? about pumping before baby is born

[CTMOMOF2]

I'm not nursing anyone right now, and haven't in 2 years, but i keep feeling let downs, and i can feel my breasts are full these past couple of weeks. Is it ok to start pumping now?? Maybe this will help induce labor? Could it hurt? Will milk come out? What about needing colostrum for the baby when she comes out? Will there be any if i'm already pumping??
Sorry for all the questions, i figured maybe some nursing while pg moms would know the answers!!

[nonconformnmom]

I wouldn't recommend pumping before baby is born. The first milk is called "colostrum" and is very, very important for your baby. If you pump now, you may interrupt the normal production of colostrum. Also, you will signal to your body to increase production, and then you'll be in a continuous cycle where you'll have to pump more, and your body will produce more, and on and on.

Also, yes, pumping can induce labor. If naturally encouraging labor is what you want, you can do nipple stimulation on your own (or with your dh!).

Honestly, I wouldn't even pump for at least a week to two weeks after baby is born. You want your milk supply to regulate itself based on your baby's actual feeding needs.

Best wishes to you!

[alegna]

I wouldn't do it.

-Angela

[frenchie]

I think that would be a very unwise thing to do. Why would you to do it? Just curious.

[CTMOMOF2]

I think that would be a very unwise thing to do. Why would you to do it? Just curious.

just to start stocking up... and maybe it would help induce some contractions?? I figured if i were nursing a toddler, what's the difference if i wanted to start stocking my freezer?? I doubt i would anyway, i was just curious if one COULD...

[alegna]

just to start stocking up... and maybe it would help induce some contractions?? I figured if i were nursing a toddler, what's the difference if i wanted to start stocking my freezer?? I doubt i would anyway, i was just curious if one COULD...

It's not likely that you'd get milk in any quantity to be worth it.

-Angela

[sugarcube78]

It wouldn't be like nursing a toddler, because your flow would be on schedule with your toddler. You have no natural schedule at this point. You would just confuse your body...and maybe overproduce for when babe comes. overproduction could be a problem for your babe...and may make it difficult to start babe nursing. Colustrum comes in slow and smooth. If you were overproducing...this may turn babe off. I think you would just be messing with the natural process. Once babe is here...maybe like 2 weeks after, you can easily stock up. Just pump after each feeding.

[Eaglevoice]

I wouldn't do it, though it would be nice to be able to stock up ahead of time :lol. But I agree with pp that you would most likely confuse your body and make things more difficult in the long run.

[CTMOMOF2]

Thanks, it doesn't sound like a good idea!! I just like getting prepared and i'm nesting like crazy... i though, maybe i could get my milk ready too!! haha oh well... another couple of weeks, its all good!