Had an interesting convo with my sister...

I'm not sure how I would feel about another woman nursing my baby, because of the bonding. But I would definitely use donated breastmilk if I was not able to BF for any reason. I feel very strongly about exclusive breastmilk for at least the first year. But that's MY (and my husband's) opinion for OUR babies.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

I may be totally weird with my answer BUT...while I would not let another women nurse my child (I'd rather bottle feed donated breast milk or formula and get the bonding time in), I would be OK if I had to nurse someone else's child if they needed me too...not as an only source like a wet nurse, but in an emergency, or very temporary situation...

Message edited 5/17/2013 6:06:10 PM.

Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Also, donated BM--if you have to buy at a milk bank--is about $4/ounce. For a baby drinking 20-25oz a day, that is $2,500+/mo!!
I doubt that is an option for most people.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Yes and Yes. I would breast feed another child just fine and I would allow someone I knew to breastfed my child, especially if it was my sister. If I didn't have to give my child formula I don't see why I would.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Yes I would BF someone else's child (close friend /family) if needed
No I would not let someone else BF my child
One of my sister and I are 3 yrs apart were both BF by someone else (the same person, next door neighbor of my parents and a close friend of my mother's) because my mother couldn't . AND I just found about this just a few months ago, she never told us. This was in 80s. My other sister was FF because the woman couldn't do it and my mother didn't want anyone else.
Yup, true story .

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Message edited 5/17/2013 6:58:27 PM.

Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Yes and yes.
I would have zero issue nursing another child. I would be glad to give someone the break. ESP if a child was hungry, forget abut it...no issue.
As long. I knew the person did not have any infections, I would. Be okay with someone nursing mine.
I read an article where a town came together to nurse a baby after her mother died. If something would have happened to me, I love the thought that my baby is still being comforted in that intimate way.
I never used formula. Formula is fine. But if you could arrange for formula to come out of a breast that would be great. I do not think it is the actual substance...more so the comfort feeling of closeness that I would want my baby to have

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

I wouldn't want someone else breastfeeding my child. It seems weird IMO but I guess to each his own. I wouldn't do it but I don't really care how others choose to feed their baby as long as they are fed.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Recently I mentioned to a friend that I was concerned about my supply taking a hit now that I'm back at work. I said I might be getting to the point where I'll have to miix some formula in with breast milk for DD's bottles (she's 6 months). Well, my friend wanted me to take some of her frozen stash because she has so much. I thought that was weird and said no. She thought it was weird that I thought it was weird!

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

If it was the 1800s and there was no other choice, sure.
In 2013...ummmm no.
That's why God made formula....

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

I extended BF both of my LOs. I wouldn't be against either situation but I think it would depend on the situation and the person. It's hard to answer with out being in the situation.

Had an interesting convo with my sister...

ummm... back in a day I think some of the mothers would have the slaves breast feed their children......

I personally wouldn't unless my child was very sick, and it was needed like medicine.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

If you asked me a few years ago, I would have said hell to the no. However, my views have changed and I'd definitely do it if it was a family member or close friend AND I knew the person was eating a healthy diet, not doing drugs, taking meds, etc.

My mom told me that in her generation back in India, if a mother could not breastfeed, a family member or close neighbor would provide breast milk.

Had an interesting convo with my sister...

no to both. though, i feel like i would be more comfortable bfing someone elses child than someone else bfing mine. im sure if we were living in a different time/place/era my answer could be different.

Had an interesting convo with my sister...

I wonder what the answers are in a place like Portland. They are so progressive with nursing.

Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Never. I don't trust anyone enough. I would be very concerned with their diet, drugs/alcohol, disease, etc.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

No. I am barely comfortable with BFing and I only BF my 3rd so I would not be comfortabe BFing someone else's child and I wouldn't trust another women to BF mine.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Ech, I pumped for 3 weeks and hated it. Wet nurses have been around forever. I personally would let my child nurse from another woman, but if he needed it to survive I would beg borrow and steal BM for him.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Had an interesting convo with my sister...

I was faced with this situation. My twins were born slightly premature and I have very large breasts and had to pump for them their first couple of months. I never produced enough to get any extra supply. It was barely enough to satisfy them each meal. I pumped every 3 hours. I had to supplement with formula. One of my girls was having blood in her stool, the other was terribly gassy and both of them had horrible reflux. We went thru several different types of formula trying to find something that would work. We went to a gastroenterologist who prescribed elecare and antacids. Elecare was $600 per month for both babies. Insurance initially denied coverage.

At the same time a distant friend has a baby 6 months older than my girls. She was exclusively BFing and pumping. She produced milk like a prize heffer LOL She had a freezer full of milk. She was and is much healthier than me, her diet is much better than mine. She wasn't a close friend, she was my moms friends daughter we used to play when we were around 10 years old but I hadn't spoken to her for 27 years. She had been passing clothes on from her DD thru our moms and we were texting back and forth casually. "thanks for the clothes, how are the girls etc" So it's not like we were BFF or anything.

She texted me one day and kindly offered me her milk. My first reaction was "no F*ing" way. But watching them suffer and the severe sleep deprivation of having two screaming babies. My husband working 16 hours, 6 or more days a week I was at the end of my rope. I thought about it for almost 2 weeks. This was right at the same time we were starting on the elecare. In my mind this was the LAST option for formula and if this didn't work what was I going to do?

So mentally I did make the decision that if the elecare didn't work I would take her up on her offer. It would be the only reason I would ever allow them to have someone else's breast milk, but if that is what it would take then yes I would do it. It would have killed me to watch them be nursed by someone else but even that I would have done if it meant I wouldn't open up a diaper full of blood and we all could do better. The sleep deprivation was murder and they were sooo uncomfortable. It really takes it's toll on your sanity.

Fortunately, I didn't have to do it though because the Elecare worked great. Their digestive system matured and we all survived it. Insurance (BCBS) even accepted our appeal and they paid for their entire first year of formula.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

It's interesting that we as a society are okay with having our children drink milk from a cow that we most likely have no knowledge of its health, history, diet, etc.; however we are very uncomfortable with the idea of giving our kids milk from another human being. I myself admit it's hard to accept.

Message edited 5/18/2013 2:12:33 PM.

Re: Had an interesting convo with my sister...

Interesting post.

Due to Hep C and HIV, I would not let anyone nurse my children... But in certain circumstances, I could see the point & possibility!