Hi Lactnetters,
As good as the cross-nursing appears to some of us, it does carry a risk
today. Aids and sexually transmitted diseases can be transmitted through
milk. ISn't why they started pasterizing human milk for milk bank?

I know of several mothers who are doing it in my area and those who
"offer" to do it don't discuss the risk with the mothers they want to
help. Also, it can undermine the confidence of a new mother trying to
establish breastfeeding for the first time.

I am also wondering about cross nursing infants of a different age;
especially when the cross-nursing is only occasional. Would anyone have
some information about this? I know that  when wet nurses were still
used the poarents were looking for a wet nurse who had an infant close
in age with their own, if possible. I always wondered what really is
happening when a mother nurses non-twins. Does both babies get what they
need from the mom? Which baby controls the milk content?
I also think that cross-nursing can affect the special relationship
establish between mother and child, at least in some situations.
Mother's milk is more than food as we alway say!

Does any of you have thoughts about this? I would appreciate if Kathy D.
has anything to say on this "sensitive" issue.
Thanks in advance
Christine Gauthier LLL Québec
Hull; [log in to unmask]