Would You Nurse Another Mom's Baby?

[Jessica at Parenting.com]

There is a lot of controversy over sharing breast milk.

Read Breastfeeding Controversy: Milk Sharing, and then reply to this message to let us know what you think.

Would you nurse another mom's baby, or let another woman nurse yours? What do you think of milk banks? Is sharing breast milk too extreme, given that formula is an option?

[JustOneLuckyWoman]

I actually donate to a milk bank here in Colorado. I have too much milk, and knowing that it can help a baby survive makes any slight inconvenience of delivering it worth it. I had to get bloodwork done, the same as a blood donor, to make sure I didn't have any diseases.

[MakaylaMommy]

I would definitely donate if I had the extra breast milk (Unfortunately I dont) But on the other hand I dont think I would let someone else breast feed my child or get breast milk from a bank. Especially with the new studies on Dioxins and where you are living. Although the bloodwork is a benefit I dont think I would give it to my daughter.

[charliesmommy]

I would donate if I could. If it were something readily available, I would feed my child from a bank.

What I wouldn't feel comfortable doing is latching another woman's baby on to my breasts. I would do it if it had to be done. But, it would be emotionally uncomfortable at first.

[masonsmommie]

I couldn't do that. I couldn't latch another woman's child to my breast's. It would be very uncomfortanble to me. After reading the article about this, I have to say, that if you are a nursing mom and you leave your baby with someone, you should plan to leave extra pumped milk just incase something happened. My husband and I went out for dinner with some friends of ours two weeks after our son was born and I know I left enough pumped milk with my mom for him to last probably 2 days. I wanted to make sure that he had enough milk in case we were running late getting home. I think its great that there are places that you can donate your expressed milk. I would look into using donated milk if my husband and I decided to adopt a newborn. Breast milk is best, but I also support those who choose not to. I had to switch my son to formula because I didn't produce enough milk and I didn't produce it for too long. I also don't think that I would let another breast feeding mother feed my child. I would donate if I could to help save a baby.

[rkay1964]

My husband's platoon seargant's wife and I were in town and she was stung by a wasp and had to get help at the ER and I was left with her son, Eli and my son Aleks who were both breast fed and about one month apart. I had to nurse her son and it was really different. I wish there were more milk banks available for women who want to nurse and cannot because many times a nursing mom is in pain because she cannot take medications that would be in her milk and she has no option but that if there is no milk bank.

[Soon2bemptynester]

I am the mother of a 15 & 20 year olds. I breastfed both children for various lengths of time during their infancies. Breastfeeding is best for babies because of the health benefits that mothers pass on to their offspring while their little bodies are working to make their immune system stronger as they grow as well as other health benefits.

It seems that many women voice the same reason for not wanting to breatfeed another baby or have their infant/toddler breastfed by someone else--"being uncomfortable". I think it may lean toward feelings of jealously toward the other woman for doing something that is not their role, feeling that their child will bond with that woman. When caring for another child in whatever capacity, you somewhat forget that it is not your biological child, but a child with a need. Even when temporarily caring for another's child, you love and care for that child as if it were your own so that it's parents will feel ok leaving their child in your care.

If I were a lactating woman, I would gladly breastfeed another's child and vice versa. Wet nurses were (and still are) used in history and the security of self of the mother's is what allowes wet nurses to be used. It may be uncomfortable in the beginning, but seeing the joy and contentment of a well fed baby makes up for any jealously or feelings of discomfort by the mother or volunteer breastfeeder.

It is a wonderful thing to give of self to someone so loving and small. A baby is worth any discomfort to be made to feel safe and loved. After all, that is what a parent wants for her/his child--love, happiness, good health and safety.

[peytonemilie]

I can't say I've "nursed" another woman's child, but I have donated my extra milk to someone on MilkShare before. I also have been the recipient of donor milk from MS. I can't say I'd be comfortable nursing an infant other than my own, or having my daughter nurse from another momma. I would give my daughter milk from a healthy "stranger" before giving her formula. I don't see it as weird, gross, or even abnormal. People have done it for hundreds of years and now we are making it taboo.

It's strange to me how people are so worried that milk from a healthy, screened donor can cause harm to a child, all the while they are allowing the child to inhale second hand smoke or other harmful things into their tiny bodies...

I thank the woman who has been gracious enough to donate to my munchkin. We tried to get milk from a bank, but with the $$$ and the fact insurance is not a help, makes it nearly impossible. It's funny how the Government (WIC) will pay for formua, but not breast milk....

[puglover]

I am a milk bank donor so obviously I am in favor of sharing! But as I was collecting my initial donation (so my tests hadn't been completed yet) a friend went in to the hospital due to hemmorage 5 days after her son was born. Her DH called me from the hospital to see if I would come and bring milk. I was so happy to be able to help her out while she recovered. She gave my milk exclusively until she was allowed to feed again and then mixed mine with hers for night bottles so she could get some more rest. She knew I was healthy and that I had passed all the STD screenings when I was pregnant, I'm a blood donor etc.. so I think all that made her feel safe with accepting my milk.

Thankfully the baby was fine with taking a bottle but if he refused it and if his parents agreed I would have nursed him. I will say that before having my DD and BF for several months I never would have considered that, but now it seems weirder to give kids cow's milk - I mean that is a whole different species! - than it does to share my BM.

[1st Time Mom - Again]

I would look into using donated milk if my husband and I decided to adopt a newborn.

Are you aware that an adoptive mom CAN breastfeed an adopted infant? It's just a matter of getting the prolactin levels up. Strangely enough you do so by allowing a nursing baby to nurse over a period of time. Check it out with the La Leche League!