Do I need to pump while in the hospital?
Typically if everything is going well with breastfeeding, you will not have to pump during your hospital stay
However, there are situations in which pumping would be recommended in the immediate days following delivery:
You are separated from baby and are not able to breastfeed directly (baby ends up in the NICU)
Baby is 35 or 36 weeks or younger (even if baby is latching on to the breast, triple feeding is recommended as preterm baby’s are typically not able to transfer an entire feeding on their own). Triple feeding means breastfeeding, pumping and bottle feeding every feeding.
The medical team recommends supplementing baby (with donor milk or formula) for any reason - low blood sugar, jaundice, not pooping or peeing frequently enough, higher than expected weight loss, etc.
You are using a nipple shield for most or all feedings (nipple shields are a great tool but can diminish some of the stimulation the nipples would experience without it - pumping 3x/day is the recommendation when using a nipple shield to prevent damage to supply)
If you have decided to exclusively pump - pumping or hand expressing should be initiated within 2 hours of delivery (preferably 1) and should continue every 3 hour
Do you have to bring your own pump to the hospital?
The hospital you deliver at should have a pump for you to use! It will typically be more powerful than the pump you have at home with a setting that mimics a newborn feeding at the breast. These pumps are ideal the first few days postpartum to help establish a good milk supply.
Another great way to remove colostrum is with hand expression! This can actually be more effective than an electric pump at removing colostrum. I recommend trying hand expression before or after a pumping session! If you don’t know how to hand express, ask the nursing staff! They should be able to show you how to do this!
THE TAKEAWAY: you should be pumping if baby is getting food elsewhere (donor milk or formula) for any reason!
