A woman has left her followers divided after she revealed that she sometimes breastfeeds her sister's baby in order to give her a break.
The choice to breastfeed or not is a personal one, and while there are undoubtedly many benefits to breastmilk over formula, not everyone can or wants to nurse a baby this way.
However, one thing that's all but entirely fallen out of practice in the modern world is wet-nursing, where in generations past another woman would breastfeed someone else's baby if the mother was not able to.
Emily Boazman, who has three children of her own, left her followers divided after she revealed that she steps in to help her sister out when she's had enough of breastfeeding.
Emily revealed that she often steps in to give her sister a much-needed break from the all-consuming nature of breastfeeding her newborn, so that the new mother can get things done or just enjoy eating her meal in peace.
She shared a clip on TikTok showing her sister's baby latched on to her as she told her followers: "Nursing my sister’s baby so she can actually sit down and eat breakfast."
Emily added in the video: "I’m nursing my sister’s baby while she eats and recovers," before her sister - who is seen sitting at the table behind her adds: "I’ve already fed her, she just loves the nipple."
The TikToker then added: "She just wants to nurse 24/7 so I’ll just pop in and give her a little feed so Kate can get stuff done besides just nursing."
She then asked her followers in the caption: "Would you, or have you nursed for someone before?"
Her followers flooded the comments to share their thoughts, with one writing: "idk my jealousy would never allow this, that type bond is really special."
Others also didn't think it was for them as one wrote: "My neighbor offered to nurse mine. She told me it helps them to sleep if you drink a bottle of wine before, politely declined,never spoke to her again," and someone else added: "Nope. Didn’t nurse my own even."
Many wouldn't want to do it themselves but acknowledged the selflessness, writing: "I think it’s amazing but idk if my jealousy could handle," and: "I personally couldn't but I love that other do!"
One commented: "I admit,I was at first disturbed by this but after reading all the comments, I’m finding it’s not at all! I was unable to nurse. i don’t think I couldve had someone else do it for me but I see now that it’s quite common, as it once was many years ago."
The response to the video was overwhelmingly positive, as others shared their own experiences, writing: "Nursed my nephew he was hysterical crying, he fell asleep 5 minutes after nursing on me."
Another revealed: "I nursed for a total stranger in the emergency room once. I could see the stress in their eyes and asked if I could help them."
Others pointed out that it used to be commonplace, adding: "It used to be considered perfectly normal so I don’t see why we can’t see it that way now. This is such a kind act," and: "Royals would always use a wet nurse back in the day. I had twins and would have loved this kind of support!"
One other user simply put: "This is so kind and beautiful."
Emily shared a follow-up video showing all the times she'd breastfed her niece, as she told her followers: "Truly, this used to be such a normal part of culture, and now it's considered weird. It truly 'takes a village' and I think it’s so special to be able to feed my niece."
While breastfeeding someone else's baby to help them out is a selfless act of kindness for many, there can be some risks associated with nursing a child that is not your own.
According to kinedu.com, some infectious diseases can be transmitted through contaminated breast milk, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and chickenpox. There is also the chance that some medications taken by the mother can be transferred through the milk, which could harm the baby.
Cross-nursing - breastfeeding a baby that is not your own - is therefore best avoided, however, breast milk banks exist where nursing mothers can donate excess milk which is then pasteurized and ensured of its safety before it is given to babies in need.
Featured image credit: Westend61/Getty Images
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