Can I give breastmilk without breastfeeding?
You can give breastmilk to your baby if you choose not to breastfeed. You can use pumped breastmilk to feed your baby. If your baby is premature, you can pump and store your breastmilk until your baby is ready to breastfeed. It does take more patience, time and supplies to pump, store and feed breastmilk, but the benefits to you and your baby are many. Start a pumping schedule right after your baby is born to build your milk supply. Newborn babies usually nurse often, 10-12 times or more in 24 hours. Pumping at least 8-12 times a day will stimulate your breasts to establish an adequate milk supply. For best pumping results, use a hospital-grade electric pump with a double collection kit. Pumping time is usually 10-15 minutes with this type of pump. Click here to learn more about expressing and saving your breastmilk. Your pumping schedule should closely follow your babys feeding schedule. This will help your milk supply to increase to meet your babys needs as he grows.
