Other people's breast milk, Channel 4

[~max~]

What do you think? Would you not mind your baby being fed by another woman's milk?
I haven't got any children (yet), but I don't think I would be comfortable with it. It is such an intimate and bonding experience with your baby, it seems that someone else feeding them would negate that, for it to become a purely animal feeding instinct. There is no reason nowadays, with the quality of available formula (I think!), for it to be necessary. If it was a question of life and death, of course I would, but otherwise no. Any views?

[sara3]

I'm with you Max, and some of those kids are way too old to be breast feeding. it seems odd to me.

I interviewed a woman at work some years ago, and mid-conversation a child of about 5 walked over, whipped up her top and just helped himself.

ewwwwwwww!

[helliebobs]

I wouldn't like it Maxie. I breastfeed my little boy for not very long, wish I'd done it for longer, but it's a very intimate and personal thing, and as you said, bonding.
I do think the breast milk banks are a great idea though and something that should be brought into more hospitals, what a fab idea.

[helliebobs]

Ahem that should have said 'breastfed', obviously :)

[Ice.Maiden]

Years ago, a lot of women breast-fed infants for others. They were called "wet nurses", but this was before formula milk was devised.
I was unable to breast feed after the first two days, as the milk just dried up, but my babies went straight on to formula milk with no problems. However, it's obvious that breast milk is best, and some women'd perhaps prefer their children to take that instead of the powdered stuff - hence allowing another woman to take over the task.
I don't think i'd have liked that personally, but had their been no alternative - then of course.

[~max~]

I guess it's simply a question of culture, isn't it? I'm sure in plenty of other societies it is perfectly acceptable, and even usual. Maybe we are too "scientifically minded", as in, you can't help thinking of everything else the baby is ingesting.....Plus, we also have the sexual side of it in mind, through culture, and it feels a bit disturbing to us seeing older kids beeing breast-fed.

That lady who expresses her milk for the hospital, to feed premature babies is a wonderful thing, on the other hand.

[stokemaveric]

if i was a baby i wish jordan was my mother...................

[~max~]

I wouldn't mind tasting it either! lol I'm curious now.....:O)

[~max~]

Stoke, you'd probably be at risk of asphyxiation....and sylicone poisoning! lol

[Ice.Maiden]

My mum personally knows a woman who breastfed her daughter until she was four and a half.
A personal choice, no doubt...but think of the teeth! Ouch!

[~max~]

lol! Would you believe it, I hadn't even thought of the teeth!!! Argh!

[Skreecheeboy]

I grew up on Badger milk and it never did me any harm.

[Ice.Maiden]

Blimey Skreech - have you now got a bUm like one as well???? : )

[~max~]

lol! and how are you skreech? Long time no see!
I was meant to go to edinburgh last year, but missed my flight. That was before I knew where you lived! lol

[Skreecheeboy]

No but I can see incredibly well in the dark and I am quite partial to digging holes.

[Skreecheeboy]

Hi Max! I'm really well thanks, been travelling around the UK most of the summer and now got things like getting a flat and a proper job to worry about but I've never felt better! All that vitamin D I think, couldn't believe how nice the weather's been but most folk have been moaning about the crap summer we've had, folk keep asking me if I've been abroad! Also got to see some amazing bands as I've been to about 8 festivals!

[Ice.Maiden]

Blimey - did you go onto carrots after that then?

[~max~]

*and those of us who don't know what a badger is raise a hand!*

*raises hand*

[~max~]

Gah...I wish I had people to go to festivals with!
Whatcha doing end of september? Fancy going to an italian wedding? lol

[Skreecheeboy]

An Italian wedding? Is it in Italy? Would love to but I'll need a lift! I went to most of them myself but managed to make loads of friends there, plus I was working at them all so I already knew quite a few folk at each of them and free beer really helps breakdown barriers!

[~max~]

It's in Naples, I'm flying into Rome though. I'm afraid I can't provide the "getting there", but for everything else...there's mastercard! lol