This week’s story will be a difficult listen for some, but such an important story to share. I’m talking to Claire-Michelle Pearson about being a ‘Snowdrop donor’ at Hearts Milk Bank after the death of her son, Rupert. We’ve split the episode into two parts. Part 2 is about her milk donation journey and the birth of Rory, her five-month old (and we do make a reference to other losses more briefly.)

Claire and her husband Russell tried to conceive for several years before she conceived Rupert. Everything seemed to go well with her pregnancy, but tragically, Rupert died during birth. Having heard of milk banks during her pregnancy, Claire decided to donate her milk when it came in, and ended up donating for over six months, helping many babies and families in Rupert’s memory. She also took part in Hearts Milk Bank’s ‘Connecting Hearts’ exhibition. Claire is currently breastfeeding her son, Rory.

You can follow Claire on Instagram at @‌love_bertie_bear

Contact Hearts Milk Bank via their website https://humanmilkfoundation.org/hearts-milk-bank/donating-after-bereavement/

For support after losing a baby:

Sands | Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.

Saving babies' lives | Tommy's | The pregnancy and baby charity

My new picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.

You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.

Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com 

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.