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Wet Nursing - When a Baby is Breastfed by Another Woman
Wet nursing is the term given to the act of breastfeeding another woman’s baby. There are several reasons why women resort to wet nursing and it’s a practice that is not as uncommon as you may think. It was popular before the 1900s and still continues today. Continue reading for all you need to know about wet nursing babies.
What is Wet Nursing?
Technically wet nursing is when a baby is entirely fed by another woman who is not her biological mother. The term is often used to mean cross nursing as well in recent times. Cross nursing occurs when the baby is sometimes nursed by another woman who is not his biological mother. The woman who breastfeeds another mother's baby is called a wet nurse. The answer to whether wet nursing is safe is yes. Wet nursing has been around for thousands of years and is an excellent way to nurse a baby as long as proper precautions are observed. A wet nurse should be well-nourished and healthy with ample supply of breast milk to feed a baby.
History of Wet Nursing
Going by historical records, wet nursing has been around for a very long time. Some of the earliest civilizations such as the Egyptians had wet nursing practices and codes established for the regulation of it. Before the 17th century, many of the upper-class women had the practice of sending their babies to rural peasants or wet nurses from the lower class for the first two or three years of their life. It was done to avoid inconvenience to wealthy women and to ensure their babies were nourished with wholesome breast milk. In England, wet nurses were highly valued and respected during the 18th century. Other parts of the world also had wet nursing as the only way to nourish a child if the biological mother was incapable of producing her own breast milk. Mothers who had excess milk often cross nursed other children who were in need. In fact, until the 1900s there were no widespread alternatives to breast milk for babies that were safe. And babies born to mother who couldn’t breastfeed would almost surely die. Wet nursing in India is still common in rural areas and gaining popularity in urban centres.
When Can You Go for Wet Nursing?
There are many circumstances that call for the help of a wet nurse, they include:
Working mothers who are too busy to spend time feeding their babies as they are devoted to building their careers. When such women want their babies breastfed with natural human milk and not formula milk.
Mothers who are unable to nurse their child as they are on medications which could harm the baby when transferred through breast milk.
Wet nursing is also a good idea for mothers who are having a difficult time producing their own breast milk to satisfy their baby’s growing appetite.
Adoptive mothers or same-sex couples who are unable to breastfeed their baby, but also don’t want to raise the baby on formula can hire the services of a wet nurse.
Are There Any Dangers of Wet Nursing?
Wet nursing also has some drawbacks that should be considered.
A mother who is wet nursing another baby might risk interruption of breast milk for her own child.
Infections are a potential possibility for both the mother and the baby.
Breastmilk composition varies as the baby grows. This can lead to a difference in the nourishment a baby can get if the wet nurse has her own baby who is of a different age.
Wet nurses often have plenty of breastmilk which can lead to the let-down reflex.
Sometimes babies that are older than four months refuse to feed from a wet nurse.
Sometimes wet nursing can have unwelcome impacts on the baby’s siblings or the household.
How to Hire a Wet Nurse for Your Baby?
You can either have a private arrangement with a lactating mother who is healthy and has a baby close to the age of your own. The age difference matters as the composition of the breastmilk changes as the baby gets older. For full nourishment, your baby requires milk that is produced for his age or state of development. You may also opt for the services of a professional wet nurse through local resources or an online agency. There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind before hiring a wet nurse:
Do not be fooled by the chubby appearance of a wet nurse’s baby and assume the quality of her milk or services. Do thorough background checks and screen her for diseases even if you know her personally.
Ensure the wet nurse is enjoying excellent health. She shouldn’t be on any prescriptive or OTC medication and must have a clean medical history. Herbal supplements must also be accounted for.
Wet nurses must be screened for STDs and other common diseases such as hepatitis and tuberculosis. Preferably undergo tests that are done for both wet nursing mothers and biological mothers to ensure there are no risks. The testing needs to be set up as a private arrangement since hospitals do not do this.
Wet nurses should have a lifestyle that reflects that of biological mothers. They shouldn’t smoke, drink alcohol or use other substances. If you have restrictions such as eating only organic foods and have limited intake of coffee or tea, you should look for someone who adheres to the same.
Alternatives to Wet Nursing
When you are unable to breastfeed your baby for any reason, there are other options for nourishment.
Mothers struggling to produce enough breastmilk can benefit greatly from cross-nursing. A cross- nursing arrangement with a known breastfeeding mother or a professional can fulfil all the baby’s nutritional needs.
If breastfeeding is not possible, breast pumps can be used to save milk which can be bottle fed later.
Low breastmilk can be supplemented with infant formula partially or you can choose to feed infant formula only.
Breastmilk is available from breastmilk banks which can be bought on the prescription of a doctor.
Wet nursing is a wonderful option for women who are unable to meet the nutritional demands of their babies on their own. It is important to set up an arrangement with a thorough understanding of the process and the risks involved.
