Ok, another question for the moms who exclusively pump...

How many oz. a day, on average, do you pump? I don't know if I am getting too little or too much. I've only had my milk in since Friday, and I have been averaging between 27-32oz. a day. That's with pumping every 3-4 hours.
Next question....how long should continue pumping every 3-4 hours? When will I be able to switch to less frequently (not that I'm doing much else these days, I consider pumping my new hobby ).
Also, do you measure your baby's milk intake by ounces like you were formula feeding or by dirty diapers like a breastfed baby?
Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just not sure! TIA!

Re: Ok, another question for the moms who exclusively pump...

I'm jealous! I wish I could have pumped that much then maybe I would have continued. That is awesome that you can pump so much. I was only able to get about 9 oz in beginning and the most ever pumped in one day I think was 14oz but I only pumped 3 times a day.

I'm not really sure how the measuring of the oz. goes because I only gave him 2-3 bottles a day. I would think you would go wet diapers but I could be wrong, only because you dont know how much they are getting when you breastfeed and they say that with formula they are to have no more than 32oz a day. I think if you are going to continue pumping then you might need to pump that often until your supply levels off but again I am not 100% sure. By the way your daughter is adorable.

Message edited 6/20/2006 1:26:38 PM.

Re: Ok, another question for the moms who exclusively pump...

I would continue to guage her intake by wet diapers - I suspect that if you guage it by how many ounces she eats per day you'll become neurotic because it will vary per day depending on sooooooooooo many factors and you don't want to make yourself a nervous mess on the days she doesn't eat as much. As long as she continues to have sufficient wet diapers it should be ok...

Edited to add - 27-32ounces per day is absolutely AMAZING for this early. Be prepared though, for the first 8 weeks your supply will wax and wane as your body adjusts. Some weeks you'll have an overabundance and some weeks it will feel like you don't have enough. As long as you're pumping between 27-32ounces if you have any extra, start freezing that liquid gold!

Message edited 6/20/2006 1:32:34 PM.

Re: Ok, another question for the moms who exclusively pump...

Righty ho...

You must remember that in the beginning, when your milk comes in you have positively OOODLES of milk! In the beginning I would pump whenever my boobs got filled up, so that was like every 3-4 hours. You need to be careful not to overstimulate your bosoms...which is probably what you are doing! Pumping was totally my hobby in the beginning also, I was totally numbers (oz) driven!!

I would start now with a pumping schedule, so for instance, I pump at 9ish, 5 pm, and then at 11...however if you did that, you would be in engorgement city lovie! Michele can probably help you further with a schedule at this point, or ask a LC to help you. My LC said that this was a common schedule. ANYWAY, if you are pumping LOADS, which is great...build up your freezer supply.

I pump (and I have been pumping for 5 and a half months now...) maybe 12 oz in the AM, another 12 oz at around 5 and 6-8 at 11 pm. I am very tired at the moment and this is causing my supply to dwindle a bit, so I think I might start (gasp) supplementing with formula!!!

I measured his intake by oz, didn't care about dirty diapers etc...

Again, FM me with any questions! Keep up the good work!

Re: Ok, another question for the moms who exclusively pump...

Thanks girls. I am going out to get myself some freezer storage containers today. I guess I've already put to bed my fears about not being able to feed my daughter!

Re: Ok, another question for the moms who exclusively pump...

Sounds like you are doing a great job I exclusively nurse but pump occasional like on the rare occasions she sleeps through the night We got Lansinoh freezer bags and are happy with them.

Re: Ok, another question for the moms who exclusively pump...

The amount you are getting is spectacular. I am still getting that good amount now, 8 weeks into it. Keep up the good work. I think that since your supply is so good, you can probably go to every 6 hours and still get the same amount. I just don't have time to do it more than every 6 hours, so that is what I try to stick to. Some days it stretches to every 8 and my supply stays the same.

As far as how to gauge how much your baby is eating, I have always used ounces because it is easier. The information for newborns says anywhere from 19-30 ounces per day. I can tell you that in the beginning, my DD was not taking 19 ounces. I didn't worry because she was still gaining weight and seemed satisfied (not hungry). In the beginning, she was only taking 2 ounces every 3-4 hours. It quickly went up to 3 ounces, and then to 4 ounces. She is still at 4 ounces every 3-4 hours. Don't worry if there are some days when she takes a bit less. There will be other days when she takes more and it all kind of evens out. I really believe that they have days when they are more hungry than others, just like we do.

I like the Lansinoh bags the best.