Can you pump while pregnant?

Is it okay to start trying to pump milk at 36 weeks pregnant?

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Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. Can you pump while pregnant?

No… you can hand express but do not pump. It can cause you go into labor early

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Why would you want too?

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I did… I started at 36 weeks with a manual pump… did not go into labor and got induced at 39.5 weeks. Ended up with over 100oz to start too!!

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I’ve never heard of anyone doing it with a first pregnancy but I know many mothers who breastfeed toddlers while pregnant with their 2nd or 3rd babies. But the colostrum only lasts a few days to a week or so. That’s the richest part of the milk to give to the baby after its born.

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I started pumping and hand express at 36 weeks and had no issues.

I would say no. The baby needs the colostrum that your breasts produce right after delivery. I feel that pumping while pregnant could interfere with this. I would talk with your dr.

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You can hand express and freeze collustrum in syringes - just take them with you by hospital. Check with maternity ward if they have a freezer too.

It can put you in labor

I think colostrum is produced at labor. Just be sure that your baby Will be receiving it. It is precious.

My mom Had back to back kids & breast fed each kid till the next was born, I’m 35 weeks & ive already got a stash started

I’ve heard of it too but I would definitely ask your provider… stimulation has been said to cause contractions.

your milk comes naturally 3-4 days after delivery.
Don’t do it. Let your body work.

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I’ve read almost everywhere that stimulating the nipples is bad lol but apparently a lot of people on here are saying it’s fine. I just would ask your dr not fb.

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I think that it is not recommended, but if you need to, you need to. My daughter has had to pump a couple of times but has saved it of course and has put it in the freezer. She is trying not to as she is having a difficult pregnancy and has already had to stop labor once.

When your nipples are stimulated (by a baby, or by a breast pump) a hormone called oxytocin is released. Oxytocin causes the breast tissue to contract, resulting in your breastmilk letting down. This hormone also stimulates the uterus to contract. The concern with pumping during pregnancy is that these uterine contractions might trigger pre-term labor.

Your doctor will best know the answer.

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I would get professional advice. It will only be colostrum not milk as breastmilk doesn’t come in until after the baby is born

Pretty sure the stimulation can bring on early labor… ask your OB

I wouldn’t unless you’re ready to go into labor. 36w is too early I think. I wanted to do it with my rainbow but I wanted to get the ok but my appt at 37w4d said they wanted baby that day so I had baby that day instead

If you wanna start labor sure go ahead :woman_facepalming:

No … You will get leaky stuff & it may get crusty - wash it off … WAIT TILL BABY ARRIVES !!! Your baby will need all of your ever so magically *perfect colostrum when it is born … Feed it on demand & do not place restrictions on it … It will need ALL of your colostrum, then ALL of your “first milk” that only comes in for the first 2weeks - it’s higher in fat & contains EXCELLENT nutritional benefits - then it will change - the first milk is different just like colostrum is !! Our milk actually changes about every 3 or so months after the initial colostrum then first milk … Pump & save/ freeze starting about 2 weeks after birth & you will have a stash of EXCELLENT food for your baby ! Rotate milk as needed when using …

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No it may start premature labor.

My dr said nothing before 38 weeks

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No it can induce labor

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You’d be waste your colostrum. Your baby benefits from that

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No when you give birth your body produces hormones that stimulates milk production. I’ve never heard of anyone trying to pump BEFORE having the baby :face_with_spiral_eyes:

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Unless it’s been okayed by your doc I wouldn’t. It could cause labor to start, though for me personally it did nothing when I was trying to get my major to progress :joy:

If you’re leaking you could wear some kind of milk catcher that doesn’t actually pump anything but catches what leaks to save for baby.

I was told no with my twins because I was so high risk and pumping can start labor. I was super full and miserable too.

You shouldn’t no because it can cause you to go into labor

No. It won’t do anything for your milk supply, your milk only comes in a few days after baby is born, so I’m not sure why you’d want to pump now anyways.

Not the best plan. Just wait until baby arrives you have enough to prepare for let your body do that job :slight_smile:

Not really. May cause contractions!

