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Infant feeding

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

Wanted: Wet Nurses.

123 replies

spidermama · 30/06/2005 17:41

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?

OP posts:
Gillian76 · 30/06/2005 17:43

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 · 30/06/2005 17:44

one of my ancestors was a wetnurse.apparently.

mandyc66 · 30/06/2005 17:47

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

alexsmum · 30/06/2005 17:48

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 · 30/06/2005 17:48

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

Flamesparrow · 30/06/2005 17:49

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 · 30/06/2005 17:49

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

mandyc66 · 30/06/2005 17:51

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

giraffeski · 30/06/2005 17:51

Message withdrawn

spidermama · 30/06/2005 17:51

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.

OP posts:
mandyc66 · 30/06/2005 17:52

surely you cant produce milk without having had a baby?

alexsmum · 30/06/2005 17:52

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 · 30/06/2005 17:52

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.

OP posts:
beetroot · 30/06/2005 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

alexsmum · 30/06/2005 17:53

spidermama how did your sister feel about that?

mandyc66 · 30/06/2005 17:53

what did his mum think spider?

giraffeski · 30/06/2005 17:53

Message withdrawn

spidermama · 30/06/2005 17:53

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

OP posts:
Gillian76 · 30/06/2005 17:53

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 · 30/06/2005 17:54

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.

OP posts:
starlover · 30/06/2005 17:55

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

mandyc66 · 30/06/2005 17:56

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 · 30/06/2005 17:56

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.

OP posts:
mandyc66 · 30/06/2005 17:57

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

alexsmum · 30/06/2005 17:58

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

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