...

Make sure you invest in a good pump.  I used the Medela pump in style.  You can rent a hospital grade from the hospital or lactation consultant..  Mine held up for over a year, from numerous uses every single day.  I purchaced extra parts to the pump... the shields, bottles, because it's a pain in the butt to clean them every single time you pump. The extra parts came in handy.

When you pump, make sure you pump as many times, or more then what baby eats.  Ideally, i pumped every 2.5 hours during the first few months of my sons life, to establish my supply.  Your supply will never be as much if you were feeding from the breast directly.  Pump untill all your milk stops flowing, and then pump for another 5 minutes.. that stimulates the body to make more milk.....  That will help you keep your supply up, since it's based on supply and demand. I also found that if you pump both b*****s at the same time, it cuts down on time, and also helps you keep your supply up as well.

Be ready to pump around the clock, as your b*****s will get full real quick.. it's easy to bypass the night time pumping, but it's important for your supply.  Pump Pump Pump!!

I hope you are successful in exclusively pumping.... Please dont hesitate to contact me if you need any support or advice.  I've been there, done that, and would do it again in a heart beat just so the precious baby can get that wonderful breast milk!

Answer 15

Yes, as soon as the milk comes in you can pump.

If you're going to pump, go ahead and get a good electric.  I love my Medela.  They're a little expensive, but so worth it. Of course, you will probably find that the breast is just easier and more convenient when you're hanging out at home.  No bottles to wash or warm, no mess at all.

Answer 16

Sure you can. you can do it either way. I fed straight from the breast. The only problem you might run into is weaning him or her from the bottle.

Answer 17

It's easier to nurse from the breast. It's easier to increase and maintain a good milk supply that way too. Many mothers that pump, especially from the start aren't able to acquire a good milk supply to continue for very long. Not only is milk supply an issue for pumping mothers but if you wait for your milk to come in before pumping then your baby will miss out on some of the most important parts of breastfeeding, the colostrum. Colostrum is what is produce during pregnancy and the few days after. If you insist on pumping, I suggest nursing from breast right after birth until you have an adequate milk supply, I say about 8 weeks and then pump. Good luck and great choice to give your baby the best.