Llli

[mrsfatty]

Why is LaLecheLeague against cross nursing or wet nursing?

I brought up in a meeting that I would be willing to nurse my friend's baby (who is formula fed--my friend forgot her formula when she came to my house one day--she jokingly said, "well you could just feed her when she's hungry, I guess." then laughed--and I said I would be more than happy to nurse her baby if she needed me to)...I mentioned this AND I mentioned my SIL is back in school and has to be working and her son is a boob snob (won't take a bottle of her pumped milk) and I said that my SIL and I joked (and we both were serious while we were joking) that I could feed him while he was away from his mama (if he didn't start taking the bottles of her milk)...and the LLL leaders almost had fits about it...LLL doesn't support cross nursing, etc.

So, does LLL not support donations of milk as well?

What's the big deal?

[Chandar]

LLL does support donations to milk banks that pastuerize the milk. It is a liability issue imo.

I see it as they can't support cross nursing because it could transfer disease, and that leaves them open to liability. All LLLLs are covered under insurance, and while they are wearing their leader hats can only support or tow the party line.

I know many LLLLs that are very pro cross nursing when they are not being LLLLs

[menomena]

yeah that.

In a series meeting, a Leader is the voice of LLLI. Therefore, they are obliged to clarify the organization's official position (or lack there of e.g. vaxes, homebirth, etc) when it comes up in meetings. It is a liability thing for sure. This way a mom doesn't hear you talk about it and then walk away saying that "LLL says to use wetnurses instead of formula" etc.

I agree that when their Leader hat is off, most Leaders I know are actually supportive of cross nursing in many situations.

[guestmama9904]

i have nursed my best friend children and so has another friend. one time was when her daughter had a fever all of a sudden at about age 2, mom was at work and dad was home with her, the kid just seemed miserable so i cuddled her up and nursed her on the bed and she slept peacefully. it was simply my insticts to care for her and nurse her, and my friend and i had discussed this previously and decided we were cool with the possibilty of nursing eachothers kids if needed.
i think as pp stated LLLI cannot endorce any practice that could theorhetically cause disease. it is no longer a small grassroots organization of a select few folks, it is a huge international organization.

[mamajake]

The most current LLLI policy concerning milk donation and sharing can be found here: http://www.llli.org/Release/milksharing.html As of March 2007, LLLI does not take a position for or against informal milk sharing but Leaders are not to suggest or facilitate the arrangements. However, "[i]f a mother wishes to discuss these options, the Leader’s role is to provide information about the risks and benefits so that the mother can make her own informed decision based on her situation."

Sounds like you may have been at a meeting where the Leaders where not aware of the current policy.

[mrsfatty]

LLLI cross nursing/wet nursing article

I realize your link is more up-to-date...but it says, "La Leche League does not encourage or suggest wet nursing or cross nursing of infants." Which I'm sure is why she said what she said about it...

That is cool that current policy is to weigh pros and cons for the individual...

[mamajake]

Originally Posted by mrsfatty

LLLI cross nursing/wet nursing article

I realize your link is more up-to-date...but it says, "La Leche League does not encourage or suggest wet nursing or cross nursing of infants." Which I'm sure is why she said what she said about it...

That is cool that current policy is to weigh pros and cons for the individual...

Right, the March 2007 policy supercedes and revokes the previous one which the article at your link discusses. The Leader you dealt with probably hasn't read the new policy. Feel free to share the link.