Women who are unable to breastfeed -- did you ever consider having a milk mother for your baby?

Question

This has been the norm throughout history but you don't hear about it much anymore, at least not in this country (the US). I don't have any kids by the way, I am just curious as to what you think or if you know of anyone in the west that has done this at all.
Thanks

Good answers. I think it is interesting. Religiously, we are not allowed to marry the children of our milk mother (if we had one) because they would be our milk brothers and sisters. And yes, one would have to pick somebody they trusted.

I asked a follow up question here: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071204113500AAgDQvc&pa=FYd1D2bwHTHwLbxhHewyQf9420Taqep_kn00ItOuPEAOgA--&paid=asked&msgr_status=

Gottaloveher, that is interesting. I actually wonder if I was breast fed. LOL, I don't even know and I think I wasn't. There are all kinds of psychological studies on those sorts of things.

Answer 1

My husband and I had a conversation relating to this once, he saw a story about women nursing other women's babies and wanted to know if I would do it... I said absolutely I would nurse someone else's child. He thought it was weird, but I tried to explain that if there was a hungry baby, and I could help, how could I not???

Answer 2

In the past, here in the USA women who found themselves without milk for their babies often did turn to another new mother for help with milk for the baby. The person of choice would be a familiy member if possible. Now, though, with all the formula's available and the way women have seemed to not bond as closely as they once did it (too much jealousy & fear) is rare to see it done now. My cousin received what was to be my milk from my mother (he was born one month before me and his mother didn't have any for him) and since I am told that I rejected my mother's milk they let him nurse. Interesting, because I never had a close bond with my mother. Makes one wonder.

Answer 3

sure in the event that they allowed it and it replaced into needed. my sister and that i had our toddlers 4 weeks aside and there replaced into one nighttime whilst i replaced into finding after her son and he had a bad cough on the time,he replaced into purely 12 weeks previous so my sister asked me to breast feed him if he grew to become upset,so i did in certainty breast feed my nephew as quickly as. i nevertheless breastfeed my daughter now and shes 2 a million/2 (even regardless of the undeniable fact that i'll end very quickly) i've got self assurance that breastfeeding is thoroughly organic and interior the previous whilst a mom died at delivery it could have been elementary place to get yet another women human beings to feed the youngster. i does no longer breastfeed a neighbour or a pals newborn regardless of the undeniable fact that, i consider 'sam fake boobs' that breastfeeding is a definite situation even regardless of the undeniable fact that i like my nephew and that i DO have a bond with him. I even have additionally appeared into expressing my milk for untimely toddlers as my mom did this whilst she replaced right into a nurse. i cant see how that's called nerve-racking, 'sam fake boobs' needless to say feels that her breasts are in basic terms sexual therefor its needless to say going to be weird and wonderful for her, yet in my opinion how can FEEDING a newborn be weird and wonderful???

Answer 4

I was only able to breastfeed one of my three and even then it was only for the first couple of months. I would never have considered this. I know breast milk is best, but that is why they have so many types of formula. My children did just fine with it. I would be VERY uncomfortable having my children either nursing from another women or even taking someone else's breast milk from a bottle.

Answer 5

I wasnt able to breastfeed my firsts (twins) because 1 it was too much work and too hard on me since they were born a little early and couldnt latch on. 2. i tried to do the pump and bottle feed because of that but my milk ran dry within 2 weeks!

I wouldnt personally like to have a milk mother because that just seems odd, I wouldnt want to give my baby some other womans breastmilk to my kids! It just sounds to disturbing to me!

Answer 6

My daughter was fed by both of my sister in law and my husbands aunt. I wouldn't just let some stranger do it lol but someone I know is clean and healthy sure!

Answer 7

I was able to breastfeed but I would never let another woman breastfeed my baby. However, my cousin lived in Arizona and said that the moms would nurse each other's babies(she didn't). All of us in my family think that's weird.

Answer 8

I tried to breastfeed, but after 2 months I gave up. I've heard of milk mothering. I wouldn't consider it because, during breastfeeding you still have to eat properly and take prenatal vitamins. Whatever you digest goes straight through your breastmilk. You can't trust people these days. What if the milk mother was taking pain medication or not taking care of herself and your baby is getting her milk. Its way to risky. I switched to formula and guess what? She started sleeping through the night!!! :) I will try again for the next baby. Happy Holidays.

Answer 9

No, there are too many good formulas that can be substituted if I were not able to breast feed.

Answer 10

It is safe and nurse maids were the old way fo keeping babies alive! And helping each other! Not everything we take will end up in the milk. You can find out what will end up in the breastmilk and what will not! Who says you can trust a cow over another woman? Where did you go to school? Cows are given antibiotics and bovine growth hormone. Infants and toddlers need human growth hormones that are in breastmilk, as well as amino acids and immunity from germs that would make the baby sick! Formula also predisposes infants to become obese.