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My sister has been breastfeeding her two week old son. So far, everything is well. She has enough milk to keep Baby L satisfied, and Baby L has now grown accustomed to wailing to mama when he needs sustenance.

My sister came to me and asked, if it was OK to use a breast pump other than to relieve her breasts of engorgement. She actually thought of pumping milk so that: 1. her husband can also feed the baby, so that hubby wouldn't feel left out; 2. sleep longer (since she doesn't have to stand up and feed the baby since hubby is doing it); 3. she can leave the baby with sitter/relatives for more than 2 hrs; and 4. to get some work done.

However, people around her are giving contradicting advices. The midwife advised her that if and when she uses the pump, her breast would produce more milk, hence increasing the risk of breast infection and engorgement. Others on the other hand, are advising her not to use the pump, since it would decrease milk production. Two contradicting advices leads to a confused first-time mother.

I'm not quite sure with the second advice, based on experience, I had enough milk to feed by first son until he was 8 months old. I actually had more than enough and I had to use the pump to relieve my breasts from too much milk. I advised my sister to use the pump if she needs to, otherwise just breastfeed, since it would encourage more bonding time between her and her son.

Click here to read more about the advantages and disadvantages of breast pumps.