Will pumping stop milk production?

Sorry if this is a stupid question...but i've been breastfeeding for about 4 days now..my milk started coming in saturday and sunday my breasts were sooo engorged it was terrible. anywho my question is will pumping on a set schedule make my milk supply eventually stop? The reason i'm asking is because I took my son to his first dr's appointment today and I told the doctor that I was having a lot of trouble getting him to latch on. (He latches on but only sucks for about 20 seconds then he gets really fussy and won't latch on anymore). The doctor said it was a bad idea to pump because it will slow down my milk production to where I won't be able to produce milk anymore. It sounded very ass-backward to me.. I thought pumps were supposed to help maintain milk production. I'm planning on going to a lactation specialist this week so maybe they will be able to help me. Anyone that pumped exclusively or just has any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!

Quoting marinemom:“ Sorry if this is a stupid question...but i've been breastfeeding for about 4 days now..my milk started ... [snip!] ... they will be able to help me. Anyone that pumped exclusively or just has any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!”

I was told that it will help if on a regular schedule...but you would prolly want to pump around the time your baby wants to eat

Pumping will keep your supply not make it go away.

Your doctor is correct. If you solely pump, your supply will eventually go down. The pump is not as effective as the baby at emptying your breast, which is what cues your body to produce more milk. If you plan to pump only, you have to stick to a very strict schedule. If he is having a hard time latching, try using a nipple shield. You can get them at Target or Walmart or BRU and they are lifesavers!

No, pumpingwill not make you stop producing milk, but it can cause it to slow some. I pump on a set schedule for my son, who is mixed fed. It took me a few days to figure out the best way to get the pump placed so that it would empty as much as possible out of each breast. The pump will never stimulate you to produce as much as baby sucking, but it will still stimulate production.

the more you pump the more milk you make.. atleast thats how it worked for me!!! i nursed then about one hour later i pumped.. i had enough to feed 3 babie plus my son!!

Quoting TheyShareMy♥:“ I was told that it will help if on a regular schedule...but you would prolly want to pump around the time your baby wants to eat”

That's what I do...After he latches on and gets a taste of the milk he just calms down and acts uninterested in it so I pump right after that and I get about 2oz in 5 minutes then feed him right away from the bottle.

Quoting Momma&MarineWife:“ Your doctor is correct. If you solely pump, your supply will eventually go down. The pump is not as effective ... [snip!] ... having a hard time latching, try using a nipple shield. You can get them at Target or Walmart or BRU and they are lifesavers!”

I think i've heard of the nipple shields..what exactly are they? I might have to try them..

sorry.. wrong topic, lol.

I pump only and have no problems. I do have to make sure I am pumping every four hours to keep my supply though.

Quoting marinemom:“ I think i've heard of the nipple shields..what exactly are they? I might have to try them..”

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2901997

These are nipple shields...they are saviors!

I exclusively pumped for the first month of my son's life due to latch problems. I actually had an over abundance of milk because I was pumping more at a time than he would eat (since I pumped both breasts at once). You should see my freezer...it is filled with frozen milk. However, I pumped every single time my son ate...that includes those 3 am feedings where all I wanted to do was go to bed. I feel that if you have a good pump and don't slack on it, your supply will be fine.

I have not had supply issues until now...because I have started back to work and cannot pump as frequently as my son eats. However, since I used to have an over supply, I am still keeping up with him for now. I still haven't used more than just a few bags of the frozen milk.

Quoting Momma&MarineWife:“ Your doctor is correct. If you solely pump, your supply will eventually go down. The pump is not as effective ... [snip!] ... having a hard time latching, try using a nipple shield. You can get them at Target or Walmart or BRU and they are lifesavers!”

That is not true. I have friends that have only pumped for the babys first year and did fine and never fed them any formula. As long as you pump every 2-3 hrs its fine.

Quoting darlenesmommy..:“ That is not true. I have friends that have only pumped for the babys first year and did fine and never fed them any formula. As long as you pump every 2-3 hrs its fine.”

Yes...if you pump that frequently, you can keep your supply up. Most people are unwilling to devote that much time to pumping..it's so much more work that just bfing!   I hate pumping, so I'm happy that I only have to do it at work!

I had to pump one side exclusively the first two weeks because he broke one of my milk ducts and there was blood in the milk. But that side out produces the side he ate on. You can successfully maintain or even increase your supply by pumping, especially if you pump and BF. I would wait to pump until after engorgement though, nobody told me not to pump in that period and I actually ended up producing too much milk and it caused some problems with a gassy baby because he wasn't getting enough of the fatty hind milk