Patricia,

You asked about long term pumping in lieu of breastfeeding.  A woman in my
practice who had the flattest nipples I'd ever worked with - looked as though
they were painted on - was unsuccessful breastfeeding her first  baby.  He
suffered from severe allergies and when baby #2 came along she was determined
to breastfeed, or at least give EBM to her baby.  We were able to latch the
baby well several times (two against one) but she was not able to alone.  So
she went on to pump exclusively - no breastfeeding - for over a year.  The
second baby never had the allergy problems his brother had and mother was
happy with her "breastfeeding" experience.  There  have been a couple of
others that pumped rather than breastfed, but I beleive she held the record
for long term endurance.

Best Wishes,
Gretchen Andrews IBCLC, LLLL
private practice, Redland, California