Two babies, two breasts - perfect…
We’ve nailed it!
Oh yes indeedy. There’s no looking back - I’ve put the Cow and Gate Organic firmly in its place (the larder, though the bin was calling) and sent the hired mint green milking machine back to the chemist (to be met by an astronomical bill: £80, have now bought myself one on eBay for £12, oops…) and we’re off, plugged in double-wise in front of the telly every time the girls lick their pretty 8 week old lips.
Being plugged firmly into my hungry pair feels far more satisfying than being sucked at by a pair of lifeless funnels on that machine I can tell you, and the ladies do love it. Oh yes.
For anyone else out there attempting the same? Don’t give up (unless you want to; that of course is completely allowed). And if you want some help? Email me. Text me. Call me. Come over, hell, move in… I’ve had so much help myself, I’m 100% willing and ready to give a load back. I mean that.
And this would be the point to mention (mention? Herald!) Sally Inch and Chloe Fisher at the John Radcliffe Hospital’s small but world class breastfeeding clinic. These are two of the most dedicated (yet underpaid) specialists in their field of infant feeding - a pair of amazing women I am truly privileged to have met, and certainly couldn’t have done without.
They willingly offered me two patient days of support, wisdom, excellent humour and homemade orange cake; having turned up a wreck believing myself possibly beyond repair I left a competent breastfeeder. I made a remarkable week’s progress in the space of each single day.
I’m very happy about all this. It was worth it. When they look in my eyes and give me two milky smiles at the end of a big fat feed, the struggle of the last eight weeks is a distant memory.
Bring on the next hurdle - I’m ready!