On the breast vs pumping?

[happyfamily123]

As long as it is breast milk is one better than the other (for your or baby)?

 

[Samantha675]

I don't really think so. It would be way easier to just BF'd as just expressing is an incredible amount of work, and I applaud those who do it!

 

[mommyof3co]

Both are great for baby of course! I do think that straight nursing is better, as the milk sets, is warmed again, frozen anything like that it does loose some nutrients.

 

[Jkelmum]

Nursing is better imo but like me not always possible but exclusivley pumping is hard work and draining ....i pump 1 hr before my daughter is due and find i have one eye on the clock all day ...the odd pump to give u a break and daddy a chance to feed would be fine also ...basically do what u find best for u a happy mum equals happy baby xxx

 

[Mervs Mum]

No different nutrient wise.

 

[mommyof3co]

I should explain my post more lol, just giving it fresh in a bottle there is no difference But when you freeze it it does kill some things in it, but it's still great for babies. So they recommend if possible storing in the fridge and using it up that way instead of having to freeze it.

 

[asacia]

I've been exclusively expressing for 8 weeks and it is incredibly hard. For the first 6 weeks most need to pump 8-10 times a day, after that about 6-7.

I have to pump 9 times a day, 20 minutes each boob. Thats 6 hours a day pumping.

It is hard when you re pumping and the baby cries, and you have to figure out what to do.

It is very stressful, I wouldn't recommend it as a choice.

 

[Logiebear]

Personally I would't say pumping was a choice for me. The work involved is sooooooooo demanding. Nursing is simply the easiest choice for feeding point of view. Although I have nursing incredibly hard atleast I haven't had to pump for hours on end. I admire anyone who chooses to pump.

Freezing breast milk kills off some of the nutrients but not a huge amount xxx

 

[whiby]

I've had to pump as Ethan is now 2 weeks old and will just will NOT latch on - we've been to clinics and had midwives manhandling me to get him on - the closest he came was to bite down and turn his head - OWWWWW. I've had to pump and I wouldn't recommend it as an exclusive option if you have a choice, it's a constant cycle of sterilising, pumping and feeding. I keep it in the fridge so nutritionally I don't think there's a difference but it's really hard work! Only 2 weeks in and I already want to stop, but I'm persevering for as long as possible until the midwives tell me there's nothing left to try to get him to latch on. If you can I would breastfeed.

 

[massacubano]

I am proud for any mom who pumps only. amazing, hard hard work! I am doing both right now. I made 25 ml at once Which I added his vitamin drops to and he had a nice quick fix... kind of messed up my bb's now I am fuller... its hard to balance. I need to store it and not feed the express......

 

[lillysmum]

personally i don't think i could do exclusive pumping, it is a lot of work as samantha675 said, I love the closeness of BF and i do bow to those who can pump exclusively, but theres no reason why your baby wouldn't get the same nutrients either way

 

[amelia222]

My LO refused to latch on until she was 10 days old so I was exclusively pumping until then. Those were the longest and most tiring days of my life. I truly do admire those who can express for months, I don't think I could have done it.

Other than the time factor, the one huge downside to pumping for me was the damage the pump did to my nipples. There are huge chunks of skin missing and it hurts so much every time I have to feed my LO. I learned after that there are different sizes of the tube part that sucks your nipple in. It should NOT rub on the sides. If it does you have the wrong size and it will cause major damage - skin rubbed off every time you pump. OUCH!

 

[massacubano]

amelia222 OUCH @ huge chunks of skin missing! what kind of pump is that?

 

[amelia222]

It was the medela electric one at the hospital.
Just now it's starting to not hurt as much every time Alice feeds......but most of the time the pain still radiates all the way down my arm

 

[babymama]

Whether straight from the breast or expressed, milk is milk and there's nothing better. Like many mentioned it is a lot easier to nurse than to pump, however for me personally, pumping is the right choice. I exclusively pump on average 6 times in a day (24hrs) spend about 15 minutes on both boobs (8oz) while LO is napping and it's done. Try both and see what works for you.