We went to our first peds appointment a couple of days ago - DOL 5 and he's gaining back weight, bilirubin is down, but my milk supply still isn't good. My ped wants me to breastfeed every 2-3 hours (on Parker's schedule) for 10-15 min per side with a nipple shield then offer a bottle and finish pumping my breasts. I started that yesterday.
I would be a little concerned about this advice. I agree with the PP that if he is latching well, I would drop the shield (unless you are using it because of the sore nipples). I used one with Amy but its a total PITA and I wouldn't do it unless you really need to. And as long as you use one, you need to pump after every feeding. I've BTDT and it is soooooo awful!
Also, since he is gaining weight and the bili is on the way down, why does the ped still have you doing the supplemental feeds? The more you supplement, the less he breastfeeds directly and the harder it will be to bring in your full supply. The pump is a poor imitation of your baby and the more you can breastfeed directly, the better off your supply will be.
And nursing every hour is normal newborn behavior. That's how they bring in your milk and establish your supply. A breastfed baby needs to nurse in order to bring in your milk. Its pretty unusual, IME, for a newborn to go 2-3 hours between feeds. I know thats the typical NICU schedule, but that's not what a typical exclusively breastfed newborn does.
Hang in there. It really, really does get easier, but the first few weeks can be soooo hard.
Beth, mom to older DD (8/01) and younger DD (10/06) and always missing Leah (4/22 - 5/1/05)