how soon should I start pumping?!

Question

I've been breastfeeding my son for just over two weeks now. I would like to start pumping so I can actually leave the house for more than two hours. I've been reading that pumping and giving breast milk in a bottle too soon can cause nipple confusion. Also, I am still using the nipple shield when I BF (working on transitioning off of it). Just wondering what others are doing!!

Answer

There's no such thing as nipple confusion; nipple preference yes. And there's no too soon to start pumping and intoducing a bottle. You don't want to be 4 months out and baby won't even touch a bottle (always need to be prepared just in case anything happens). Go for it! Make sure to stick with a slow flow.

Answer

My lactation consultant asked us to use Dr. Browns preemie slow flow nipples, as they imitate our breasts and regulate the flow so that baby has to work its way to get milk.. as you're already using nipple shield, I'm pretty sure your little one won't have any nipple confusion.

Answer

Lots of good responses already, but I just want to add that if you don't have a breast pump already, you should see if you can get a free one. I work for Aeroflow and we work with most PPO and Medicaid plans to provide free breast pumps to moms. We have a lot of different pump options. You can see if you qualify here: http://Afbp.co/glow

Answer

I was worried about introducing a bottle or pacifier too soon because I've read all this things saying it'll ruin breastfeeding. I wanted to try and hold off on both until I went back to work. I ended up getting really sick and had to go to the hospital, so I decided to pump and give her the expressed milk. Since then she has had no issues going from breast to bottle or pacifier. Maybe some babies have issues with going between different types of nipples but I have had no problem with it. It's been nice to be able to give her a bottle if I need to go get something done.

Answer

I started pumping around 2 weeks, and we gave the first bottle at one month exactly. We have had no problems.

Answer

I introduced the paci at 3 weeks and bottle at 4, going back to work at 6. Haven't had s problem

Answer

I also use a nipple shield most of the time. We introduced a bottle when my girl was 4 weeks and she didn't have any issues going back & forth, although we don't give her a ton of bottles. I think it all depends on the baby. Good luck!!

Answer

Breast flow bottles 🙌🏽

Answer

I had really bad sore and crackes nipples the first week she was born. Day 3 through Day 7 of her life, I pumped and bottle fed her, while my nipples healed. She took to a bottle great, and then back on my nipple at Day 8, no problem. I've given her minimal bottles since then, but she has taken them fine. I use the same brand for paci's and bottle nipples, and I feel that has helped not confuse her so much. Good luck!

Answer

I've read you must breast feed for up to 4 weeks, then you can bottle feed. You can still pump now and store the milk in a freezer if you want to.

how soon should I start pumping?!

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