Pumping before delivery??

[ZEWatson]

Hi.
Just after some opinions really. I am planning to breast and bottle feed, I am fairly experienced in the subject in that I'm a NICU nurse, but this is my first baby of my own which is obviously very different to being in a clinical setting. I have been hand expressing since (just before) 36 weeks as my boobs are super leaky. I express 10mls per time and I've now run out of syringes. I was wondering whether I could go on the pump? I already have a pump and storage bags, all my current syringes are in the freezer...what do people think? I'd like to get a good supply before baby is born. I'm 37 weeks now.
Thanks 😊

I’d stick with hand expressing personally.

Also, unless you’re at high risk of complications, you don’t really need to build up a stash before the birth. You’ll be able to gather some excess once your milk comes in after a couple of days, but realistically you’ll be best off settling in to a feeding / pumping routine once baby is a few weeks old and you’ve settled in.

Also, I’m not sure how scientifically reliable this article is but it sounds logical…

www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/is-pumping-while-pregnant-safe/

I wouldn’t rush ahead with pumping. I think it could be counterproductive. The best way to establish your supply is through feeding your baby. The colostrum in the early days benefits them. Your body will respond to your baby’s needs while you establish a latch, which is where you might need support.

You can’t pump until your milk comes in, which won’t happen until after the placenta is out. Colostrum is too sticky to pump and the quantities aren’t worth it. Baby needs tiny amounts at a time so you’ve probably got enough now.

A NICU nurse told me to pump on day 2 and the midwives were aghast at the ignorance.

You 100% can pump before baby is born. Every woman's milk is different, so maybe some colostrum is too thick? I know several people who have successfully pumped prior to delivery, I was mostly just after people's opinions. In regards to pumping on day 2 post partum, I guess it depends how much milk you're hand expressing, if it's only drips at a time then going on the pump isn't going to be very beneficial, some mums are hand expressing vast quantities on day two so going on the pump does work. Every mum is different 😊

It's not recommended to pump prior to delivery as it can bring on labour, as other's have said you'll only have colostrum at this point anyway so whilst that's lovely to have lots to give baby when they arrive, it won't replace the milk they'll need once your milk comes in x

If you've got colostrum that's great.

I'd ease off now as your milk changes composition after delivery and baby will need different things then to now.

I also wouldn't use a pump just yet as your risk over supply which could risk mastitis.

I combi fed, best advice is to establish your supply and the breastfeeding first. Focus on that as that's the bit that takes work.

Offer baby an oz or so every day in a bottle at a time that suits you. For the first 6 weeks or so focus on breast first though.

From my experience (1 combi, 1 EBF) if they are going to take a bottle they will. Despite introducing a bottle to my youngest in the same way as eldest she hated them. It was just easier to feed her myself than Fanny around with bottles just because.

I don't think so because I believe it would be better to give your baby first colostrum straight from the boob. Milk comes in a few days after baby is born, but it's the colostrum the baby needs at first.
Better to keep the timings in synchronisation.

I've actually never heard of pumping before baby is born before. You learn something new everyday.

Thanks, that's really helpful 😊

Thanks.
However, is it bad to induce Labour at this stage? I'm 37 weeks so theoretically baby is ready ? I'm doing other thing like eating dates etc to 'encourage labour'.

I saw someone once say that NICU nurses can have a skewed idea of when a baby is ready because if you're used to seeing babies at 27, 31 weeks old etc then a 37 week baby seems huge and so developed. But those last 3 weeks are still really important for brain development and things, they're better in than out at this stage even though they would be OK if they were born now.

That is true, although only half of babies that come to nicu (especially surgical units like ours) are actually premature. I've looked after babies from 22wks to post term. I guess in my head 37 weeks is 'the time' for baby to come, when actually she might not be ready for another 5 or 6 weeks if left to it. Thanks 😊

Hi @ZEWatson I collected colostrum in syringes before my first (was an ELCS at 37+2) and they were a lifesaver when we had latch issues due to 100% tongue tie (I think I took 22 syringes in with me which the midwives considered to be a lot!)I had to then pump for several weeks while we got sorted with latching after the tongue tie was sorted. I believe I gave myself oversupply which i then had to deal with 🤦🤦🤦. This time (ELCS two weeks tomorrow) I'm planning to take the syringes again - going to start collecting this evening - but will leave the pump alone unless I really need it!

Awww that's good to hear. I only really starting expressing because she was breech until a few days ago and I knew a section was a possibility. We must be due around the same time 😊

@ZEWatson I was booked for the ELCS at 20 weeks due to previous section and tokophobia but it turns out I also seem to just grow breech babies as this one is also breech 🤷.

Mine were 10-12 days overdue. I wouldn't be in a rush to encourage labour at 37 weeks.

10mls per time is a lot. I think it sounds like you might potentially have an oversupply so I would not do anything to encourage more as it could cause more problems.

However I am not a breastfeeding expert, just a mum. You could try contacting an IBCLC and see what they suggest? If you're really keen to breastfeed then it is usually worth having one on hand just in case anyway and if you've got question mark oversupply, then you might need some specialised support as some of the "standard" advice might not apply in your situation.