Breastfeeding someone else's baby?

[Genna]

This may sound strange... But I am wondering if anyone has done this, or your thoughts on it.

Thank you ladies!!

 

[Pyrrhic]

There was a program on channel 4 about this, you may be able to watch it online? I think it was called 'Other People's Breastmilk', but I'm not sure.

It's not something I would ever feel comfortable with for me and my child, but the attitude that breast feeing someone else's child is wrong is very much a modern and western train of thought. In some communities children are very much raised by a family, or community of women. In the past in england, people employed wet nurses to care for their children.

 

[Genna]

Thank you, I'm wondering because I can remember ( I remember so much from when I was itty bitty) my mother breastfeeding a close friends babies (while I was still BF). It's not something I think I'd be comfortable doing with someones baby I didn't know... But with family and stuff, I don't think I'd mind doing it.

I am only asking because recently my nephew, Ethan was born, about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and every time I hold him he searches for a breast! It's the cutest thing and I didn't think anything of it until my brother said once I had my baby and produce milk I can feed him. Ethan's mom also said I could BF him too, mainly because it'll be convenient because mom and Ethan are living here and i'll be watching Ethan once mom goes back to work. I have no idea if I'm actually going to do it, but I just wanted to know what others thoughts were on it

 

[Serene123]

Each to their own. I'd never let someone else BF Caitlyn, and I don't think I could BF someone elses baby. Not sure.. Never really had to consider it.

 

[TashaAndBump]

I wouldn't mind being a wet nurse...

But I absolutely no way would want anyone else to breastfeed my baby!

 

[Serene123]

I'm seriously thinking about this now... I think I would do it for family, but no one I didn't know.. But then I think that's more, I wouldn't expect them to feel comfortable with it.. Hmm..

 

[Pyrrhic]

I think if your brother and his OH have asked then you could consider it. Most people who have issues with co-feeding have them because they don't want someone else feeding their child, however your family are ok with this. I think it is more acceptable if it's a family members child, but it's still something that a lot of people would feel uncomfortable about regardless of who's child it was.

I think if it's something that you're interested in then you should definitly watch that channel four documentary.

 

[Genna]

I wouldn't feel comfortable with someone else BF my bubs either, but this never even crossed my mind until my brother mentioned it... hmm.

 

[Pyrrhic]

On another note, if a baby is born needing special care then sometimes they can be given donated breast milk. Most people don't seem to have an issue with this, but again it's someone else's breast milk.

 

[Genna]

I'll look into that program, sounds interesting!

 

[TashaAndBump]

I wanted to donate my milk to the london neonatal milkbank, but they wouldn't accept it as I have had a blood transfusion

 

[Genna]

awe, that's too bad, but how thoughtful of you!

 

[JennTheMomma]

I know a few people who fed their friend's babies when babysitting, and vise versa. They were all fine with it, but that was over 20 years ago for them. We have wet nurses at our hospital and birthing center, along with milk donation. Not everyone feels comfortable with it though, espically about the bond the baby could make with the wet nurse. To each their own.

 

[Lucy&Pard]

I wouldnt let someone else breastfeed Leo but if there was a poorly baby who would benefit from breast milk and their mother asked me then I would!

 

[masi]

I watched the channel 4 doc, it was really interesting. I don't think i would be comfortable with it either way, but as i have never been in a situation that would require it then who knows. Wet nursing was popular before formula was invented, because if a mum died in childbirth or was too ill, the only alternative was another lactating woman. I think i would be worried about my baby forming a bond with the other woman, because for me bfeeding is real bonding time, and i enjoy the fact that only i can nourish him.

 

[Chel]

I drempt the other night that I was baby sitting my brothers baby while he got married (mind you, he has neither a baby or a fiancee) and I breast fed it... and it left me wondering if I would really do it.

The only reason I'd hesitate to breast feed someone elses baby while I'm breast feeding Jasper is I dont like the idea of giving away HIS milk. If I was confident that there would be enough for both Jasper and another baby I'd consider it... although I cant imagine what circumstances it would come up.

 

[mommyof3co]

I wouldn't let someone actually nurse my baby unless for some reason it was completely necc, BUT I would give my child someone else's breastmilk...nursing itself is such a bonding thing that I wouldn't wnat them doing that with someone else. I would nurse someone elses baby if needed or donate my milk

 

[Linzi]

Hmm... I dont think I could feed another baby, or have someone else feed Seth. I would donate milk if I could to a baby unit or something, my nan used to donate her milk to a premature baby unit. But I wouldnt feel comfortable actually breastfeeding someone elses child.

But I dont think Id judge someone else for doing it, each to their own!

xxx

 

[Whisper]

I think i probably would providing i had enough milk to feed Amelia as my no.1 priority!
I wouldn't feel comfortable with anyone else feeding her though, thats my job, but i think i could feed anyone elses child if i had to.

On that documentary about other peoples breastmilk there was a lady visiting a very poor country and 2 infants were literally starving to death as they could not keep down the formula milk (think they were prem) and well she nursed them herself, i defo think i would do something like that.

 

[LeaArr]

It depends on how comfortable you are with it. I don't think I would be, but I don't know as I have never been put in the position.