Breastfeeding and the Need to Pump?

I just used a Medela hand pump. With my son I pumped about twice a month, just to have a supply at hand for times I might want to get out and then later to make his baby cereal with. With my daughter I started off pumping about once a week thinking I would leave her a bit more often to do things with my son.
My son would easily take a bottle, but I honestly never went out. My daughter would NOT take a bottle or pacifier. So with both kids most of the milk ended up going down the sink once it was expired! :(
At any rate, the hand pump did the job just fine - other times when I didn't feel like messing with all the tiny parts I would just hand express, and I have plenty of friends who did the same.

L.:

I pumped with both my boys. And I stayed home with them too. I pumped after each feeding to keep my milk supply up and to get the hind milk out just in case they didn't get it after they nursed.

I never had the problem people talk about bottle/breast confusion. Guess I was a lucky one! :)

With Greg, my milk supply was soo much that I was able to wet nurse two of my friends kids...I know some think it's gross - but when a mom wants breast milk and is having problems...it worked...and I had a freezer full of expressed milk - no exaggeration. Bags and Bags of expressed milk (with the date and time grease penned on it!)

With Nicky - I had just enough to keep up with him.

Each kid is different! I can't believe it's only one month away!! It just seems like last month you were getting married and then telling us you MIGHT be pregnant!! SMILES!!!

I used the Medela Pump in Style. LOVED LOVED LOVED it!!

Medela isn't cheap, but OMG IT'S WORTH IT!!

I would absolutely still pump for those time's you're on the go or you need a babysitter. I stockpiled breast milk in our freezer, so once I stopped nursing, my son was still getting breast milk. I also pumped to keep up my supply. After he nursed, I'd pump each side for 10-15 minutes, even if nothing was coming out. Your body keeps up with the demand for more, so the more you pump/nurse, the more milk you'll produce. Don't forget to stay super hydrated and keep eating extra calories!

You can also look into RENTING a breast pump, but for me, owning one saved me!! My Medela lasted through 3 kiddos!!

I think that being a SAHM you may find a lot less need to pump, but it's not a bad idea to get a hand pump for occasions. I took my pump with me in the car when I had to leave DD for the evening while we dined out. Put my sweater on backwards and hooked up on the ride home because it was a long time to go without nursing my infant (had a PISA because I was also working). She got that milk later in a bottle. When DD was older and I was home FT, I just nursed on demand and used the pump occasionally. Again, mostly just for dates. If I knew I was going out for the night, I'd probably pump first thing in the AM or during a nap a few days prior to ensure the right number of bottles for the outing. I didn't pump in advance unless I had reason to - like work or going out. Friend pumped in the middle of the night for 2 weeks prior to a weekend away with her sister.

If you freeze, you have to remember to use it, which is part of why I didn't pump too far in advance when I was home.

http://www.addalittlelove.com/

I got my medela pump here and it was so much less expensive. You have to call for a price though. Believe me a good pump is worth it!! I borrowed one with my first child and it never worked properly. I was all along thinking it was me when really it was the pump. Make sure if u get a used one buy all new flapper valve things in addition to new tubing. They tend to wear out and not seal properly. You want to have a supply stockpiled just in case. What if you were to get sick or have to leave your child for a few days. It's much easier to pump when u have excess then to try and get three extra ounces when you need to leave the baby for a few hours. I know its a pain pumping but you can also use the milk when the baby starts cereal. Just my two cents. Good luck!

I'm a working mama, but did stay home with both my boys for 12 weeks and continued to breastfeed. Starting when baby was about 3 weeks old, I would pump one side in the morning (you make the most milk in the morning, so baby will have plenty)...just alternate sides daily and put pumped milk in bags in freezer - I usually would get 2-4oz to freeze a day. I swear by the Medela Pump-in-style....great pump!
Good luck with second baby!

Your best bet at this point is to NOT buy a pump but exclusively breastfeed. If you want to go out at first, baby is super easy to take with you and it is best for establishing your milk supply if baby only gets breastmilk from the breast for the first 4-6 weeks. Honestly, I had no problems with that. I took my son out shopping, to dinner, everywhere I went, he mostly slept at that age anyways. After you get breastfeeding off to a good start and your milk supply well established, then you might want to occasionally pump. For rare, occassional pumping, a handpump will do. For me, my pumping wasn't really to be able to substitute for my not being there but more for me to relieve the pressure. I stayed home with my son for a 6 month leave. I didn't pump and exclusively breastfed for my first 5 months. Then I began pumping once per day to start building up supply before returning to work. After I went to work, I nursed when I was with my son and pumped when he would nurse while I was at work. It worked pretty well for a year. I did have a Medela Pump in Style, which I loved!!! because I knew I was going back to work. Check with your lactation office at your hospital, or your local LLL chapter to learn about what the best handpumps are...

Oh, and formula is about $35/can - eventually you will need one per week. They estimate formula to be around $1200-$1500 for the first year! Makes pumps and supplies look cheap - plus they are tax deductible so save your receipts!!!! I think they do have to be purchased in the year of your child's birth though so wait for 2012.

C.

I'm a SAHM and I pumped. I used the Medela Pump In Style also. I'd just like to point out - that you never know. My baby couldn't latch but I wanted her to have breastmilk so I pumped exclusively for 14 months. My SIL had the same troubles with her first and also pumped. She just had her second and the baby is nursing just fine. But she just returned to work so she is still pumping. They are expensive but you will want to have a backup supply in your freezer. Just think of the money you'll be saving on formula. Also - I did find that when I needed parts for my pump purchasing from a lactation consultant (the hospital put me in touch with some that were local to me) was far less expensive than retail. I wish I had purchased my pump from them instead! No matter what you choose - enjoy your new baby - Congratulations!

No! You really don't need it!
Like I said in my other answer to your other question...I have 2 Pump in Styles sitting in my closet.
I did not even get them out w/ my 2nd as I did not go back to work after he was born.
I did however, use my hand pump and it worked perfectly fine for pumping a little everyday.
I have the Avent manual pump which was $50 when I got it in 2005. It has been a great little pump.
I pumped a little after afternoon feedings to establish a freezer supply.
Save your money!
:)

L. - check out www.mommygear.com. They have the BEST prices on Medela pumps, there is even a single one a friend of mind was considering because she was going to be a SAHM. MommyGear has a great website and a store in Ligonier, PA and those ladies are AMAZING. Good Luck

I pumped and used the playtex drop ins with my daughter. It was easy to do, but as time went on it was easier to just nurse her. In the beginning it was nice so someone else could take a nighttime feed and I could sleep. With my son I was a pro at bf and it was just easier to nurse him. He was also quick about it and didn't nurse as often. So it likely will depend how things go, on how much you will want to pump. I am glad I pumped some with my daughter and glad I didn't with my son.

There's a consignment in Moon Township, (Cottage Consignment???) and the owner is a lactation consultant for Sewickley Hospital. She's a licensed reseller of Medela pumps, and you will find them more affordable.

NOTE: As of a few months ago, it is now illegal to resell Medela pumps (it used to be the only brand that you could resell to another person, second hand), due to fungus found in the tubing and machines when they were taken apart. All pumps must be sold brand new, fyi.

I have 3 children that were full time breast fed and never pumped!