Usenet Writings

Pumping So Dad Can Feed Baby

©1994 Beth Weiss, Posted to misc.kids.pregnancy Usenet newsgroup, February 13, 1994

I wrote this in response to the idea of a new mother pumping breastmilk so that the baby's dad could the newborn a bottle.

My reaction: not on your life!!!  (no smileys)

Pumping can be very hard to get the hang of (it was for me with my
firstborn, who is now 2.5).  There was no way that I would pump just to let my husband "experience" a feeding (or two or three or four).  He fed our son for the first time at about 3 weeks, and not again until 3 weeks later (testing bottles and pumps).

It might take me 40 very unpleasant minutes to pump enough milk for a feeding--I certainly wasn't willing to do that when the baby was right there with me and could feed directly from the source.  Obviously, some moms find pumping to be very easy, and they might well pump a bottle for dad to feed, even if mom is home--that just wasn't the case for me.

Certainly dads need to bond with the baby, but feeding is only one
aspect of infant care.   He was actively involved in diapering, in bathing (and showering after about 6 weeks), in playing "run run" with his legs, photography, and general adoration, as well as keeping me company while Jordan nursed.

Before pumping bottles for dad to give, I'd be careful to be sure that milk supply is well established and that the baby is nursing well, and then, I'd be on the watch for signs of nipple confusion.  Some babies don't have any problems with switching from bottles to breast, but some do, and it pays to watch for early signs.

Good luck--whichever way you go.