In a message dated 1/27/2006 12:24:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
While this may be true, another worry about informal sharing is the
exchange of viruses. Some of these viruses have long lives, or stay dormant
for a
long time.
I am talking about the strains of HIV, of HTLV-1, and of CMV.
warmly,
I totally agree with you Nikki. I believe we need to be quite careful of
who we entrust to feed our children. When I "came out" about what my friend
was doing, it was incredible the response I got from many of my "friends". You
would have thought I was out at 2 am walking the river front at the homeless
camps looking for the dingiest, dirtiest, most drugged out woman there to
nurse my baby. While I understand that there are other ways to contract said
viruses, knowing a person's history is important. The woman who volunteered
is a very religious woman whose only vice was that she smoked as a teenager.
To be totally honest, as a nurse, I have been exposed to more viruses than
the average person...so potentially I could be more of a risk to my child than
she was. No one suggests that every woman be tested for every thing before
she is allowed to breastfeed. My goodness, I hope that is never made to be
the case. I have to say that the vast, vast majority of women who are going to
actively nursing their own baby, not to mention someone else's is going to
have led a clean lifestyle. I agree that we must be careful, and if I would
have had the least amount of doubt I would have asked her to be tested and I
am sure she would have, and still would be tested. Would I go out and hold up
a sign..."get yourself a wet nurse" of course not. If someone asked me my
opinion, I would of course tell them to test the mother. (after all we do
live in a sue happy society). I would never use it as an option as a nurse,
through LLL, or elsewhere. I would recommend (and have recommended) milk banks
first. I am very grateful I was able to find such a caring, sweet soul,
willing to give my child a gift that at the time I could not give myself.
Would I do it again??? ABSOLUTELY!!!
Renee Drake RN CLC
(http://www.snugglepie.com/)
***********************************************
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|