Wait for baby! You can go into labor early

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For me, I did, caused no problems… it was my 3rd child and the only child I was able to fully breastfeed & he was a caesarean birth.

If you’re worried speak to your doctor first.

My doctor told me that you don’t actually start producing milk until baby is born. Colostrum may come earlier but your actual milk won’t so I wouldn’t worry about pumping now.

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It could trigger labour… however I tried to trigger labor at 39 weeks by doing it and nothing happened lol

I would say no, save the colostrum for baby!!

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Could induce labor. All you would get is colostrum and not much of it. Wouldn’t really be worth it

Save it in the freezer
I did it and it didn’t take long after he was born for my milk to come in. I started at 36 weeks

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No, pumping causes your uterus to contract and will put you in labor.

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Milk production won’t start until baby is a few days old. You’ll be pumping colostrum which is what your baby needs those first days and even then you won’t get much. It also puts a risk of going into early labor. Honestly there isn’t a real reason to start now. Just wait for baby.

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I started at 38 weeks. Caused a little bit of cramping I’d say but that’s it. Wasn’t getting much at all

You may get some colostrum but your milk won’t come in until days after baby is born

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Nope. Not until after baby is born. Baby needs that first colostrum right away and baby’s saliva when they latch will help transform the milk to meet their exact needs.

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No. Not worth the dangerous irregular contractions. Plus you don’t even have milk yet. Maybe just colostrum

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Absolutely not. Drs wouldn’t recommend it!

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Save that colostrum for the baby​:100::100::100:

NO!!! And even pumping too early once baby gets here can cause overproduction.
Pumping while pregnant can send you into labor. Plus no milk to pump right now anyway

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That’s more of a question for your provider

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I wouldn’t. Your milk doesn’t come in until after the baby is born and its very important for the baby to have the colostrum when he/she is first born. Also, pumping before labor is known to cause contractions that will induce labor. I tried but actually didn’t work for me as far as causing labor so my son was still late but it did work for my sister. Everyone is different but to be on the safe side I’d say wait. Good luck♥️

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Nope cause it’s start to give you contractions

I didn’t pump but I hand expressed to help with engorgment before I had my daughter :slight_smile:

If you look into colostrum harvesting it is perfectly safe from 36 weeks. It does cause your uterus to contract as some have said but doesnt always induce labour.

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YESSS, it’s safe starting at 36 weeks. I would still get the okay from your doctor. But like said above, it’s called colostrum harvesting. You can save it in little syringes. You also could try getting collection cups to wear and catch any that you may leak.
Many diabetic women harvest their colostrum so they can give it to baby if baby is born with low blood sugar.

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Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. Can you pump while pregnant?

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I wish I could pump and breast feed. Baby #2 and still no sign of milk :pensive:

If your milk has came in already, I can’t see why not. But it might be tricky if it hasn’t yet

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Why would you? Breast milk is specifically formulated for your baby’s gestation. For example a Woman who gives birth prematurely has a higher fat content of milk to meet her baby’s needs.

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Unless you’re Already feeding and providing milk for Another baby then yes… If this is your first baby then No!!! Pumping early before you’re ready, can cause premature labor and risk you and your baby. Don’t do it.

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No! Don’t do that. Wait until baby comes to start pumping!

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My doctor said no because nipple stimulation can bring on labor. Maybe closer to delivery to encourage labor.

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Talk to your OB/Midwife or whoever you have overseeing your pregnancy. Pumping while pregnant can stimulate early labor and create complications if you aren’t ready to go into labor yet.

How long would it be good for? Can you stock up?

Milk doesn’t come in right away. You get colostrum. Which is formed for your newborn then your milk will change with your babies needs.

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Just a warning mama nipple stimulation can cause early labor

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I would wait until your baby gets here. You want your baby to get that liquid cold as fresh as possible.

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Unless you’ve been told by a midwife to start pumping then no, it can induce labour.

