Would you hire a wet nurse?

[RainbowBrite]

I couldn't use a wet nurse...to personal...but I could and have used donated EBM.

[wysiwyg]

If I couldn't BF, I would use a wet nurse - and I don't have an issue with them BF directly - although I would like to feed the bub EBM myself sometimes. I think there are other ways to bond, plus my experience with DD is that she still loves my BB's but doesn't feed anymore, and I can see how happy she is just being able to snuggle into them, so I think the experience of a bub feeding from someone else may then lead to the bub getting the same pleasure and bond from just being close to my BB's even though not feeding with them. With my mum for example you can see how much DD likes to snuggle in, and I have seen her reach out to friends BB's for comfort and I believe there are benefits to the close contact from BF but I don't believe that BF'ing without anything else leads to the strongest bond so I wouldn't feel threatened by a wet nurse. In the animal kingdom bubs often feed from relatives but they still know who their mum is.

[briggsy's girl]

short term (if i had to take medication or something that was harmful to bub) then yes (as a young babe) - i think a toddler like mine could be persuaded to not have a BF for a couple of days, or to take EBM

long term, i don't think i could. we still feed overnight and she will attach and snuggle in of a morning - it is part of "our" time.

[HotI]

I wouldn't hire a wet nurse for full time breastfeeding because i believe that is a major commitment and should be done for love not money.

- i think the actual cost would be more than i could pay, and so paying an amount would cheapen it, and therefore it is better for no money to cross hands.
- Wet nursing has some links to slavery, and has abit of an ick factor for me.
- there is more to breastfeeding than just the breastmilk. the closeness, the looks, the sharing of antibodies etc, doing this for money would make it less enjoyable. And i want it to be enjoyable for my child.
- In saying this, i would like to have a close friend who was willing to breastfeed my child for times when i am unable to (my DD won't take EBM and so we are together or she has to wait) but i don't have someone who would be comfortable in filling that role (i wonder if she would feed from someone else?).

[Fleur]

Thanks so far for the replies.. I think this is interesting, considering it used to be done all the time, back in the day.. Amaunet and New Dawn, - I would happily accept EBM, or let my friend feed my bub on a one off emergency, but full time?? Thats the part I'm not sure about??

Same... EBM, sure, the occasional BF, yes but full time.. I don't know.

[Eenee]

happily except EBM and maybe let someone who is a close friend or family member feed my baby, but couldn't hire someone. I'd happily be a wet nurse for someone though and not be paid- not full time though as I have my family to think about but happy for there baby to come to me for feeds.