would you breastfeed a child that wasn't your own?

[artisanroast]

Hi,

Bit being adverse to controversy...

I thought I would put the question out there...

I would gladly feed a friend's child. I feel it offers ultimate comfort to a baby.

I will stop breastfeeding at 9 months to hopefully conceive baby no 2 but I could happily breastfeed for longer. (I was very much in the feed to 6 months then stop camp until I realised how much me and my daughter love it).

So... Would you? Do you?

If you did feed a friend's child how did the subject come up? Tell your story...

No. To both "would I?" and "tell your story"...

Yes I would if circumstances required it. But I have no stories to tell.

Never had children so you may disregard my opinion if you wish.

I would if necessary e.g. we were stuck with no access to formula and I couldn't express. Would not in a non-emergency situation but would happily share/donate expressed milk.

If it was an emergency and no other food available for the baby, sure. A mother's milk is tailored to her own baby, though, the baby's saliva makes the mother create the antibodies the baby needs. So me BF someone else's baby as a one off would not necessarily have the same health benefits as me BF my own child long term. So I wouldn't be inclined to do it unless in dire need.

You don't have to stop breastfeeding to conceive.

I conceived DTs while breastfeeding 10.5mo DS1.

Funny how wet nursing was commonplace for centuries, but nowadays it feels almost taboo.

Because you don't sound like a journo looking for a controversial sound bite at all...

Nope. I'd give a bottle.

I would in theory. Remember the police officer who breast fed the abandoned newborn

Absolutely!

I conceived DC2 whilst breastfeeding DC1. After 6 months breastfeeding ceases to be a contraceptive (albeit always a risky one!) Prolactin levels reduce to allow ovulation after 6 months.

I would have fed another woman's baby had the need arisen, yes. It never did though. There was one occasion where I was left feeling that I maybe should have offered but I didn't.

There's no need to stop BF to conceive BTW, as a general rule periods come back once the frequency of feeding drops which is often reasonably quickly after the introduction of solid food, it seems.

yy, my DC2 (planned) was conceived on the second try while I was still BF DC1.

I had several people warn me that breastfeeding wasn't a contraceptive, because they'd conceived unexpectedly while breastfeeding.

Nope. I didn't even breastfeed my own DC.

Yeah you totally sound like a journo. Is this off the back of the articles about The Milk Meg feeding her nephew?

(I would feed someone else's child though.)

Yes, I would have done back in the day....
But only with the mother's knowledge and consent unless an emergency.
I think it's a real shame that this is one of the last taboos left related to childbirth and babies - along with breastfeeding itself, of course.
A better question in my view is why wouldn't you if a baby was hungry and you had the means to feed it?

Oh, and I don't care if this thread has been started by a journalist - as long as it's not negatively skewed.

No I wouldn't under normal circumstances. Nor would I be happy with another woman breastfeeding my DC.

Yes if necessary and with permission.

In fact a friend suggested i did but at the time i was too narrow minded.

I'd do it if it was an emergency.

I might in an emergency dire need kind of situation but generally I don't like feeding my own so wouldn't offer.

I conceived without stopping bf. DD self weaned when I was 20 weeks... Milk naturally dried out...

Yes I would for any baby who needed it. It's nourishment and what they need, it doesn't matter who gives it to them.

I haven't done it before, though.