Emily

END

So, if you’re breastfeeding, or you have in the past, then hats off to you.

#notallheroeswearcapes but quite a few of them wear nursing pads

So, not only have I fed and nourished my own babies, I’ve probably fed and nourished dozens of other sick and tiny infants around the region.

The way our feeding journeys have evolved means that I’ve needed to pump too, and from that I was able to become a milk donor for the Human Milk Bank in the Midlands.

And then they grab a handful of flesh and you realise you haven’t trimmed their nails this week…

It’s hard work. It’s exhausting. It takes SO. MUCH. TIME. And it does shift a large part of the load on to the feeding parent.

It can feel never-ending, and it can be so indescribably lovely, looking down at that little face as their soft sweet hands pat around your face while they nurse.

From the middle of the night feeds, to the middle of Tesco feeds, feeding in a car park or during a slimming world meeting, feeding at the Commonwealth Games or during our friends’ wedding in Windsor Castle, there are very few places I won’t whip out a boob to settle my baby.

That said, neither of them have made it easy, both needing medical formula to support their growth, and a LOT of hard work from both them and me, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Colour image of a white Woman breastfeeding while sitting in a chair in a wood panelled room.

Black and white image of a white woman breastfeeding while sitting on a bed.

Colour image of around a dozen plastic breast milk storage bags filled with frozen expressed breast milk.

Long thread incoming.

This is NOT critical of those who feed their baby formula.

It’s the end of another #worldbreastfeedingweek and it always prompts a bit of reflection. I am so proud of being able to feed both my children. No 1 fed until nearly ten months, and No 2 is still going strong.

That poor girl. I hope someone kind can find her and help her this evening.

Rainbow Etchells (22) is MISSING AGAIN •. X Maryhill Police reluctantly released Rainbow at 11:10pm last night at Buchannan bus station- alone, vulnerable and without money, phone, ID, bankcard, bus ticket or buspas. This was on the advice of Newcraigs hospital, Inverness. Because apparently even though Rainbow was reported to police by strangers- because she was begging them to kill her, this is not grounds for detaining someone. She was last spoken to at 1am, using the phone of a passerby. She was suicidal and we believe is at risk of serious harm and that she intends to harm herself. Only sharing this information publicly, because Rainbow has been let down by all the services involved and we just really need to find her so we can get her to a place pf safety. She is vulnerable and at risk, regardless of what has veen officialy documented. Even the police officers concerned have stated so. Please can Glasgow folk especially in the city centre keep looking for her and get in touch with me or police if you see her. She hasn't eaten for 2 days, according to what she told US. We need to get Rainbow home before something tragic happens!

This young lady has had something awful happen and her mental health has suffered. I was asked to share by a friend, who ran the Brownies she went to years ago

I suppose the beauty is that she doesn’t actually know how long it is until Christmas…

I’m so sorry, and I hope the next phases go as smoothly as they can for your family. I know you know this, but it’s ok to want to just be her daughter and not be Dr Daughter x

I had to tell my MIL her mum was dying, and that the 1-2 years time frame she loosely had in her head was more likely to be weeks than months. Within four weeks she’d gone. It was a hard conversation but I’m so glad I did as she had time to prepare.

I can’t imagine having to do it for your sister.

a woman in a hallmark drama says " oh rats " ALT: a woman in a hallmark drama says " oh rats "

I had to crack out the old parenting chestnut of

“RIGHT! If you keep on like that I’m calling Father Christmas and telling him you’re not to have presents this year”

It’s 5th of August. I think I peaked too soon.

If this were an analgesic being used for a condition that primarily affects men then there is NO WAY climate change would ever be mentioned or considered as a downside to the drug.

which makes for a nice little bottleneck.

This is the stuff which makes “you knew what you were getting into when you started” slightly less easy to accept.

I was getting a bit mardy until I read your last sentence. Different specialty, but I’m worrying about finding a job when I CCT in 2y. Hiring freezes, cost of living means fewer retiring, plus our college helpfully restructured training so instead of everyone finishing at ST8, some CCT at ST7

Not seen: the pile of patients sitting on eachother just off to stage left.

Excellent work, mate. Good luck in the next post!

More importantly- congratulations on reaching the end!

That’s just made me do some totting up. I’m on 22 and still another 18months to go. I think you’ve got me beaten.

See? Double paediatrician approved 👍🏻

I don’t profess to be remotely perfect but realistically my kids will have a balanced diet. Veg balanced with cardboard crud. Aiming for mostly unprocessed but accepting that I’m human and that sometimes you just need chips.

In a big medic mum chat the other week I sent this:

I think this one is a classic of the genre. Got no ET tube? Just use a suction catheter!

Also a big fan of waiting til it’s all done and dressed, they’ve told me they didn’t feel it / given me a score out of ten, then I tell them

“Cheers! That wasn’t bad for my first go, eh?”

Obviously you judge it based on each kid, but I’ve always had a surprised giggle from any kid I’ve said it to.

I tell ametopped kids “right, have you any brothers or sisters? Yes? Ok, so at some point you have either pinched or been pinched. The magic cream means you’ll feel me touching & holding your hand but it won’t hurt. If anything you might feel a little pinch and that’s it. Ok?”

And usually they nod

Bronze is an absolute superstar.

A fractured tibia all tournament! What an absolute machine.

Lots of love, Rob. I’m sorry.