I was told by my doctor I could start pumping at 38 weeks, but no sooner because nipple simulation will induce labor. I was leaking milk like crazy, and had about 5 ounces before she came (at 38&3). It came in handy because she was in the NICU and it was pure colostrum.

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I wouldn’t as it can cause contractions

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I would definitely wait till your a bit further along as nipple stimulation can induce labour I was given the go ahead to start at 38 weeks definitely check with your midwife or doctor first

Depends if you were already nursing if not you won’t get enough of anything to be worth the risk of inducing labor

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Would not advise it
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Yes so it! Safer at 37. Great way to save some colostrum and put yourself into early labour if that’s your goal.

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Unless you’re already breastfeeding another child and producing, NO. It can cause contractions and labor. Plus when baby is born they need that colostrum in the beginning, not so much milk. There’s a reason your milk comes in after colostrum.

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No not this early. Can kickstart labour and your too early still mama :heart:

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I was told not to because you want that colostrum, also it can induce labor and you want baby to stay as close to 40 weeks as possible. But it’s best to always ask your doctor these type of questions.

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No it’s dangerous. You will go into labor and won’t feed your baby what they need if you pump.

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Don’t do that. That baby needs the colostrum that you’re going to produce at the end/right after birth.

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Nipple stimulation is a labor induction method, so I would hold off.

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I was advised by my OB to not pump til after my baby is here. But every OB might have a different opinion! My mom& SIL’s said to not pump til I’m closer to having her& if I want her to come earlier(like 38-39 weeks)

Maybe ask your OB about hand expressing your colostrum….

If you plan on breastfeeding I wouldn’t. That golden milk(colostrum) is whats best for baby when they are born :heart:

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I did a breastfeeding class at 37 weeks, they suggested hand expressing if for some reason your baby will be born early or you know you’re having a small baby that may need extra nutrition so to hand express and store it
But pre birth you’ll only be able to produce colostrum and it’s too thick for a pump to get any out
I was told by a midwife only to use a pump if you’re trying to induce labour because it can bring on contractions

I started at 37 weeks with my dr. Approval, my oldest almost went to nicu due to low blood sugars and my milk wasn’t coming in fast enough. I expressed my concerns of it happening again with my baby #2. Dr. Stated I was ok to start collecting and saving colostrum because of prior history, baby already was estimated to be at a good weight in case labor came early, and because we wanted to avoid NICU

I would wait to feed the baby the colostrum.

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If you are trying to induce the labor yes. However i wouldnt recommend that either. Breast pumps come with a warning that explain the radio frequency that each device has when plugged in and turned on. Fiber optic rf is a very dangerous thing for babies. Honestly, i think you should wait. Toward the end of pregnancy the excitement makes wanting to prepare seem exciting, but relaxing as much as possible before you go into labor is probably better for both you and your new baby.

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I was told not to pump until u give birth.

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No. It’ll induce labor.

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No way should you pump milk before giving birth. The day you give birth your milk doesn’t even start

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No, you will not have any colostrum left, which is highly important for your baby. Plus, as everyone said you would go into labor.

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Why would any mother want to give her newborn frozen colostrum if they can feed it to the baby fresh?

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It’s always better fresh right from the breast if you need to pump it I myself would wait until my baby was born then do it. What is the rush are you freezing it as well? It is way easier to breast feed then to pump and bottle you do not get much milk and it takes forever.

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ladies i’m sure there is no rush she just asked a simple question. she could be a new mom and not know everything yet.

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it’s best to wait. my milk came in on the 2nd night after giving birth. He ate off the colostrum the first few days and latched easily

Its depends. Are you tandem breastfeeding? Some doctors will want you too take a break from the breastfeeding when you get to a certain point till after the baby is born. If its your first baby, there really is no need to pump before the baby is born, all that will come out is colostrum anyway.

Nipple stimulation could causes labor so I wouldn’t do it until you are further along at least 39 weeks+.
Also like others are saying you would be pumping colostrum which is very beneficial for the baby after birth

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You can hand express colostrum at that point with doctors ok

A pediatrician told me pregnant women can breastfeed with no problem. It’s better you can consult a doctor just to make sure.