Just wanted to pass along a couple of local resources who have helped me out in the last few weeks.

The first is Cindi Freeman, a lactation consultant in Cary. Nursing started out pretty well this time around, but then got complicated and I ended up with some lingering issues (I'd go into it more, but you just don't want to know). I'd seen four or five other lactation consultants, who said my latch was textbook, and gave me all kinds of advice. None work. Cindi steered me to a doctor who could help and then guided me in other areas (if you hate your pump, try hand expression. Once you get the hang of it, it really works).

And the Bra Patch in North Raleigh came through again with a bra that met all of my stringent specifications in a size that actually fit me (we're talking 32J which is very hard to find). I had looked all over for something and finally heard about a company called Royce Lingerie in the UK, which had my size and made all cotton, wireless nursing bras. Ruth, who owns the Bra Patch, actually ordered some samples from the company, including one in my size. I picked it up this week and I love it. I believe she plans on carrying the line now.