Cross-Nursing

My son's first day at camp went well. So did his second day. He has decided to go back tomorrow, too!

I found this article while making my morning rounds through the news. In an effort to stir up SOME conversation/communication with my readers (my outbox is jam-packed, while sadly my inbox lies hollow and empty), I am bringing up a topic that may make people squirm. Cross-nursing is the act of breastfeeding a baby other than your own. The article linked above poses the question whether this is "natural" or "disgusting and weird." The comments posted range from very supportive to totally opposed. The article even quotes the ever so authoritative La Leche league. Now that's powerful stuff, huh?

So what do you think? Is cross-nursing okay? I voted on their poll and found that I was not alone in my opinion (although at the time that I voted, the votes were pretty evenly divided). I breastfed both my children for 13 months each. That was just when they decided they had had enough (actually, with my second child, I developed mastitis requiring antibiotics, so off the breast she went; she was starting to lose interest anyway). I loved nursing them. It truly was a bonding experience, so calming for me and the babies. I just loved the way they looked while they were nursing, the way they looked up at me, the way their big cheeks bobbed up and down. What a wonderful experience. And I felt good that they were getting good sustenance. Oh, and it was free!

That said, I agree breastfeeding is not for everyone. Let's face it, not all nipples are built alike, and nursing can be painful for many. And with the formulas as nutritious as they are, who can question that it is a very good option. Babies still have that look on their faces when they bottle feed -the upward gaze into your eyes, the cheek- oh those cheeks! So thumbs up on the bottle feeding, I say.

So how do I feel about cross-nursing? If the bonding issue is addressed by both the donor and the baby's mom, I think it would be fine. I, myself, did see Hand that Rock's the Cradle, so I am aware of the "ick" factor. The donor would have to be interviewed, screened, and tested, for both mental stability (no Rebecca DeMornay's invited, please), as well as infectious diseases such as HIV. To me, cross-nursing includes pumping another's person's milk and bottle feeding it to someone else's baby. I think it is a very good alternative if mom is unable to breastfeed herself, but wants to give her baby the advantages of breast milk. To those who are saying, "Ewwww, " I pose the following question: how is this different from feeding your child cow's milk or goat's milk? Is the cow or goat not a lactating mother, as well? Okay, so your baby is not going to latch onto the cow, and gaze lovingly into her eyes, and mistake her for you; I get that. But what about the pumping? Is not the milk of a lactating human just as worthy, if not moreso, than that of the bovine mother?

No doubt, breastfeeding is one of the best options for babies. But those who cannot or choose not to breastfeed have the tried and tested formula-feeding as an excellent option. I see cross-nursing as merely another option that has been used in other countries, as well as our own US of A, for centuries. To those who support this option for the right reasons, I applaud you.