I believe it was June who asked recently about the
correct quantity of milk a mom should be pumping for a
premie.
There are dozens of factors that feed into this, but
please let us not forget that the pump is not a baby. 
I often explain to moms that we are trying to fool the
body into thinking that the baby is there stimulating
it, and the milk is a bonus.Some things we need to
know:
is this a first baby?
How soon after birth did mom start pumping?  How many
times the first day?  At night, too?  If not, when did
she start pumping at night?
What kind of pump is she using?
Is she eating during the day?  Does she have any
appetite?  Is she drinking?
I am a lactation consultant and LLL leader with lots
of experience with moms who pump for all kinds of
reason, and pumped myself for a 25-week premie almost
20 years ago.  I usually suggest that moms not spend
more than 15 minutes with a pump at one time.  Because
you can hurt yourself if you do-not just the nipple,
but back in the ducts.  I also suggest that moms can
try: pumping at the hospital in front of or with the
baby, hand massage before pumping, pumping frequently
for slightly shorter periods of time (like the
"cluster pumping already described),  visualization,
and keeping a piece of the baby's clothing close while
pumping.  They also may want to call the hospital to
check on the baby or keep a picture of the baby in
front of the pump. 
Let us not forget that pumping for a premie, and as a
matter of fact just having a premie, is hard work,
added on to the other duties of a mom.  Milk yield
often decreases when there is "bad news" from the
nurses, when the mother is not sleeping or eating
well, or due to other stresses.  Skin-to-skin care,
and some mothering of the mother can help, but this is
a tough issue.  And honestly, while we can discuss
"optimal yield" on day 10, it varies so much that it's
important that we stay optomistic with the mom and
continue to encourage her in her efforts. 
Best of luck to your mom
Ellen Kadden, M.A., IBCLC, LLLL
and mom to 3 grown up, no longer breastfeeding children

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