Supermum Heather Esplin is a familiar face at the baby intensive care unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Not only has she been spending 11-hour days there since her youngest son Owen was born more than 11 weeks early, but each and every one of his seven brothers and sisters was premature, too.
Although he was not due until November 21, Owen is seven weeks old this Saturday and could be well enough to join the rest of the family at home in Kirkton in a matter of days.
Now tipping the scales at 3lbs 10oz, he weighed just 2lbs 7oz at birth and Heather (35) admits she was scared when the latest addition to her family decided to make his appearance more than two weeks earlier than any of her other children.
“I had actually gone into labour at 26 weeks but they managed to stop it and gave me steroids to help his lungs,” said the mum of eight.
Owen was eventually delivered at 28 weeks, six days.
As with all her children Jolise (17), Conner (12), Tamara (9), Imogen (6), Dana (5), James (3) and 22-month-old Robyn Heather was determined to breastfeed him from the start and wasn’t about to let the little matter of an incubator and some wires get in her way.
“I just wanted to do what was best for them,” she said.
“Breast milk is definitely the best for them and it’s easier for their stomachs to digest.
“I come up just after seven in the morning and stay until five or six in the evening, so I can get four feeds in during the day,” she explained.
There is no let-up during the night, either, as she gets up to express milk to ensure a supply for Owen when she is not around and any he does not need is dispatched to the milk bank in Glasgow to help other babies whose mothers can’t feed them.DedicationHeather’s dedication has won the admiration of staff at Ninewells, where she has become something of a poster girl for the benefits of breastfeeding.
“She has been so inspirational and is just a fantastic advert for breastfeeding,” said midwifery team leader Linda Arnot, who has known Heather through six of her pregnancies.
Expectant mums at Ninewells are invited to take part in a monthly quiz and prize draw to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding and as luck would have it Heather’s name was pulled out of the hat this month.
Presenting her with a baby hamper yesterday, Linda said, “It was just chance but we were all absolutely delighted when we realised Heather had won because she is such a great advert to show how easy breastfeeding can be.”
Heather is adamant that Owen will be her last baby.
“I said that last time, but I mean it definitely this time,” she laughed.
“We had planned on four children but we just get surprises.”
Fortunately, her husband Alan (42) is a joiner and has just built a three-bedroom extension to accommodate their growing family.
Although Owen has already been introduced to his siblings, the hi-tech surroundings proved a little overwhelming for the younger children and Heather is looking forward to returning to normal life with her whole family around her.
“I just can’t wait to get home, though the people here are great, absolutely brilliant, and they always take the time to speak to you,” she said.
Heather also paid tribute to her eldest daughter Jolise, who has looked after the younger children while she is with Owen.
She remains unassuming about her heroic efforts to provide the best start for Owen, but admits, “It is rewarding to look at him now.”