Those that have/are breast feeding...

[jade-e-bug]

I'll be 26 weeks pregnant tomorrow & I'm starting to produce colostrum...Would it be possible to start pumping milk/colostrum now before baby is born & freeze it?? I want to try and breastfeed & thought if it was possible to get a "head-start" on milk I may do so....Any info would help...

[Hippychick]

I do not think I would do it, maybe call a LC and ask what they think?

[Bridget]

No, I would not do that. I would think it would just confuse your body, messing with the natural order of things. Also, can't nipple stimulations cause early contractions?

[macksmom]

I would not. I think it's great you are already producing and you will probably have plenty for when baby arrives. Nipple stimulation could cause contractions. I would not do any pumping at all until after 37 weeks....

[misfit]

I would not. It has the potential to cause contractions.

[jade-e-bug]

No, I would not do that. I would think it would just confuse your body, messing with the natural order of things. Also, can't nipple stimulations cause early contractions?

You know ladies, I have NO IDEA why I even thought I COULD pump now...I knew that nipple stimulation could cause contractions & early labor, but for some reason it didn't cross my mind when I asked this! LOL

In NO WAY will I be pumping until baby arrives!!! :D Sorry for even asking this stupid question ladies! LOL PREGGO BRAIN 100%....:P

[CorpsmanWife]

S
You know ladies, I have NO IDEA why I even thought I COULD pump now...I knew that nipple stimulation could cause contractions & early labor, but for some reason it didn't cross my mind when I asked this! LOL

In NO WAY will I be pumping until baby arrives!!! :D Sorry for even asking this stupid question ladies! LOL PREGGO BRAIN 100%....:P


I wanted to do the same thing when I was pregnant with my first. So, you're not the only one that has asked! :) You're just excited about breastfeeding and providing for your child. There's nothing wrong with that. :)

[Mamarazzi]

ITA with the other ladies, not a good idea!
I wish we could though, I'm leaking now too, and with my supply issues last time around it would be so fantastic to have a head start on a stash!

[cheeksy]

Even if not for the contractions, you are still not "ready" to start this process. And it is muuuch easier to get clogged ducts. You can start pumping as soon as the baby is born and you feel a bit more energized. :hugs:

[BabyLove1]

Yeah I'd hold off too... your milk will change composition as the baby develops as well, so you wouldn't really want a ton of the early milk on hand in that case - it's better to build the supply as you go so your milk keeps up with what your LO needs.

Besides...I've never even heard of anyone being able to build up a supply of actual milk before the baby comes - is that even possible? I mean, it took almost 4 days before my milk came in with DD1 and taht was with her literally using me as a pacifier and nursing 20-25 times a day during those first few days...

[As Is]

ITA with the other ladies, not a good idea!
I wish we could though, I'm leaking now too, and with my supply issues last time around it would be so fantastic to have a head start on a stash!

Yeah that. I started really leaking back when I had the flu, I think that was 22ish weeks and after that went away it's just been drops here or there. It's kind of bittersweet to not do anything about it when I had such a hard time with supply but also gives me hope that maybe this will be better. And I have 3 to feed to go around.

[surlecn]

can't nipple stimulations cause early contractions?

I was thinking the same thing.

[BabyLove1]

I was thinking the same thing.


It's one of those "old wives tales" on how to get labor going - but I still wouldn't suggest temping it, especially if you're not full term yet - I know some women will try it when they're full term to get things moving but I think it had about as much success rate as the other old wives tales...

[Aelith]

No, I would not do that. I would think it would just confuse your body, messing with the natural order of things. Also, can't nipple stimulations cause early contractions?

This - you could end up in labor.

[Aelith]

It's one of those "old wives tales" on how to get labor going

It worked for me - not so much an old wives' tale in my case. I went into labor minutes after - right to contractions that were 5 minutes apart. I agree with you, though - I wouldn't tempt it - it could work!

[MommyShannon]

It's not just a tale, it really can cause contractions. Unless you have a risk of preterm labor, it's unlikely to put you in true labor which is why it is safe to still bf while pg. At the end when your body is getting ready for labor it can strengthen and helpnlabor along. After the baby is born, you will likely feel your uterus contract when you nurse as it's still shrinking down. I doubt pumping now woul actually yield anything though. My best advice for successfully nursing is forget about pumps, bottles, stashes, etc until 3-4 weeks PP. Just nurse on demand and take it as easy as possible. Dishes, cleaning, laundry will have to wait. Don't worry about getting out of the house by yourself, don't let DH feed the baby, don't skip a feeding at night and let someone give a bottle. All that can come later. For 3-4 weeks just nurse and get help from a LC as soon as you think there is a problem. Also, insist on nursing as soon as baby is born. They don't need to rush it off to the nursery to clean up unless there is a medical problem. The sooner baby gets put to breast, the more successful it will be.

[BabyLove1]

It's not just a tale, it really can cause contractions. Unless you have a risk of preterm labor, it's unlikely to put you in true labor which is why it is safe to still bf while pg. At the end when your body is getting ready for labor it can strengthen and helpnlabor along. After the baby is born, you will likely feel your uterus contract when you nurse as it's still shrinking down. I doubt pumping now woul actually yield anything though. My best advice for successfully nursing is forget about pumps, bottles, stashes, etc until 3-4 weeks PP. Just nurse on demand and take it as easy as possible. Dishes, cleaning, laundry will have to wait. Don't worry about getting out of the house by yourself, don't let DH feed the baby, don't skip a feeding at night and let someone give a bottle. All that can come later. For 3-4 weeks just nurse and get help from a LC as soon as you think there is a problem. Also, insist on nursing as soon as baby is born. They don't need to rush it off to the nursery to clean up unless there is a medical problem. The sooner baby gets put to breast, the more successful it will be.

Just wanted to say that I totally agree with the nursing ASAP comment... I had DD nurse as soon as I was cleaned up (needed some stitches so obviously had to wait for the doc to finish with me) and I think it really helped us be successful at BFing. That and I think it's a nicer transition for the baby - they've just been yanked out into the world, it's cold and they're unsure about what's happening. Being able to just hold her skin to skin and nurse seemed to really help calm her down.

[Rae_1478]

It's one of those "old wives tales" on how to get labor going - but I still wouldn't suggest temping it, especially if you're not full term yet - I know some women will try it when they're full term to get things moving but I think it had about as much success rate as the other old wives tales...

If it is an old wives tale, it's the only one my aunt (a delivery doctor) swears by. She will knock down every other method that isn't true, but I trust her on this one.

[KC's wifey]

Yeah, I don't think its an old wives tale either. The stimulation produces oxytocin which causes the uterus to contract... just like it does when nursing. That's why BFing helps the uterus shrink faster. I'm not sure how much stimulation is needed, and I think your body would need to be ready for it to help, but the science behind it seems sound, as opposed to many other methods.

No worries about preggo brain! We ALL understand that! (I sure do!) Congrats on your pregnancy!!

[babykenny]

Sorry for even asking this stupid question ladies! LOL PREGGO BRAIN 100%....:P
Don't worry - some of us aren't even pg and still find ourselves doing the same thing!!!! :laugh: