Does pumping all the time vs actually breast feeding change your milk production?
Generally speaking, actually breastfeeding your baby produces more milk because your baby is a perfect siphon pump for your breast. However, if you have a hospital grade pump, you can produce enough milk for 2 infants to be completely bottlefed with breastmilk the first year. Some moms of triplets have also had enough for feeding a third, but as time went on, usually supplementation was needed. Again, this is because baby is a better siphon. This info is from a local Moms of Multiples groups and their individual experience. In answer to Mommy 3+1: I don’t know about the poster’s plans, but many babies are born premature and won’t take to the breast by the time they are released (nipple confusion). There are also babies and women with medical problems where pumping is a better solution.
Most lactation specialists recommend that you allow your child to suckle at the breast as often as possible to keep the best milk supply. Your baby is much better at pulling your milk down. Think of your baby as a professional and the pump as a clumsy amateur. Now, with that said, my good friend pumped all the time because she said that her daughter didn’t latch on correctly. And she was able to pump for months. So if you have to pump instead of allowing your child to nurse at the breast, do what works best for you. But for your milk supply, baby beats pump hands down.
