Is it? Always?

We know that breastmilk is best for babies (that has long been drummed into us) but is that still the case if it isn’t your milk, from your breast?

After reading a piece in the Daily Mail, by GMTV’s Kate Garraway, on the subject of cross-feeding, or wetnursing, I felt it was too emotive a subject not to add my two-penneth. In a nutshell, Kate has been interviewing women who breastfeed other people’s babies, and has found that the experience of talking to these ladies has changed her view on the act of cross-feeding.

The idea that it is better to give a baby breastmilk from another woman, in favour of formula derived from cows’ milk, is a controversial one, and one on which every mother will undoubtedly have an opinion. Yes, cows’ milk is made for calves, not humans, but infant formula has been treated to be as close as possible to breastmilk. And breastfeeding (or bottle feeding) isn’t just about the milk itself, but also about the act – a mother providing comfort and nourishment in a secure environment is hugely beneficial to both mother and child.

My Thoughts…

Speaking as a short-lived breastfeeder of both my children (only a few weeks each time), I personally don’t think I would like to watch another woman breastfeed my baby – that time is so special and intimate, and, selfish as it may sound, I would be jealous of another person sharing that with my child. Obviously, I want the best for my children, and if breastmilk was available in the same way as formula to everyone, then I wouldn’t hesitate to use that in place of formula. Unfortunately it isn’t, and never will be, so to mothers who are unable to breastfeed directly, for whatever reason, formula is the only option. I am in favour of the concept of natural parenting, although I confess to using disposable nappies, and we don’t, as a rule, co-sleep.

If the issues behind me stopping breastfeeding my own children didn’t exist, I would happily donate milk to a milk bank, but, for the same reasons as above, I am not sure how I would feel about feeding a baby other than my own. Perhaps, given my experiences, I could never answer that.

Having said all this, I have utmost repect for the ladies who wetnurse, and those who choose to put their babies health and wellbeing above their own emotions, and allow people they know and trust to give their babies the best sustenance that Mother Nature can provide.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this very personal subject…