Pumping While Pregnant... Helpful or Harmful?

Question

Hello fellow mommies to be, I'm very curious about pumping while pregnant to increase and reassure I have a good supply, I'm currently pregnant with my second baby, and with my first son I struggled at being about to produce enough supply for him to feed, I eventually developed an infection at about 4-5 weeks after birth and was advised to stop breastfeeding due to the possibility of passing the infection to my son. I have read mixed reviews on pumping before birth but I would like some personal insight on the matter. I really want to try breastfeeding again with my second child but I also want to find ways to make sure my supply is in high demand when he's born due to the issues with my first go at breastfeeding, has anyone pumped while pregnant and if so did it help or hurt your experience with breastfeeding??

Answer

It won't help your supply of milk. You'd just be pumping colostrum, the milk won't come until you have baby.

Answer

Don't pump. Your baby needs that colostrum that your body is currently trying to make. Its full of all the antibodies etc. The milk doesn't come in til a few days after the baby is born. Just do your best once you have the baby.

Answer

I've read it can cause preterm labor but wasn't sure how it was any different from mothers who breastfeed children through out pregnancy, and that's what I was wondering, since it's not mature milk of it would be worth it. Just scared I'm going to have the same result with my second as I did with my first I guess

Answer

I tried pumping to stimulate labour with my second and all I ever got was blistered nipples and no milk. I just pumped an extra little bit at the end of every feed and one extra bottle worth in the afternoon. Nothing really works better than your own baby though. Just make sure they get a full feed, not falling asleep during the feed etc. If you feel yourself doubting your abilities: don't. There are very few medical conditions that will actually cause you to have low supply, I have low thyroid which is one of the conditions that affect your milk supply however I successfully breastfed my second for a year. Like I said I mostly breastfed and would just pump a little extra here and there to get a frozen store up but I never really needed any of that milk. I'm sure you will be fine, one thing I can say from experience with my first is that stressing about it will make it worse. Just trust your instincts mama xx

Answer

It can cause contractions. There is no reason to do it. When your baby is born you will produce hormones that can trigger your milk supply to start.

Answer

I worked for a pump company and did customer service any mom that called and was pumping while pregnant we strongly advised against as it can cause you to go into labor!!

Answer

The midwife told me it's unnecessary. Basically said don't do it unless there's a specific reason why you have too

Answer

My prenatal teacher/midwife said it isn't advised as you are pumping the colostrum which is important for the baby to get in the first hours of birth. So I wouldn't advise you do it

Answer

lol (is I wouldn't. I know some moms that were already breast feeding a previous baby when they got pregnant and was able to continue. But nipple stimulation and pumping does cause contractions

Pumping While Pregnant... Helpful or Harmful?

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