Only pumping??

Question

So I plan on feeding my baby breast milk but I was thinking of only pumping and joy actually breastfeeding him. I get a ton of comments about how that will be way too hard and how I won't have the time nor patience for it. What do you think? Does it sound reasonable to only pump?

Answer

I exclusively pump as my son refused to latch.  It IS more work.  You have to pump (15-30 minutes for double electric pump, 30-50 minutes for manual single pump), store, and wash all parts EVERY TIME.  Then you feed your baby.  This may mean warming up the bottle.
 
For a 4 oz bottle plus pumping, it takes between an hour to an hour and a half for the morning feed.  My son is only awake for about 30-45 minutes of that time... so it takes an extra 30-60 minutes away from sleeping while he sleeps.
 
I also found pumping hurt more than breast feeding.  I got use to it, but lanolin is your best friend.  Apply BEFORE and AFTER pumping.
 
If you plan on going out longer than 2-3 hours at a time, invest in a manual pump.  Engorged boobs are NOT fun and you will need to pump to empty out your breasts and keep your supply going.
 
My son is 4 months and I am happy that I can provide him breast milk despite latching issues.  It is annoying to feel like a dairy cow, and I hate shaping my life around pumping and not being able to just breast feed him, but I will take it.

Answer

I am a exclusive pumped. My daughter is almost 5 months old. And I have to this point have not had to use formula 🤞🏼 I have never attached her to me for my own reasons. But I haven't had any issue. It is a lot of work but possible. Good luck

Answer

I did exclusively pump with my first and then exclusively breastfed my second. Second time around has been much easier just breastfeeding. Pumping can definitely be done and did have some positives but breastfeeding was just easier. Especially sleeping and night time feedings. It's nice not to have to warm up bottles and wait while your baby is waiting. Like I said could definitely be done and has positives but I personally prefer the breastfed.

Answer

I exclusively pump. My daughter was in the NICU so I wasn't able to breastfeed in the beginning. Now that she's home I started breastfeeding. Honestly I find it easier to pump. I pump the same time I feed her. So instead of a 45 minutes to an hour of breastfeeding I only spend 20-25 minutes feeding with a bottle and pumping. It also helps because instead of supplementing with straight 30 calorie formula, I just fortify the milk with powdered formula.

Answer

To the ladies that make it work, that is wonderful. Do what you know is best for you, your baby, and your family.
For those of you who are in the process of making decisions related to breastfeeding, I hope that my experience and thoughts might help.
My son latched but was not getting enough to prompt him to keep suckling. He went to sleep instead. Every time. 
I tried exclusive pumping but ultimately it did not work for me. I had supply issues, the time commitment was too intense, and I constantly found myself deciding whether it was better to spend the time to pump, get more sleep, or get out of the house for sunshine, air, walking, and social interaction. I am at high risk for PPD and other mental health issues so all of those things became more important than providing breast milk.
I also wanted to be able to spend more focused time with my baby! This is the only one I am going to have so I didn't want to spend time every two to three hours, 24 hours a day, pumping to make sure to keep up a supply. You still have to feed the baby so you are basically doubling the amount of time needed to feed every time the baby feeds. I guess you could pump while you feed the baby which I would find awkward and unpleasant.
If you are trying to decide between pumping and formula, you may want to read the rest. If not, stop reading and enjoy the rest of your day!
I use formula. The studied benefits of breast milk have been exaggerated to an extent. The studies are correlational and correlation is not the same as causation.
I am not saying that formula is better but I do believe that a better-rested and less-isolated mama is for some mothers, better for baby. Less sleep often correlates with depression and weight gain. Social isolation also can have negative side effects. And as much as I champion the right of a woman to breast feed or pump wherever she wants to, it did occur to me that I would feel very strange breastfeeding or pumping in front of certain family members (such as my father-in-law, even though he is a doctor!). So there are situations in which I would feel the need to isolate myself to pump.
I do believe that there is such a huge push to breastfeed that when it does not work out well, there is guilt and grieving that goes along with deciding to go with formula instead. Modern life makes it difficult to breastfeed and exclusive pumping is even harder.
My OB told me: "It's ok, I was formula fed." My OB is in his seventies, specializes in high risk pregnancies, is affiliated with one of the best hospitals in Chicago, and flies around the world to give presentations. Obviously his brain is in good shape. He also does not have a weight problem.
I was also formula fed. I was rarely sick and now I am a professor. My brain is in pretty good shape. I do have a weight issue but diabetes runs deep into my family history. 
My mom was formula fed. She didn't do the whole college thing but has had a very successful career. Her IQ is fine.
My point is that formula fed babies are not doomed to constant sickness, low IQ, or obesity.
Feeding with breast milk is obviously cheaper :)

Answer

I breastfeed so I'm not an expert on pumping but I think the moms that exclusively pump deserve an award as I found it much harder then breastfeeding and much more painful but that's just my experience with it! My daughter came out and instantly latched so I was blessed, I just went into it thinking "I want to breastfeed but if for whatever reason I can't I won't blame myself for it" good luck with everything 😊

Answer

I exclusively pump my baby girl didn't have a good latch and honestly I love it it's a little tough to get into a routine once you do it's second nature.

Answer

I exclusively pump for my 10 month old daughter.  It takes more time and dedication just because there's more work involved but I'm so glad I made the effort.  She's healthy, happy and I feel great that I can provide for her.

Answer

I entertained this idea, nope. Baby gets breast unless I'm away. It's easier that way. Nothing to clean, she is more efficient, she eats until she is full and I don't need to worry if I thawed enough for her, which there have been times I haven't so....that made things more than shitty, I'll just be honest. Nothing like your husband trying to feed his baby and help momma by do I g so only for it not to be enough food and it took a half hour so I needed up having to feed her any way.  So that's how it works in my family.

Answer

Why not breastfeed? 
What are your reasons for not wanting to do it?

Only pumping??

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