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wet nursing
Wet nursing has become something of a taboo subject, and yet prior to the introduction of formula milk in the early 1900s, it was commonplace and was used routinely if the mother was absent or unwell.
In the 17th and 18th century a woman could earn more money as a wet nurse than her husband could as a labourer. Yet, within three generations it has become socially unacceptable. There was even a case in Oklahoma in 2003 where a woman was fined because she breastfed another woman's baby without her consent.
That said, there are no known laws in the UK prohibiting the practice and anecdotally there are circles of parents who informally practice 'shared feeding' or 'cross-nursing'.
However, it is worth noting that infections can be transmitted in breast milk, which is why women providing milk to UK milk banks are screened and the milk heat-treated.
In the States, the practice of wet nursing is offered on a more formal basis. Last year a wet-nursing agency was established in Los Angeles – purportedly popular with Hollywood stars with breast implants who require lactating nannies.
(August 2008)
Read on for details of relevant organisations, websites and reading.
