How early can I start pumping and bottle feed?

[atalanta85]

I am currently studying and a few weeks off my due date.

In total, I am doing 4hrs of classes Monday and 7hrs on Tuesday.

I want to get back to study ASAP because I'm in my last semester and there is no option of deferral - the course is being scrapped and rewritten for next year, it will be twice the length and size which means my study load will greatly increase.

So I'm looking to pump, but I'm unsure as to how early I can start. Ideally I was looking at 2 weeks to go back to uni, but is that too early?

I won't be exclusively pumping, only at these times.

(I forgot to ask my midwife today and don't see her again until next week)

 

[CupcakeBaby]

They advise no pumping or bottles until 6 weeks. Xx

 

[maybebaby3]

With my 1st I pumped and fed from bottle at 4wks no probs

 

[Serafina83]

I started pumping at 2 weeks and gave first bottle at 3 weeks x

 

[toby1331]

I was told four weeks if breast feeding was firmly established. I started then with pumping and one bottle a day.

 

[Julesillini8]

I think they advise about 4-6 wks to start. but with my first baby, I had mastitis and had load of doctors apptointments and eventually had to meet with a surgeon and have it drained a few weeks in a row. I didn't want to take my young baby all over the hospitals ( yuck) so I pumped and had my mom stay home with my daughter and give her the pumped milk In a bottle while I was gone at these appointments. This was from when she was only 2 1/2 wks old. Everything was fine, she took a bottle like a champ and I ended up nursing her for a year so no problems with any of it by starting that early.
I think you would be ok since you are only doing it for a short bit on those two days.... Good luck!

 

[seaweed eater]

3-4 weeks is what's recommended here. Just be careful with it so you don't mess with your supply. You don't want to be pumping a lot more than LO is taking, or not keeping up and having to dip into your freezer stash or combi feed.

Hats off to you if you manage to go back at 2 weeks. I just cannot imagine going back that soon, so if you can take more time off, I would. At my university there's a maternity leave policy that gives students who give birth 6 weeks off -- might be worth looking into. FWIW, you may have a lot of time when you're stuck on the couch nursing and could easily read on a laptop or tablet, so you could study and work remotely -- it's just getting out of the house that I found really difficult at that stage.

 

[Mrschoochoo]

My boobs were so large and painful I pumped milk off on day 4 after the birth I felt loads better! I now pump every evening when my toddler goes to bed and my husband gives her the previous nights milk in a bottle. It means I get a couple of hours to have a shower, do some housework etc. Its nice as he gets to be involved with feeding and there is always a few oz sitting in the fridge in case I do need to leave her
Its worked for us without any problems, dont feel there are a set of rules to stick to, you have to do what works for you.

 

[belle254]

Ive both pumped and breast fed my two LOs since day 2 or 3 with both babies, never had any problems with relatching. I had mastitis and supply issues when I got ill the first time round but this time it's been fine x