Wow I could never exclusively pump that would be such hard work! I could also never formula feed for the same reason. I'm very lazy and laid back. After that first two weeks once everything gets figured out, nursing is much easier than bottle feeding. I was nineteen when I had my lo and breastfed her until around my twenty first birthday (her birthday is two months before mine). Yes I'm young but I'd rather be tied down to my baby than a pump!
That being said, if you're able to exclusively pump, more power to Ya! As far as the health benefits of breastmilk, they don't go away but:
Bare minimum is two weeks to get all the colostrum and awesome antibodies from mommy.
Two months will have given baby a great start and a lower chance of childhood obesity
Six months of exclusive breastfeeding (or breast MILK feeding; some people don't think they're the same thing) in the USA practically makes you a super hero! It's set baby up for fewer allergies, less chance of asthma, and lowered risk of sids.
AAP recommends a year if you can. Definitely don't introduce straight cow milk until a year.
If you have to switch to formula or supplement at any point, that's okay! You're still an awesome mom!
I think once your baby is here the descision will make itself, your instincts will kick in and you'll know what to do. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do great
Thanks ladies! I'm really thinkin about it.. I'll have to think on it a little more. I just keep changing my mind lol.
Ik how you feel. I'm 20 and I feel like I haven't done enough in my life, but I've had way more life expirence than most people my age. Its scary and breast feeding sounds like it will force you to have no life. But its a great bonding experience from what I hear. I'm going to breast feed. But I'm going to use a pump occasionally so my bf can do some of the night feedings so I can sleep lol or so he can feed the baby when I'm working or at school. But if I'm around and can wake myself up I'm going to breast feed. No judgement here. You need to do what's best for you and your baby. Babies can sense when their mother is stressed and it stresses them out. So if you need to get out and have fun on occasion to keep from being stressed, go for it.
Breast feeding is a ton of work! Its easier to feed from the breast when your baby cries for it than to pump on schedule. If you are looking to exclusively pump for a few months.. I recommend lactation cookies and mothers milk tea. You need to consume almost double the calories and drink 3 liters of water or so. Oh and get milk bags so you can store extra in the freezer!