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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

What do you think of cross feeding?

15 replies

Mum2OJ · 10/01/2009 11:43

i have just sent the link to a breastfeeding group by my friend.

On the link page it was a member saying this (i don't want to link it because of the persons privacy);

"I got to nurse a friend?s 6 week old son today He?s got serious latch problems and she tenses up when he fusses. I was holding him and said something like "He?s makin my milk come in! My body wants to nurse!" and laughed and she said "if you want to, if you will, ,you can nurse him" I said "REALLY? I can? OK!!" I was so excited He didn?t like my right side, but he stayed on the left for a good 10 minutes. He had a hard time latching and staying latched on, but it was beautiful It was so amazing to feed another baby in that way. When he finished, he had about 4oz of his bottle. He normally takes a full 8oz bottle so that means he got a good amount off me He also has bad reflux and he only spit a little after - he spit on me so I know how much lol it was way less than my son when he was a reflux baby.

Anyway, cross nursing is fantastic It felt so good to nurture another child with my milk. I know that not everyone agrees with it, and I probably would have thought someone was crazy for this 8 months ago, but it was truly beautiful and it gave the mama a break to focus on her 15 month old son It was good for all involved "

What do you think of that?

I am not saying it is right or wrong but TBH i was a little shocked.

OP posts:

Original poster

Mum2OJ · 10/01/2009 11:49

That was copy and pasted, i didn't reaslise that litle smileys made the smiley faces on MN

OP posts:

mummyhill · 10/01/2009 11:57

If the parents and children involved are happy then I can't see any problems tbh. It's only like wet nursing which used to be a common practice.

BouncingTurtle · 10/01/2009 12:05

As long as both parties are happy with it then I can't see a problem. Cross nursing was common in the days before commercial formula, with sisters and other relative helping to feed babies when mum wasn't able to.

CharCharGabor · 10/01/2009 12:23

Aw that's lovely If it helps others and all are in agreement then I think it's great. I would definitely do it for a friend if they wanted me to.

MarlaSinger · 10/01/2009 12:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PortAndLemon · 10/01/2009 12:38

I don't see anything wrong with it.

Original poster

Mum2OJ · 10/01/2009 12:44

But what about if the person has got any kind of illness, or what if she is taking medication?

I don't think i would be able to let someone BF my DS simply because i don't think i would trust that person enough.

I am not disgusted about it, just shocked.

OP posts:

CharCharGabor · 10/01/2009 12:47

Well if it was a close friend then I'm sure they wouldn't offer if they felt it was unsafe. Most medications are fine for bfing anyway. It's been going on forever, how else would babies be fed before formula?

MarlaSinger · 10/01/2009 12:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChairmumMiaow · 10/01/2009 13:03

I would let someone I knew well feed a baby of mine, and would happily feed someone else's baby. SIL who looks after DS used to regularly wish she could spontaneously lactate as DS would really really try to latch on to her

DS hated a bottle - to the point where SIL would rather take him out walking for 2 hours rather than fight about the bottle because he got so upset - and if I could find a CM that I trusted and had milk, I'd rather he had that than formula.

Original poster

Mum2OJ · 10/01/2009 13:33

I would be very worried about any kind of medication because DS has a heart conditon and i didn't take anything when i was BFing(not even painkillers)

OP posts:

Alieight · 10/01/2009 23:38

I would let a close friend or family member feed a baby of mine, and would happily feed someone else's, although it would have to be someone I trusted completely.

I know that my mum and my aunt cross-fed me and my cousin when we were tiny, just how things were...

faeriemoo · 10/01/2009 23:43

I would feed another baby if the mother wanted me to. I would also be okay about someone breastfeeding my DD2 in my absence. Not sure how I would feel about them doing it whilst I was there though.

moonincancer · 10/01/2009 23:50

i wouldnt have a problem with someone else nursing mine, or me theirs if needs be. i think humans/cows is REALLY cross feeding

Rascal1979 · 11/01/2009 11:11

I haven't actually BF someone elses baby but have 'donated' ebm to a close friend for her DS when he was poorly in hospital a few weeks back.

Like my DD he was born prem and both myself and friend expressed for weeks until they could feed. Her DS has never had formula or a bottle and it was so important for her for him to only have breast milk.

He was poorly and being tube fed as he was too weak/poorly to breast feed. She was unable to express enough to keep up with his demands so asked me/I offered to express for her.

I was more than happy to express for her as I know it was so important to her after what we have both been through and it was lovely to be able to help

WRT actually BF someone elses DC I think I would be willing to do this but unless the situation arose not sure how I would feel. I don't think I would want to do it 'just for the sake of it' IYSWIM but if it was a situation where it was the only/best option for the baby and all parties were consenting then I would like to think I would.

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