Baby Parenting Guide

Would you consider pumping your breast milk is the same as breast feeding?

The mothers breast milk is the best source if nutrition for an infant and I wanna be able to give my little one as much nutrition as I can. I was wondering if pumping the milk out of your breast would be just as effective as breast feeding. Will you still be burning calories? Will the baby still get the same exact nutrition? I am currently pregnant and planning on breast feeding but my schedule will not allow me to be able to breast feed her whenever she needs it. School, work will keep me away from her for most of the time.

Public Response to Would you consider pumping your breast milk is the same as breast feeding?

1. Yes and yes but it is better for the child to nurse from you for the comfort and bonding. I still breastfeed my 15 month old and it is very rewarding.
2. yes and yes. let the kid give it a shot from your boob though. i was only going to pump, but i found out that we both liked breastfeeding right from the boob. super bond snuggle times. <3
3. Not a doctor or anything, but I think yes and yes. But you may be missing the bonding part with your baby. But whats a working mom to do? :) Good luck !
4. Yes you still burn calories and yes the baby still gets the same nutrition (although perhaps not EXACTLY the same as the fat cells can cling to the plastic or glass of the bottle, but in such small amounts you don't need to worry). However, it's very very much more draining and harder than regular breastfeeding, and because the pump isn't as efficient as the baby at draining your breast or stimulating milk, you may experience supply issues more often than a woman who breastfeeds at the breast. The other thing to consider is that the action of breastfeeding at the breast stimulates more muscle action and can contribute to early development in that sense whereas bottle feeding is a more passive action. This doesn't last beyond the nursing stage however so isn't a major consideration.
5. i am breastfeeding my son i have been since he was born but he is now 3 months and i am starting to just pump the milk for him cause i have to go back to school but it may be a good idea to let your baby feed from your breast that way your milk supply comes in faster and that way you can bond with your little bundle of joy and something very important to remember is not to give up if you do decide to breastfeed it is hard at first but when it gets easier it is so worth it and you will have a sense of pride knowing that you was able to you give your baby the best start to their life good luck to you
6. No, it's not. No pump is as efficient as a sucking baby, and you are likely to lose your supply rapidly. To be honest you need to take the rose coloured glasses off here. If your schedule won't allow you to feed your baby, it's pretty unlikely to allow you to pump enough to feed her exclusively on breastmilk. Pumping takes _longer_ than breastfeeding. And you're really, really unlikely to be able to establish your milk supply in the first place just through pumping. Not impossible. But it would take a huge amount of time, and that's what you say you don't have.