Breast milk is considered the best and unequaled source of nutrition you can give your little one. But once it starts, you may also begin to realize that exclusively breastfeeding requires a lot of determination, hard work, and effort. It’s not just the pressure of producing enough milk, but you also have to worry about your latching, breastfeeding positions, and how to treat your sore and aching nipples! With all these in mind, have you thought about exclusively pumping instead of breastfeeding?
What’s The Difference Between Exclusively Breastfeeding and Pumping?
Breastfeeding and pumping both do the same thing. They stimulate milk production and express breast milk through suckling. The good thing that they have in common is that they produce breast milk — the best kind of milk you can ever give your child.
However, many mothers choose to mix in pumping or exclusively pump for a range of reasons. Some moms have to go back to work after maternity leave, and the time apart from their baby means they need to pump on the job. In certain instances, a baby who has latching issues may force the mom to exclusively pump instead.
There are both good and bad sides to breastfeeding and pumping. If you’re deciding which one to do, take a look at the pros and cons:
Benefits of Breastfeeding:
- Builds an emotional connection and bond with baby. The act of breastfeeding is an exclusive bonding experience for the mother and the baby.
- It’s inexpensive. You really don’t have to spend much on breastfeeding. You’ll probably invest in a few nursing bras and nursing care products, but they wouldn’t cost as much as owning a special pump
- Convenient. Your breasts are readily available so you don’t need to be setting up anything if you’re baby is hungry.
Difficulties with Breastfeeding:
- Breastfeeding is challenging. Although many think breastfeeding comes naturally, it’s more of a learned behavior you discover over time. Breastfeeding pains and latching problems are hard to overcome sometimes.
- Breastfeeding in public. Sure, breastfeeding advocacy is at an all-time high. But still, many mothers find it uncomfortable to breastfeed in public. But the reality is, some moms buy nursing covers, go back to their cars, or worse — choose to breastfeed in a public bathroom.
- Help is limited. The effort to breastfeed relies only on you and your baby — and unfortunately, no one else. The help that you get can only be limited.
Joys of Pumping:
- You see for yourself how much your baby is feeding on. It can be quite difficult to tell if you’re able to feed them enough. Seeing how
- much your producing can be quite comforting.
- Your family can be more involved in feeding. Both family and friends can experience the joy of nursing your little one.
- Less breast and nipple pains. Some moms find pumping to be a more gentle experience, especially if their baby can’t latch right or is starting to bite.
Challenges with Pumping:
- It costs more. If you aren’t enrolled in the Affordable Care Act which entitles you to free breast pumps, you might have to shoulder the costs for your own. In addition, you still have to buy bottles, breast milk bags, bottle brushes, and other pumping equipment.
- Inconvenient. Lugging around your pumping equipment is just hassle. If your baby cries and starts to get fussy, it may take a while until you’d get to feed them through pumping.
- Some women stop responding to the pump. Just depending on a pump can leave with you lesser milk output. Some mothers report that they aren’t pumping as much they did in the start.
