Cross-Nursing

[Wendels]

Can I ask people for their opinion on 'cross-nursing'(wet nursing, shared feeding)? I know it's not something that is commonly done these days, but would it be acceptable for say my sister to feed my daughter and vice-versa? Sorry if this sounds very unusual, I'm just curious to see what people think.

[pooka]

I personally wouldn't have a problem with this. I don't have a sister though, and so my options would have been limited.
The situation never arose WRT friends. I don't think I would have been comfortable with a friend feeding my children (unless in true emergency-life-or-death situation). And I'm not sure how comfortable I would have been feeding a friend's baby (again, would have to have seen how it felt in an emergency situation). Wouldn't have contemplated it in a casual situation.

[slim22]

"acceptable" yes of course, don't see why not. Generations were raised like that for centuries.

I however am not comfortable with the idea.

[mmelody]

I would have no problem with a close friend or relative feeding my baby and I would happily reciprocate. In fact i'd welcome a breastfeeding friend to allow me a night out without the faff of expressing.

I read a book a while back called 'Fresh Milk, The secret life of breasts' by Fiona Giles. Its full of VERY interesting true stories about breastfeeding sent in by women all over the world. There is a piece in there which talks about how even as recently as 1940s and 1950s it was common for women to share the feeding of their babies with close relatives (extended families etc). I think its a shame that its not able to be more acceptable.

[nowwearefour]

personally i cant see a problem with it. i would not mind someone i know feeding my baby if i could not be around for whatever reason. and i would happily feed someone elses. but no one i know in RL agrees with me and i havent really had the need for it except in one or two circumstances but they were not life or death emergency.....

[Spidermama]

I fed my sister's little boy when I babysat for her. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. Baby cries. Milk in breasts. Give. Just as if it were a bottle. No difference to me. It did the trick and he went back to sleep so my sister could enjoy her well earned night out.

I would have been delighted to have someone from the family willing to bf my little ones.

[FrannyandZooey]

yes it wouldn't be anyone else's business IMO

[ilovewashingnappies]

Bring it on - that would be fab!!!

Except for my lack of lactating relatives....

[PinkTulips]

well being completely lacking in female relatives (nevermind lactating female relatives) it's never been an option for me but i think if it were family and only as a babysitting type thing as opposed to a casual thing i'd be happy enough

with regards to non related women and their babies i think i'd be comfortable enough feeding someone elses baby but would feel a bit odd if someone fed mine and i think most women feel the same unfortunately

[beautifuldays]

i would feed someone else's baby if they needed me to.

perversly wouldn't want someone else to feed my dd tho. i'm possessive like that