Why is it harder to exclusively pump than to do both- pump and breast feed normally?

[snowbany]

Why is it harder to exclusively pump than to do both -  pump and breast feed normally?

[SherriPie]

Because with pumping, you're doing double duty:  pump then feed.  With breastfeeding only (or in addition to pumping), you can sometimes just nurse without pumping AND feeding.

[ardiaxe]

I pumped and breastfed for the first 7 months and then went to EP after that. Pumping was much easier for me. So what is easier is very personal. I didn't like breastfeeding so of course pumping was easier for me, so much easier in fact I will probably continue until my daughter is 2 :)
I don't like when people make it out to be this miserable task that they can't wait to be done with. It's difficult, but so is breastfeeding. It's a commitment regardless of what is more difficult and it's one of the most important commitments you will ever make for your child. The best part is, it's all temporary and I remind myself of that every day.

[Bethbeth]

 You can either

ep: pump, bottle feed, then wash bottles and pump parts. Then repeat. In addition to that routine you have to buy a lot more things, when you go out you have to take milk, your pump and pump parts, you have to find somewhere to pump.

nursing....you don't just nurse and your done. You don't have to buy anything. don't have to wash anything, don't have to take anything with you when you leave the house.

[FLmommy0204]

Also, since baby is more efficient than the pump, he/she is a good supply booster which means you have a good chance of pumping more than you would if you just pumped.  But it depends entirely on the mom, though. 

[CourtneyCS]

My guess is the supply problems I never minded pumping but starting at 12 months I had a decrease in supply and I can't seem to get it back. I think knowing what I do now for my next child I will do both instead of just pumping.

[ardiaxe]

Quoting Bethbeth:

 You can either

ep: pump, bottle feed, then wash bottles and pump parts. Then repeat. In addition to that routine you have to buy a lot more things, when you go out you have to take milk, your pump and pump parts, you have to find somewhere to pump.

nursing....you don't just nurse and your done. You don't have to buy anything. don't have to wash anything, don't have to take anything with you when you leave the house.

With nursing you have to find an area in public that you are comfortable nursing at, deal with stares and annoying nursing covers (if you use one), wonder if you are giving your baby enough because you can't see what baby is getting, count diapers, get bit when teething, nursing strikes, constant leaking (breast pads were out once I started EP). Pump after nursing if supply dips, and getting woken up many times at night to pop your boob out so you can nurse with no hubby help at all! I just find pumping easier lol, but of course it's only my opinion and experience.

[snowbany]

I attempted to breast feed with my last son, but gave up. My recovery from my c section was really rough so I couldn't add any more pain... that is why I would like to use just a pump this time...

Quoting ardiaxe:

Quoting Bethbeth:

 You can either

ep: pump, bottle feed, then wash bottles and pump parts. Then repeat. In addition to that routine you have to buy a lot more things, when you go out you have to take milk, your pump and pump parts, you have to find somewhere to pump.

nursing....you don't just nurse and your done. You don't have to buy anything. don't have to wash anything, don't have to take anything with you when you leave the house.

With nursing you have to find an area in public that you are comfortable nursing at, deal with stares and annoying nursing covers (if you use one), wonder if you are giving your baby enough because you can't see what baby is getting, count diapers, get bit when teething, nursing strikes, constant leaking (breast pads were out once I started EP). Pump after nursing if supply dips, and getting woken up many times at night to pop your boob out so you can nurse with no hubby help at all! I just find pumping easier lol, but of course it's only my opinion and experience.

[kelly617]

I honestly do not agree with that statement at all.
I found breastfeeding from the tap a miserable experience. It was painful for me and it would take dominic at least an hour to get enough milk. On top of that I was the only one that could feed him, so anytime he needed food I had to stop what I was doing and feed him...its hard when you're going on almost no sleep and you haven't eaten and need to pee, but you know before all of that he needs to eat for an hour.

Pumping, at least for me, is awesome. I can pump and get 2 feedings worth at once and it only takes about 20ish minutes. And when I feed him he seems much happier, it takes him about 15 minutes to eat and he's full and happy. So honestly pumping takes a lot LESS time for me than bf'ing ever did. And the best part is now daddy can help and I can get some sleep!!!

[corrinacs]

Actually, I found it harder to nurse and pump at the same time....its easier for me to EP.  LOL