Is it realistic to never pump? - Page 2

[cndnveggie]

I pumped a bit at the beginning, mainly because I wanted the option to be able to leave DS with DH for a bit if I needed to go out. But DS didn't take a bottle, so the little milk that I did pump was never used... And then I never pumped again - so it's definitely possible, as long as you're able to be available to nurse whenever your child needs you

[Addie]

Wow, thanks for all the responses! It's great to hear that others have made it without pumping. We'll just keep things the way they are, unless we have a reason to change.

[Biscuits & Gravy]

I've pumped twice for DS. Both for times when I went out for some "mama time" and he stayed with DH. He didn't touch the milk I left, so I totally could have gotten by without a pump. (I have mine from when I was a WOHM when DS was a baby)

[kittywitty]

I only pumped when I had to work when #2 was little. Never ever pumped otherwise. Not worth the time or hassle.

[Birdie B.]

I guess I'm the only one whose child has been sick enough to not be able to nurse - I am so glad I had a pump then!!! She wouldn't nurse for about a day and a half, and if I hadn't pumped the engorgement would have been terrible.

I didn't buy the pump - my friend gave it to me because she never used it. It came in handy a few times, but it is a big expense if you don't need it. If you need one for some unforeseen circumstance, manual ones are rather affordable.

[Juvysen]

I have three breastfed kids - nursed DD til 2 1/2, Ds1 til he was almost 2 (he quit) and am still nursing Ds2 (though he's only 3 weeks old, so I'm not sure it counts much toward this discussion), but I've never ever pumped. A couple of times I wasn't sure if I'd be gone a bit long, and I've hand expressed a couple ounces, but mostly my kids were on solids a little by the time I left for more than an hour or two, so we filled in with solids in those cases. I happily have no pump, and feel ok about not having a saved up supply in the freezer... Somehow I think there'll be bigger issues than breastmilk if I'm in such an emergency situation as to not be able to nurse. Other things I should be able to see coming and work up a frozen supply, I think.

[neverdoingitagain]

I had much better luck hand expressing than using a pump. I rarely got anything while pumping.

[russsk]

I pumped a few times with a manual pump when DS was a baby, but he refused to drink the milk anyway so I stopped. I don't think I'll bother with the next one. Maybe a few ounces with the manual just in case, but probably not even.

[JulAmber]

Totally realistic if you are a stay at home mom. I have done it. My DD is 13 months (this Thursday) and has never had a bottle. And I can leave her for a little while just fine. When she was younger I just took her everywhere and nursed her in the car with a cover just fine. When she was a little older and could go longer (2-3 hours between feedings) I could even be without her occasionally. I would just nurse her right before I left and as soon as I returned. Honestly I just personally think/thought pumping seemed like a huge expense and time killer when BFing is SO easy and quick. I did (after complications, postpartum hemorrhage after birth) end up in the hospital and they gave me a manual hand pump that I did find useful because I over produce and sometimes needed to pump off a little so that DD could latch on and not get choked so I was glad I had that but I never stored that milk, just rinsed the pump and dumped it out. It was very little, like I said just enough to make it possible for DD to eat.

[gardenmommy]

Totally possible. I pumped with #1 because I wohm. I pumped with #2, because I donated milk to a friend. Haven't pumped with any of my other babies. I don't even own a pump anymore. I would not pump without a very good reason, since I don't really enjoy the experience.

[ledzepplon]

I'm a SAHM and I never needed a pump with my first two. I did get one when baby #3 rolled around, but only ended up using it a handful of times.

[Nicole730]

totally realistic IMO. I have one and I like that is is electric for when I want to go out without baby. But that is rare, usually baby is always with me. If you for some reason are going out, you can always hand express the milk. I did that, usually into a bowl, until I bought the electric one.

[chocolatefish]

DS is 27 months, still nursing and I've never pumped / given him a bottle. No need to.

Actually I did buy a hand pump that was in a sale and use it a couple of times just out of curiosity... the resulting dribbles were used to mix with Weetabix once he was starting solids! Nothing worth filling a bottle with!

[libranbutterfly]

I did pump with older DD, but there was no real need with younger DD. I tried once, and she refused the bottle anyways.

[emmalizz]

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[TzippityDoulah]

The only reason I pump is so i can have some milk to delute his supplements in (he is allergic to everything so we don't do any other types of milks or juice and it's a little bitter so water doesn't work). and b/c sometimes I get some sleep if my husband feeds him. we are 100% mommy milk though. and it was a HUGE help when I had the stomach flu! like I said, his allergies keep me from using any kind of other milks whatsoever, and my milk really went down big time when I was sick. I was very thankful... that aside I could totally see going without a pump.