Heather, Emmeline, and Charles~ Breastfeeding at Home in Salt Lake City

This is one of the most inspiring breastfeeding stories I've heard yet! 

Meet Heather and her adorable twins...

 

"My little Emmie and Charlie came to us via gestational surrogacy, meaning that they are our genetic children, but were carried by a surrogate mother. Nursing them has been an amazing experience - it has humbled me, challenged me, and rewarded me with the gift of knowing that even though my body could not nurture them before they were born, it can nurture them now.

"I gave birth to my older daughter, and although I never would have predicted it, we happily nursed for three and a half years. When I finally came to terms with the fact that because of medical reasons, I would not carry another child, I researched adoptive nursing. I was so moved by the stories I read, and I was convinced I would nurse any future children we had. When we discovered we were expecting twins, I knew I was in for the ride of my life. (And then I had to start researching how to breastfeed twins!) I used www.asklenore.com as my main resource, and took a combination of medicine and herbs. I also pumped during the last weeks of my surrogate's pregnancy. By the time the babies were due, I was pumping about 15 ounces a day.

"When my babies arrived, they spent their first hour of life nursing in my arms. It was amazing! After about two weeks, I realized that my supply had hit its limit, and we began supplementing with a Lact-Aid system. There are few things more humbling than trying to figure out how to simultaneously nurse two newborns with a nursing supplementer! I struggled with how to get them both fed, and also struggled with recurrent plugged ducts and mastitis.

"Now at 7 months, I am so grateful for this experience. I know that nursing my little ones has provided them with health benefits, but it has also meant the world to me as I have bonded with them as individuals. I am grateful for the quiet moments I find with them as they wake up from their naps, I am grateful for the times I can soothe a bump with some milk, and I am forever grateful for the knowledge that my body is providing them with something that only I can give them. Nursing these babies has been what has made me their mama." ~Heather, mama to Emmie and Charlie, both six months old when photographed