I've been following with interest the thread on "donor" or wrong milk and
people's frustration and sadness that providing milk for or nursing another
mother's baby seems to be dwindling.  On the upside, the area I practice in
(mostly white married "typical" suburbanites) has a small but active
underground of women who nurse each other's babies when the situation calls
for it.  Most of the reasons are mother-baby separation (mom A wants some
time to herself to shop, etc. and mom B who is babysitting nurses baby A
when he gets hungry) and not all of these women are blood relatives.  Some
are (sisters, cousins) but many are just good friends.  When I hear of one
of these situations, the mom prefaces her comments with "I would never tell
my doctor this, but...".  I think most of these women tell me of their
arrangements, looking for validation and support.  Of course I am happy to
oblige!  I believe providing mother's milk for another baby is one practice
that will never die, no matter what current public opinion is.

Pam Hirsch, RN,BSN,CLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL  USA

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