Breast Possible Taste

by Shelley White
^{(creative writers at MoreWriting)}

My sister Isla and her partner Rory called the baby Frankie. Frankie, perfectly formed and healthy, weighed in at 7lb 2oz. His fluffy blond hair, as soft as swan's down, fuzzed in all directions like a misshapen halo.

While in hospital, Isla managed breastfeeding reasonably well. She had plenty of help from the nurses and Rory and I were there as much as possible to support her. When mum and baby arrived home, however, things proved a little more difficult. I rang Isla to see how she was coping.

"How's it going, sis? Is Frankie all right?"

"He cries a lot. I think he's hungry but I'm struggling to feed him myself."

"But I thought the breastfeeding was going O.K."

"It was - in the hospital. It's different now we're home."

I could tell by the catch in her voice that she was on the edge of tears. "Look, I'm coming over. I've been through this twice, remember, and I want to help. Give me ten minutes."

"Thanks, Katie, that's a relief. I'm worn out with it all."

Isla opened the door. She looked dishevelled in her dressing-gown. Her eyes were sunken and her hair hadn't been brushed. "Frankie's asleep now, thank goodness," she said.

"Good. Come on. Relax in that armchair while I make a drink."

Isla flopped into the chair with a heavy sigh. Once she took a sip of her favourite strawberry and banana smoothie, she started to perk up a bit. Five minutes later, we heard Frankie crying. Isla struggled to get up.

"Stay there, Isla. I'll bring Frankie to you."

I took Frankie out of his cot. "What a sweetheart," I said, laying the baby in Isla's arms. "That dimple in his chin is just like Rory's."

"I know. He's the image of Rory. Of course Rory's thrilled. He's just gone into town to get some photos developed and buy some bits and pieces."

"Oh. Isla, you seem quite relaxed now holding the baby. Let's see how you get on breastfeeding him."

Isla undid her Winnie the Pooh nightie and put Frankie to her breast. "In hospital, they advised me to hold him this way, so he'll be able to swallow comfortably," she said, making sure his head and body were in a straight line.

"That's right, Isla."

"I discovered that more or less straight away."

"Yes and hold him nice and close. Try to support his neck, back and shoulders. He should be able to tilt his head back easily. He shouldn't have to reach out to feed."

"He's not getting much of my nipple, though," Isla tutted.

"I think that's because his nose isn't directly opposite your nipple. He needs to get a big mouthful of breast from underneath your nipple. That's right - now his nose is level with your nipple."

"Heck, he looks like he's going to cry again." Isla sounded weary.

"Isla, relax. Wait till he opens his mouth really wide with his tongue down. Try this little trick of mine to encourage him to do it: gently stroke his top lip and quickly bring him closer to your breast."

"It works!" Isla's hazel eyes brightened.

"You're a star, Isla. His head's tilted back and he's come to your breast chin first. He's got a big mouthful, so your nipple must have gone towards the roof of his mouth."

"He seems to be feeding well now," Isla said looking relieved. "His first few sucks hurt a bit, but now it's fine."

"Good. See that dark skin round your nipple?"

"Yes?"

"Well, you should see more dark skin above his top lip than below his bottom lip."

"I can. Aren't his lips sweet, Katie?"

"Just like a miniature version of Rory's - only sweeter! Look at his cheeks, Isla. See how well-rounded they are while he's sucking? That's another sign he's feeding well."

"I feel loads better about feeding him now."

"Plus he's taking lovely long sucks and swallows, very rhythmically. Another good sign."

"Oh, no. Why's he just stopped?"

"Don't panic. It's normal for a baby to pause sometimes."

"I thought something was wrong."

"Nothing's wrong, Isla. That's quite normal. When he's finished the feed, he'll come off your breast on his own."

"When should I give him the other breast?"

"Let him drain that one completely before you offer the other one."

"What if he doesn't want that one?"

"No problem. Just offer that breast first at the next feed."

"The next feed?" Isla's voice rose an octave. "He's feeding so often, I feel like a milking machine."

