Confession: I Have Never Pumped

Most people would assume that in the combined total of four and a half years that I've breastfed my children, I would have done some serious pumping in my day. But, I've never even once pumped. I don't even own a pump. And truthfully, those pump things kinda scare me.

I've always just kept my babies and toddlers close by, and since I stay at home, I have found that it's just easier (lazier?) to put them to the breast than offer a bottle. And bottles... we've never owned one of those either. Sometimes I've thought it would be very wise to at least keep some formula and a bottle here for an emergency, but I just have never done it. Thankfully we've never had a crisis come up. But anyway- back to this pump thing. I'm not asking for a pat on the back because I've never needed one. I am actually in awe of those of you that do pump day in and day out. Now that is devotion. And the things I hear that your pump says to you while you do it... this fascinates me.

This past June, Chicago Moms Bloggers Amy, Arianne, & I attended a one-woman show featuring comic Amy Wilson at Improv Olympic in Wrigleyville. She's a mother to three children under five years old and was definitely entertaining. Our tables were stocked with bowls of goldfish crackers and animal cookies- and children were welcome in the audience.

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, there is a clip from the show you can watch here. It was one thing for me to be a little afraid of that contraption you hook to your boobs, but now they are making them hands-free and whoa... I think I'll take it one step at a time. My next baby is due in just a few more weeks. I haven't decided if I'll give a pump a try- just to say I did. We'll see how brave I can really be.

Original Chicago Moms Blog post. Stephanie also blogs and breastfeeds at Adventures In Babywearing.

Comments

[Shannon]

Hmm, I'd say pumping is definitely an experience you can live your life without.

[Erin]

Honestly, if you don't have to pump, consider yourself blessed! I pumped for six months when I returned to work, and I hated every single second of it. In fact, I spent the time pumping mentally cursing my pump.
That clip is hilarious--and so true! I would get SO excited over a good pumping output.

[FireMom]

I only pump one bottle per week (as an emergency leave behind) for when I get Wednesday evenings "off" to attend Bible Study. And that's enough pumping for me.

[TheAngelForever]

You truly are blessed to have never used a pump. With my first son I pumped to feed him for 3 months until he finally learned how to latch on using a shield. Double mastitis forced me to try this two days after his birth. With my little guy I pumped for a about six weeks and then he started to nurse like a pro. I have not used a pump since February and likely never will again. They are a pain to use, but a blessing in disguise.

[Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home]

I tried pumping before years ago with the first babies, but I haven't owned or used one in years. I just keep the baby with me. I can't imagine dealing with all the hassle of cleaning and sterilizing everything. Why make a simple thing complicated?

[Megan]

Lol! I am pumping right now! I read blogs while I pump at work. I've been pumping now for 3 months since returning to work and I plan to continue for at least 6 more. It's not easy and I hate every minute but it's well worth it!

[Elizabeth]

I pump every night to make me more comfortable, but my baby's never had a bottle. I just love the feeling of having all that milk stored up in case she ever needs it. Paranoid? A little.

[Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart]

I'm so very not fond of the pump. I'm borrowing an electric one so I've used it a bit. My husband enjoys the option for date nights and such. But, I must admit, I'd rather never use it. I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to keep up with pumping if I had to work full time. It is just another reason I'm extremely grateful that I get to stay home.

I loved that clip.

[JessicaAPISS]

I'm right there with you. I received a pump from my husband's AWESOME work pro-breastfeeding healthcare policy, but I never used it. I just used, um, me. I too found/find exclusive breastfeeding convenient and easy. And a privilege, as I know that I am very fortunate to make the personal choice to stay home.

When the kids turned 13-15 months and graduated from me to sippies of water, whole milk and juice, I put that pump and the bottles and nipples in a big Tupperware container. Maybe someday I'll have a preemie or a situation in my family in which I will need it. What a great invention!

[Veronica MItchell]

I had to pump every day to increase supply for my second daughter, who refused to accept a bottle ever. For 10 months I spent an hour every night pumping, and then poured the milk down the sink because she would not drink it. It was the longest 10 months of my life.

[casual friday everyday]

I pumped. My husband and I are just so darned selfish and like to get out on our own. LOL BUT, this time around I'm really thinking of not pumping or having ANY formula in the house. That way when I have a weak moment there isn't another option...I have to nurse. We'll see how that goes. ;)

[Tasha]

I am currently pumping for my 2 week old who is a very aggresive sucker and has cracked my nipples to the point of blood dripping. I still want him to have the breast milk so I pump every 2-3 hours just for him..Hopefully one day he will be able to latch on without hurting his momma...

[Marketing Mommy]

As the primary breadwinner in our family, I had to return to work and I chose to pump so that both of my daughters could be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months.

Unfortunately there are a lot of women who also must work but whose jobs are not as flexible and accommodating as my cushy office gig. Can you imagine having to pump while working in a fast food restaurant or at a factory?

I'm sure you know how blessed you are that you haven't had to strap on the hated horns or resort to formula because of many businesses' (and our government's) lack of support for new moms.

[Beth Blecherman]

An ex-boss of mine did a great job of juggling career and family. When she went on business trips, Grandma babysatt. And she actually figured out a way to "pump" - then pack ice packs and send FEX EX to her baby... It worked... That is advanced pumping...

I did the cow thing when I had twins and had to pump between feedings just to keep my milk supply up and allow someone else to feed one while I breastfeed the other (double breastfeeding did not always work... don't get me started on that..). My brother is a doctor and when he saw me double breastfeeding at the hospital he said he has never seen anything like it!

But I say if you don't need to pump - why bother? But if ya do - it really is not as scary as it looks...

Stephanie you make juggling a band of kids look easy! Keep us posted!

[Crafty Mama]

I bought the nicest manual pump I could afford with my daughter, and she refused to take a bottle. So when my last son was born (long after the pump had been passed along), I skipped the pump to struggle with nursing a child who was too busy to nurse and would rather have had a bottle.
You can't ever be prepared. I've given up on that long ago.

[Sheena]

If I had to prepare formula bottles, I don't know what I'd do. I'm so glad that I grew out of the "breastfeeding is disgusting" stage. I have a hand held and electric pump. The hand held, I've used on the road when I couldn't nurse. The electric, I've used a few times to prepare for when we have had to leave Jay with family (most recently, when we moved). I have some just-in-case formula, but I'm going to freepeats.org it. I also thought it would be smart to pump and freeze for emergencies...just haven't gotten around to it! Electric pumps sound like they are sending subliminal messages when in use, but physically they aren't that bad on the girls!

[Suezette]

I ONLY ever pumped. My first on had a hard time with latching on--thankfully I had bought a great electric, dual pump because I was going to have to go back to work. Boom. Hooked up the pump and never looked back. All breast milk, all bottle! a great combination :-) With my second daughter I tried a bit of the breast, but just went with what we knew--all pump. I loved my pump set--hands free attachement and special compartment for storage, very efficient!

[Suezette]

I ONLY ever pumped. My first on had a hard time with latching on--thankfully I had bought a great electric, dual pump because I was going to have to go back to work. Boom. Hooked up the pump and never looked back. All breast milk, all bottle! a great combination :-) With my second daughter I tried a bit of the breast, but just went with what we knew--all pump. I loved my pump set--hands free attachement and special compartment for storage, very efficient!

[Karen Putz / DeafMom]

I didn't have any luck with pumping so I resorted to expressing by hand. The nice thing about that was that I never had any equipment to clean. :)