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 Ask Dr. Jana
Pumping Instead of Nursing | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Jana,
I am thirty weeks into my first pregnancy and am considering breastfeeding. I was interested in pumping exclusively and not actually "breast" feeding. The baby would still be receiving the best choice in early nutrition without the burden of feeding being solely on mom. Is this at all possible?— Confused about Feeding in Muncie, IN | | | ANSWER |
July 2, 2001 | | | Dear Confused about Feeding,
I think it is wonderful that you are interested in offering your baby the benefit of breast milk even though you are not interested in actually nursing. The answer to your question about exclusively pumping is that it is entirely possible.
That said, perhaps one of the biggest determining factors in whether or not this will work is your determination to do it. Some mothers who have no option but to pump--for example, if their infants are born very premature or if they are having difficulties actually nursing--can sometimes find this alternative frustrating and often quit breastfeeding altogether instead of having to pump without the satisfaction of nursing.
The fact that you are eager to pump makes this option far more likely to be successful for you. I suggest that you discuss with your obstetrician, nurse practitioner, chosen pediatrician, or a local lactation consultant how to prepare yourself and how to actually go about doing the pumping. While breast pumps can quickly become second nature, ideally you'll want to feel comfortable about how to use one--including the basics of how much and how often to pump--before your baby is born.
I also will mention that if your intention is to share the responsibility of feeding your baby with your partner and/or others, pumping on a regular basis to provide your baby with breast milk will still leave open the option of nursing if and when you do feel like it. If this is an option you want to consider, I suggest that you discuss it with someone trained in breastfeeding so that you know how to help your infant master nursing from the breast as well as the bottle.
I'll be interested to hear how things go. Best wishes for a speedy labor and delivery!— by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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