Also Read:
Low Carb Diet While Breastfeeding
Foods That Increase Production of Breast Milk
Fruits to Eat and Avoid during Breastfeeding Read more
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Baby Related Food and Nutrition: What and How to Offer and What to Avoid
Baby and food!! Every single parent is worried when thing comes to food and nutrition of a baby. Six month from birth is suggested for exclusive breastfeeding. Post that, baby is ready to be introduced to family food. But parent should be in a hurry as this is the first important transition for a baby. Some baby easily passes this transition. Some feels not so comfortable in this transition. So enough time should be given to a baby to explore and accept this transition.
It should be kept in mind that sugar and salt should not be introduced till 1 year.
Proper texture of food should be given. And parents, please don't make it a long term habit of feeding food in pureed or mashed form. Proper granular structure of food should be given to a baby.
Their is no such limitation of food that can or can't be offered. So except junks, sugar, salt, animal milk, varieties can be offered to a baby.
Animal milk shouldn't be given till 1 year.
Allergies should be checked after each new introduction of food. Stop immediately if allergy is noticed.
Iron, calcium rich food like Brocolli, Avocado, Spinach etc should be given in proper amount.
Different varieties of food should be given to bring their interest in food. Colourful food attracts them. So always combine and offer thrm.
Food should be properly washed and we'll cooked before feed.
Initially one meal should be given a day replacing one breakfast session. Gradually, increase the frequency of feeding.
Raw veggies and fruits should be washed properly.
Please avoid using plastic bowl, spoon and glass from using for baby. In stead, use steel or silver utensils.
Baby should be welcomed very patient fully to this transition. Being parents, we are responsible to make them comfortable in transition, provide them proper nutrition and avoid junks.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Jonita Dsouza
Guardian of a 1 yr 5 m old boy
2 mins ago
#stylishbaby
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सर्दियों में किस प्रकार से करें सुरक्षा अपने नन्हें मुन्नों की
वैसे तो सभी मौसम अपनी-अपनी जगह सबके पसंदीदा होते हैं लेकिन सर्दियों का मौसम ज्यादातर सबको ही पसंद आता है लेकिन हो ना हो यह मौसम छोटे बच्चों के लिए थोड़ा कठिनाई भरा समय जरूर ले आता है व उससे भी ज्यादा चिंता का विषय हम माताओं के लिए बन जाता है कि किस प्रकार आने वाली सर्दी से अपने बच्चों की सुरक्षा की जाए ताकि वह कम से कम बीमार पड़े।किस प्रकार उनकी ठंड से रक्षा करे ताकि उनको खांसी व जुकाम के भयंकर जकड़न वाले प्रकोप से बचाया जा सके।
वैसे तो हर माँ समझदार होती है व जानती है कि उसके बच्चे के लिए क्या सही है व क्या गलत. वह सही प्रकार से सही समय पर अपने बच्चों को जुराबे,गर्म बनियान,दस्ताने, गर्म टोपी इत्यादि पहनाकर सर्दी से उनकी रक्षा करती है परंतु काफी बार इतनी सुरक्षा देने के बावजूद भी हमारे बच्चों को ठंड लग ही जाती है इसलिए बाहरी सुरक्षा देने के साथ साथ हमें कुछ अन्य बातों को भी ध्यान में रखना चाहिए जो कि इस प्रकार हैं:-
• छोटे बच्चे को सर्दी लगने पर हमारी प्राथमिकता उसे डाक्टर के पास ले जाकर दवाई दिलवाने की होती है जोकि उचित भी है लेकिन ज्यादातर Antibiotics व Anti allergic के इस्तेमाल से छाती में ठंड लगने से बना रेशा वही जम जाता है जोकि कुछ समय बाद दिक्कत का विषय बन जाता है जिससे बच्चों मे running ribs (chest fever) होने का खतरा हो जाता है इससे बचाव के लिए कभी भी बच्चों को ज्यादा मात्रा में इस प्रकार के दवाइयों की आदत न डाले। व nebulizer के इस्तेमाल से भी परहेज करे क्योंकि इसके इस्तेमाल से यह बच्चों में nausea,heartburn,stomach pain,headache जैसी समस्याओं को सामने ला सकता है।
• बच्चों को गीलेपन से बचाए रखना बेहद आवश्यक होता है छोटे बच्चे दिन व रात में बार बार मूत्र करने से अपने कपड़े गीले कर लेते हैं जिन्हें बार बार बदलना दिक्कत देता है इस समस्या से बचने के लिए बहुत ठंड पड़ने पर बच्चों को डाइपर पहना कर रखे ताकि वह अपने कपड़े बार बार गीले न कर पाये लेकिन एक बात का अवश्य ध्यान रखे कि समय समय पर डाइपर को चेक करते रहे व बच्चे कि स्किन को हवा लगवाते रहे ताकि बच्चा रेशेज से बचा रहे ।
• बच्चों की छाती को ठंड से बचाने के लिए रूई की कुछ परत लेकर उसकी छाती पर अवश्य रखे ताकि छाती में गरमाइश बनी रहे व छाती पर ठंडी हवा न लगे।
• ठंड लगने पर सरसों के तेल में दौ लहसुन की कलियाँ डालकर जला दे व ठंडा होने पर इस तेल से बच्चे की छाती व पैरों के तले पर दिन में दो या तीन बार मालिश करे ऎसा करने से उसे काफी राहत मिलेगी।
