Is there any benefit to pumped breastmilk?
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Anonymous
| I’ve been pumping for a week after a month of breastfeeding not working that well. We have tried it all and baby doesn't like it. I’ve been looking at some research, and everything I read says pumped milk is mostly useless, because most of the breastfeeding benefits you can only get through nursing. He had had formula, but there is still a shortage, and I’ve only been able to pick up a limited amount at a time. Is pumping beneficial or should I just pump until I get a good stock of formula and formula feed? |
Anonymous
| I think the benefits of breastfeeding are tiny if present and the only benefit of pumped breast milk is that you don’t have to find formula if there’s a shortage. But I’m not an expert in the field, just a mother who really hated pumping so I’m more than a little biased. In your case I’d probably switch to formula once I had confidence my baby would take it/I would be able to find it. |
Anonymous
| Yes. I did a ton of research on this when starting to pursue exclusive pumping and it's the other way around. I could not find a shred of empirical evidence that the direct transfer from the breast does a thing. The milk itself has antibodies etc. |
Anonymous
|
Yes there is a benefit to pumped milk. But that doesn’t mean you need to keep pumping. Source enough formula to feel confident in your choice and give yourself time to wean off the pump. It gets better 💗
I bf and pumped a long long time and it took months to smooth out. And even with extended breastfeeding there were tough periods. My body was suited to it and I could work my job around the needed schedule. But if I couldn’t or baby and I couldn’t synch a latch I’d have not pumped. It’s ok to stop. |
Anonymous
| You can find research to support any point of view with this. It’s not important. Do what is best for you and your family. |
Anonymous
| It’s free. That’s the only benefit. |
Anonymous
| Pumped milk is just as good as from the breast, but as PP said, you still don’t need to do it. |
Anonymous
| Yes, they're still getting antibodies from you. OP, if you need formula, can you post here what brand you're looking for? Maybe if someone has extra they can get it to you. |
Anonymous
+100 |
Anonymous
OP here. I don’t mind pumping and I have a good supply. I just don’t want to put all this effort into it if there is really no benefit. It’s fine now, but I’m not sure I will want to do when I go back to work or once he’s not napping as much if there is little benefit. I use Kendamil Organic but we don’t need it. I have a freezer stash and I’m still pumping. I have 1 formula that we are using once a day just to use it up, but I will slowly start to stock up formula if we need it. There is a good amount at the stores near me, but I haven’t bought it because I don’t want to buy it unless we actually need it. |
Anonymous
OP here. Everything I read said that direct breastfeeding is more beneficial because your body can tailor good bacteria and ward off illnesses by baby’s saliva. Pumped milk that is frozen degrades over time and that many of the antibodies and nutrients are lost. Some studies say women have less fat content in pumped milk. I also read that it’s harder to keep up supply with a pump longterm. |
Anonymous
Lulz |
Anonymous
| I pumped 9 months and kept the freezer stash rotated. You have options and can do what works for you. Can continue as you are. You can gradually reduce the amount of pumping and add in more formula. You can stop pumping and work with a mix of your freezer stash and formula. Make sure to try a frozen one soon to see it your milk frezzes okay and no lipase isuues. |
Anonymous
| I think super fresh pumped milk would be more or less the same but once you get to be a few days old (or frozen) probably not, honestly. Do what works for you. However you feed your baby is great. |
Anonymous
Haha right? My time is obviously worthless. |