Wanted: Wet Nurses.

[spidermama]

Wouldn't it be great if you could look up a wet nurse in the Yellow Pages then go for a night out even when BF? They had wet nurses (women who'd BF your baby for you) in days of yore.
My mw told me if a woman has lactated she can do so again, even ten years down the line, just as long as a baby sucks for long enough. Has anyone heard of this?

[Gillian76]

I have heard of this, spidermama, but don't know anyone who has done it. Apparently there are even women who have BF their adopted babies.

[alexsmum]

one of my ancestors was a wetnurse.apparently.

[mandyc66]

can you imagine feeding someone elses baby? much as I love bfing I wouldnt want to feed anyones baby but mine!

[alexsmum]

there was actually an article about this in a baby magazine i read a while ago.a womans baby wasn't gaining weight and the clinic were pressuring her to give formula so her friend came round a couple of times a day and breastfed the baby.baby gained weight and the mum was really pleased because it meant she didn't have toi give formula.
found it a bit creepy personally.would rather give formula-its such an intimate thing-feeding a baby.

[starlover]

someone on here who was b/f had a friend who was as well who offered to feed her baby!

[Flamesparrow]

I'd breastfeed someone else's baby for them. Does that make me odd? (seriously asking that, not a stroppy type thing)

I think I'd rather mine on donated breast milk in a bottle though...

[mandyc66]

maybe in extreme situation...but no dont think so

[mandyc66]

I just think its such a personal thing. something so special between you and baby

[giraffeski]

Message withdrawn

[spidermama]

My granny, now deceased, often told with great pride of how she fed a very sick baby to health while it's mum lay ill in hospital. Also I was once looking after my nephew and my sister was v. late back. Nephew going mental and wouldn't take anything so I BF'ed him. Felt odd at first but he was quiet and calm and then it felt completely natural. He was about 5 months old at the time.

[mandyc66]

surely you cant produce milk without having had a baby?

[alexsmum]

no i don't think it makes you odd fs. thats just how you feel. i would find it easier to feed someone elses child than to have someone else feed my child iyswim?

[spidermama]

Don't know how I'd feel about someone BFing mine. But if they were in distress and I wasn't around then I think I'd be glad.

[alexsmum]

spidermama how did your sister feel about that?

[mandyc66]

what did his mum think spider?

[giraffeski]

Message withdrawn

[spidermama]

I think Giraff is right. I've heard you can too. Even men can. That's a whole 'nother can of worms.

[Gillian76]

I'd have thought the baby would think it odd. Is a breast just a breast? Don't you smell differently or something? I suppose I might do it, depending on the circumstances.

[spidermama]

I felt nervous telling sister in case she was weirded out but she hugged me and said, thanks. You're so generous.' I was really glad.

[starlover]

women can certainly b'f even without having a baby. people who adopt can b/f their babies.

[mandyc66]

maybe we just want to think WE are special to our babies..but it looks like they will just take it from anyone
Although when I weaned mine he wouldnt be fed from anyone else and that was off a spoon not a boob!!!

[spidermama]

My nephew looked at me for about two seconds then thought - 'Gimme Milk!' The fact he was screaming in distress was a big motivating factor, as you can imagine.
Women do it in communes of course.

[mandyc66]

well I didnt know that. I thought you produced milk when u had a baby!!!

[alexsmum]

i think if someone else b/f ed my baby, i'd be really angry. i wouldn't like it at all.