1st time BFing Mom...Pumping during the first month?

[Anonymous]

This is a very helpful threat.

Let me add one more question...if I could.

When people say they pumped so that dad could give baby a bottle and give mom a break (which I am ALL for...) doesn't mom still need to pump during the time dad is giving the bottle?

[Anonymous]

PP here...this is a helpful THREAD, not a threat!!!! Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Also, just something else...I pumped at some point during those first few weeks and kept the milk...froze it, and lo and behold...when we went to use in a couple of months...the baby wouldn't touch it. It wasn't even the same color as the milk I was pumping at the time. She would take the more recent milk, but the stuff from the first month or two...she wouldn't drink. I think the make up of the milk changes, so keeping some of that stuff in the beginning might not help you later. Especially if your baby, like mine, gets finicky!

[Anonymous]

I agree, my DD didn't like the BM I pumped and froze. It does change consistency (and odors may have seeped in from the freezer despite being stored in the Gerber freezer bags). Some babies are like. Some moms/dads on this board will tell you that their babies did just fine with frozen/thawed BM.

Yes, I was one of those moms that pumped and DH, MIL, my mom, etc. thought that was fine because that meant they could partake in feeding DD. In the beginning, I pumped every 3 hours, so yes, sometimes I did pump while DH was giving DD a bottle. Other times, the "window of opportunity" allowed me to shower, collect my thoughts, veg. for a few minutes, clean my pump stuff, etc.

Good luck. You'll find the right groove that works for you.

[Anonymous]

I'm a PP. I pumped so dad could give a bottle -- and I typically do pump at the same time as dad gives the bottle. If it is the last feed of the night, I might not do it at exactly the same time -- but close. There were a couple of times that I slept in a bit while dad gave the bottle and so I was a little out of sync with the baby. I would pump and then put a little aside on the counter in case the baby got hungry before I felt like my BM would be there for him.

[Anonymous]

First time mom of a five month old here. For the first couple of months I would pump occasionally. I found that I had so much to do during the day that the 15 mins I spent pumping could be better used on sleep or eating. Now I pump once a day to have some set aside for someone else to feed her, or to freeze for later.

The few times dad gave her a bottle of formula, and the first night she slept 7 hours straight, I became engored and I had to pump. Oh, what a cruel twist -- she slept but I had to wake up to pump.

[Anonymous]

OP Here...

Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and advice. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your detailed responses. Hearing from moms who have been through this before really helps.