Not sure if I'm the best to ask...
I don't exclusively pump, but I work full time and pump while I'm gone. My DS is 3.5 months old, and here's how our pumping schedule usually goes:
He sleeps through the night, so I always wake up very leaky. I nurse him on left side and pump right and always get at least 5 ounces, usually 6. Then I double pump at lunch and typically get 8 ounces total, sometimes 9. Then I nurse left and pump right when I get home and usually get another 4, for a daily pumped total of at least 17 ounces in three pumpings.
He gets three bottles while I'm gone, and his usual intake is 10-12 ounces. So I average 5 extra ounces a day, which I freeze. I plan to donate it to the milk bank, but have also spread the word through my local La Leche group that I'll gladly give some to anyone who needs it. I have almost 100 ounces in the freezer right now.
I have no idea if the amount of milk he drinks is typical of a baby his age, he is moderately underweight because of some health problems, but it appears that his slower weight gain isn't at all due to an inadequate supply on my part! I make more than enough milk, and if I were to get more serious about pumping, I could easily build my supply up even more.
I've found that hydration effects my supply pretty quickly...if I notice a drop one day, I just concentrate on drinking more plain water and I see it pick back up almost immediately. Stress is a big supply dropper, so I never sit down to pump unless I know I'm calm. I also often distract myself while I pump by talking on the phone or reading the news...anything to make me less likely to stare at the output to see how much I'm pumping. I also make sure to pump "drip to spray to drip plus about 5 minutes". If you think your supply is dropping a bit, add another 5 minutes, as long as it isn't making your nipples sore.
Good luck!! You're doing a wonderful thing!
Mama to Ian (3-17-05) and Connor (3-3-07)
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