Mumsnet Talk

Basically when my DD was born, my SIL told me about a woman in her daughter's school who had a baby around the same time and she had a nanny/wet nurse for him who looked after him all day and nursed him aswell.

I find this weird. I understand that she may have had problems with producing milk etc, but still...hiring someone to feed your baby physically? What about milk banks? Or if she didn't have problems with milk production then what about expressing?

I always thought this was something that happened in the olden days and didn't occur anymore, but I was obviously wrong. It would make me uncomfortable if anyone tried to nurse my baby, the biggest exception being my Mum, but she passed away a long time ago so that leaves no one...even my sister or close relative (not that I know anyone who still breastfeeds)...

I think it makes sense tbh.

I have heard of groups of friends/relatives who will feed each others babes if they are looking after them and they get hungry.
Wouldnt suit me at all, but each to their own I guess

What is the difference between getting milk from a bank and having a 'wet nurse'

I think it's a good idea as well!

Happens in other countries with no problems.

we Brits are so awfully squeamish.

I wouldn't like to see DD feeding from another woman, but only because it would make me feel jealous and possessive.

I would gladly share my milk with another mum, may even bf a friend's baby if they were happy with it - as long as baby didn't have teeth! (Once bitten, twice shy and all that...!)

I would wonder how the wet nurse has managed to produce the 'right' milk though - doesn't your milk change after the first six months? <ignorant>

Yabu

Each to their own, and its not something I would have done personally as I didn't need it... however, if I'd been ill and there'd been a ready and willing wet nurse available, I'd have done it.

I was too selfish and egotistical to share...

What about milk banks?
Very, very limited supply - usually limited to premature babies only. You can't just obtain human milk at will and definitely not to provide a baby's full nutrition. Which bit exactly do you find weird? Another human's milk, or the physical act or the intimacy with your baby?

YANBU. Ew.

i can't help but feel repulsed by the idea . I really could not see myself feeding anyone else baby or have anyone else feed mine in this way.

Each to their own. But for me it is eeeeeeeeeeeeew. sorry!

I find it to be a really special bonding experience, I just don't see how any mother could let her child be breast fed by another woman, and paying her for it...but that's just me

I think it's a good idea too.
I remember reading about wet nursing in USA, and how many very successful women want their babies to be breastfed, but can't do it themselves, so they pay someone very well to do it for them.
I don't know if it's something I could do myself, but the idea doesn't make me uncomfortable.

While I would prefer not to see another woman feed my ds, if I were to fall ill or be suddenly unavailable, I would rather another woman fed him than use formula.

Personal preference isn't it?

I didn't think there were milk banks for the public to buy from? Thought it was only for hospitals in this country. I wouldn't do it personally or if I did I wouldn't tell anyone, but breastmilk from another mother is still healthier for the baby than formula.

I would not find this a problem at all. Would also have no problem nursing someone elses baby should they ask/need me to. Don't understand what is so ewwww about it tbh.

In UK there is a large number of people who find it icky that a baby is breastfed by its own mother, never mind by a wet nurse.

Still undecided what I think about wetnurses.... In theory I think it's a great idea, but not sure in what situation I'd use it for one of my children....

Need to give it more thought...

Each to their own. I would rather have a wet nurse feed my baby than use formula too.

I would happily feed my sister or my closest friends babies for them and vice versa but it isn't the done thing. I would be jealous if I saw DS being nursed by another woman but I would quickly get over it if it meant I could actually go out to dinner with DP/swimming by myself etc.

It is ridiculous that most women would rather their babies had formula than another woman's breastmilk. I was actually going to start a thread myself asking whether people would buy expressed breastmilk for their babies if they knew it was safe. I definitely would in a flash. Until that comes on the market then I am at DS's beck and call.

I fed my friends baby for a day as friend was on medication and was not sure if the baby would take from a bottle. It was fine, I remember the baby looking at me in surprise, then looking at her mum then back at me!

It isn't any of your business so YABU.

I think it's a great idea.

But as someone that couldn't even bear to see her babies being given expressed breast milk!- there's no way I could have considered it.

TittyBojangles - I'm asking! Can you come over every Thursday at 7pm and nurse DS? I would like to give Zumba a try so I can start to shift this baby weight. Unlimited free tea and coffee is on offer.

You can do that?? Hmm, maybe a career option I hadn't considered.

I don't see what's wrong with it, sounds like a good idea to me if you can afford it!