I am due in Feb '13 and am planning on breast feeding strictly by pumping. My reasons are so my husband and friends/family can feed our son and also because we (especially me) are un-comfortable with a child latched on. Sounds weird to some people but it's just how we feel about it. I am wondering the success rate with feeding strictly from pumping. I am imagining my son eating every 2 hours or so and having to pump enough in between feedings or while he is being fed and not having enough. I have plenty ++ of time off so that isn't an issue. Maybe I'm just overthinking it all?

I am a SAHM so it was pretty easy to pump. I got sick at the two week mark and had to stop so my milk stopped. But other than that it worked for me. It's better with an electric pump than a hand pump!!

You'll be pumping more often than you would be feeding. Every hour for about 30 minutes then every 2 hours at night.
You can try, and if you stick to it kudos. But that's a lot of sleep and time with your baby missed.

Should have made. A both option

Yea I have a Medela electric pump with the attachable bottles and storage lids etc etc

I've had friends who strictly pumped and said it was a nightmare. None of them breastfeed anymore. Strictly pumping can actually dry you up and is very physically exhausting.

A. itll take you twice as long to feed kid
B. A pump doesn't get milk out like a baby will
C. Most women cannot exclusively pump. Thier milk dries up quickly
D. You're going to have to wake up around the clock, even if your kid isn't hungry, to pump

I commend you if you can do it, but it makes life so so so much harder

That pump will almost be constantly attached to your boob. It is a complete nightmare. It takes so much longer to get a sufficient amount of milk through only a pump than it does by sticking baby to breast.

I have a few friends that exclusively pumped. They said it was definitely no walk in the park. One friend that i know of had to be put on meds to help keep her production.

I pumped with Olivia. I dried up after 3 months. I was devastated. Planning on strictly breastfeeding this one!

Quoting Kelly&Coralie:" A. itll take you twice as long to feed kid B. A pump doesn't get milk out like a baby will C. Most ... [snip!] ... the clock, even if your kid isn't hungry, to pump I commend you if you can do it, but it makes life so so so much harder"

This! I know a woman locally who has exclusively pumped for almost a year due to her son's health issues (he phsyically can't nurse) But she has to nurse every 2-3 hours for 45 mins a time around the clock just to meet his needs (nothing left for extra) and still uses donated BM from time to time if she's short. Per her---it's lots and lots of extra work--actual nursing is much less hassle.

Strictly pumping sounds like a nightmare... Feeding from the breast is soo much easier. Also, some women can't even pump enough. I can barely get a half ounce out.

There is other ways for your child to bond with your family.. besides feeding.

I had no choice but to exclusively pump do to my son being a preemie. that lasted all of 7 weeks before I had to supplement with formula. the pump does not work like a baby. it is exhausting. as I said I didn't have a choice because my son didn't learn to latch for 2 months. it's been a horrible experience. nothing like my last child who I breastfed for 14 month no bottles. but hey if you think you can do it go ahead. best of luck

So if this doesn't work out is it so horrible to substitute formula in once in a while if I can't stick the the breast milk 24/7, whether because of not having enough or what be it.

I hated pumping!! The pumps (I tried 3 different) never got anything for me. When he would be on boob he got so much more I would finally feel relieved. To each their own when it comes to the latching thing but I would kill to have made breast feeding work out for us. It's a wonderful time for mommy and baby which I truly miss. You will have to work at it. Make sure you get up threw the night to pump and even when daddy is feeding you need to get up to pump. It's difficult but not impossible wish the best for you guys