"Sometimes you feel like that. It's only natural for newborn babies to feed so often. Don't forget how small their stomachs are. Feeding regularly in the first few days stimulates the breasts to produce milk."

"But he wants feeding practically every hour."

"That's usual, Isla. It's the baby's way of dealing with it."

"I follow you, Katie. I guess I'm just feeling tired at the moment."

"What you should do is try to rest while Frankie's asleep. Eat well to keep your strength up. Rory's helping with the baby, isn't he?"

"Yes, he's changed nappies and done some housework. He adores Frankie."

"You picked a good one, there. Don't forget my offer to mind Frankie if you two want to go out."

"I've not forgotten. Thanks Katie. Not for a while, yet, though."

"All right and when the time comes, I'll show you how to express your milk - that means squeezing milk from your breast - so I'll be able to feed Frankie while you're out."

"That's so kind, Katie. Maybe Rory and I could go for a meal."

"Good idea. Now how's that baby doing?"

"He seems to have finished now."

"Lovely. Look, I'll change him for you and put him back in his cot. Then I'll make a cuppa. You relax."

As we drank our tea and munched on digestives, Isla's brow furrowed. "Something else bothering you, hon?"

"How do I know if Frankie's getting enough milk?"

"Isla, I'm sure they must have advised you about that when you were in hospital."

"They probably did and I tried to take it all in but you know what it's like."

"'Course. Now don't upset yourself. Frankie seemed content and satisfied after you fed him, didn't he?"

"Yes, but only because you were here."

"Rubbish! I used to work myself into such a state when I was breastfeeding my first. If everything wasn't perfect, I worried myself sick, but it's not unusual and it's nothing to get het up about. I was much more confident with my second."

"But he doesn't look much bigger than after he was born, so I'm not convinced he's getting enough milk."

"Isla, give the wee thing a chance. He's only a few days old. In a couple of weeks, he'll still be healthy and gaining weight."

"I suppose you're right."

"I am, you'll see. Oh, and another sign he's getting enough is his nappies."

"His nappies?"

"After the first few days, he should have at least six wet nappies a day and at least two yellow poos."

"He's got that already."

"That's good. I don't know why you're worrying."

"You know what I'm like."

"I do, but honestly, there's no need. The more you feed Frankie, the more milk you'll produce. Give him formula milk and it'll reduce your supply."

"I won't do that."

"Good because that might increase the chance of him getting an infection."

"Yes, I remember reading something about that in a leaflet they gave me at the hospital."

"Isla, you'll be fine. Try to chill more. You're doing a wonderful job."

"Thanks, Katie. I'm going to try to feed Frankie for as long as I can."

"Try to breastfeed him for the first six months of his life because it has all the nutrients he'll need during this time."

"What about after six months?"

"He'll need more than breastmilk alone can provide. You'll have to wean him."

"Will that be difficult, Katie?"

"Not at all. You start to introduce a range of non-milk foods gradually until he's eating the same as you and Rory."

"Should I still breastfeed after six months?"

"Wait and see how you feel but babies need breastmilk alongside solid food from six months until they're at least one year old."

"So what happens if I decide not to breastfeed after six months?"

"You should give him formula milk till he's twelve months. As he eats more solid foods, the amount of breastmilk or formula milk he wants will decrease."

"Can I give him cow's milk from six months?"

"Cow's milk isn't suitable for babies under a year old - after a year, it's fine."

"I've got lots to think about."

"You don't have to worry about it now. Take each day as it comes. Remember, don't hesitate to ask for help."

While I was in the kitchen making us a drink, I heard the front door open. Rory tiptoed into the hall, laden down with carrier bags. "You're just in time for coffee, Rory."

"Great. Shopping's thirsty work," said Rory giving Isla a hug. "I've managed to get everything on the list, Isla. There's something you'll like in that bag."

"Chocolate brownies!" drooled Isla. "Scrummy."

"And Frankie's fast asleep now, so we can all relax," I said, handing out the mugs and plates. "You're a very lucky girl, Isla. You know that, don't you?"

"'Course I do!"