ve done both--- breast feed and pumping. To be honest,
breast feeding only
hurts in the beginning and really only did with
my first son who latched incorrectly at first. My nipples got very sore. But then once he was latching properly, it was fine. It never hurt with my second son.
Pumpking doesn't hurt but isn't exactly comfortable either. It's really kind of strange until you get used to it, this machine pumping your nipples. I didn't love pumping but did it.