How soon did you ladies start pumping? I want to start but don't want to take away from what my LO is getting and also don't want to cause engorgement...
@wynbird, pumping won't take milk away from your baby. there is ALWAYS milk. so even if you pump before nursing, there's still milk. but there most likely won't be any foremilk (which is okay. foremilk/hindmilk imbalance is a myth) the only thing "bad" that comes out of pumping is creating an oversupply, which has a whole host of issues. and that only happens if you respond very well to pumping and pump A LOT. once or twice a day will barely change your supply usually.
@taylorrleee1, your babies saliva communicates with your body telling your body exactly what type of milk it needs. so if your baby is getting sick and you nurse your body behinds producing antibodies in the milk to pass over to the baby and stop that sickness in its tracks. pumping doesn't effect that though. you're body still produces the same formula of milk until babies saliva tells it to change.
I haven't had experience yet but I took a breastfeeding class and she said it's best to wait at least 6 weeks to pump that way your body is used to your baby's schedule and your milk supply is up enough. there are certain things (can't remember what she called them) in your babies saliva that will make your milk just how baby needs it and when that a breast pump doesn't have so it could throw that off if you start pumping too early. hope this helps a little bit :)
I have a newborn and my milk came in the day before yesterday I pumped and now I have way more milk it won't affect it baby still latches on perfectly as well