Yes—and sometimes, hospitals even recommend it if baby isn’t latching well or if you want to start building your supply. You probably won’t get much at first, but even a few drops of colostrum are golden.
If you’re separated from your baby or want to increase supply, pumping early can help. Just make sure your flanges fit properly and be gentle—your boobs are still figuring things out too.
Also: pumping can feel super mechanical at first. But you’re not a milk machine. You’re a powerhouse doing what you can.