• शहद ठंड से बचाव करने का एक काफी उपयोगी साधन हैं एक चम्मच शहद में थोड़ा सा अदरक घिसकर उसका रस निकाल कर बच्चों को चटाने से काफी राहत मिलती है। व बच्चों के लिए अजवाइन का काढ़ा भी बेहद लाभदायक रहता है। इसके अलावा तुलसी, अदरक व मोटी इलायची की चाय भी सर्दी भगाने का अच्छा साधन है।
• अपने बच्चों में बचपन से ही कुछ ड्राइ फ्रूटस जैसे कि बादाम,अखरोट,खुबानी,मुगँफली व खजूर खाने की आदत डाले..गर्म दूध के साथ यह कुछ ड्राइ फ्रूटस खिलाने से बच्चों में रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता तो बढ़ती ही हैं साथ ही साथ ठंड से भी बचाव रहता है,इसके अलावा हम 3 साल से ऊपर के बच्चों को डाबर का आयुर्वेदिक च्यवनप्राश भी दे सकते हैं अलग अलग फ्लेवर होने से बच्चे इसको बड़े शौक से खाना पसंद करते हैं। लेकिन एक बात का ध्यान अवश्य रखे कि सर्दी जुकाम होने पर बच्चों को दूध,चावल व केले जैसे खाद्य पदार्थों से अवश्य परहेज करवाए।
• बच्चों के हाथों को अवश्य समय समय साफ करते रहे व अपने हाथों की सफाई का भी ध्यान रखे क्योकि गंदे हाथों से खाना खाने व खिलाने से सीधा infection शरीर में पहुँच जाता है व छोटे बच्चों का Immunity system कमजोर होता है जिस वजह से वह जल्दी बीमार पड़ जाते हैं।
• बच्चों की नैपीज को अवश्य ही Dettol Antiseptic liquid से धोना न भूले क्योकि जिस प्रकार गर्मी में पसीने से Infection होने का डर रहता है उसी प्रकार सर्दियों मे भी कपड़ो पर पूर्ण रूप से धूप न लग पाने के कारण infection होने का खतरा ज्यादा हो रहता है तो इस बात का अवश्य ध्यान रखे।
• सबसे महत्वपूर्ण बात छ: माह व उससे छोटे नवजात शिशु के लिए किसी भी रोग से लड़ने के लिए दवाई से ज्यादा महत्वपूर्ण माँ का दूध होता है इसलिए शिशु को दूध पिलाने वाले समय में खुद के खान-पान व साफ सफाई का अवश्य ध्यान रखे ताकि आपका शिशु जल्दी स्वस्थ हो सके।
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Loving Your Children and Nurturing Their Mental Health Is Important for All Parents
Kids like to play a lot. Parents need to expose them to nature so that they can adapt to it. Nature is the first teacher for everyone. We remember playing on the streets with our parents and friends. Let our children experience the same joy too. Play with them more often; even when you are not in the best of your moods or on tiring or tough days, never neglect to play with them. Playing games allows you to connect more with your kid, strengthening the bond between you and them. Kids start loving you more and feel more connected to you.
Allow them to play outdoors as it is a good physical activity that will build them stronger physically and keep them healthy in body and mind. I’m not a parent yet, but I hope to grow my child as an emotionally and physically fit person. As a parent, I won’t pressurize them to achieve great goals in life. I’ll allow them to grow independently and will be happy to see them happy in whatever they do. For me, their mental health is more important than anything. I’ll try to spend more time with them and love them until eternity.
I have seen my little sisters and cousins grow up. It feels like seeing your children grow. Every time I am with them, I feel I am the happiest person alive, and the same feeling reciprocates in their love for me.
Children like people who spend time with them. They are very simple-minded, innocent, and pure. The only thing they know is to love you back selflessly. It is important for parents to love their children unconditionally and understand them and their requirements as their world might be different from ours.
I would request all readers to bear with me as this is my first blog article. I want to sincerely apologize to all readers if I have made any mistakes. Lastly, I want to thank all the mothers because there is no living without a mother, and there is no life without her being around.
Kindly wish for me to become a mother soon.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. hllo am in 34 week of pregnancy,cramps in my hand and foots,my pulses is very fast,i feel tiredness internally,are these symptoms are normal
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
11 hours ago
A. get investigations particularly hemoglobin level. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
11 hours ago
A. please check the temperature and get the investigations. fever can be because of different reasons most of the times viral bacterial sometimes due to less immunity there can be recurrence better to treat only with paracetamol if the fever more than 100degr
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 hours ago
Q. Now I am having pain till then my miscarriage has been done at home
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
10 hours ago
A. I’m sorry I’m unable to understand your query as you haven’t given any detail about it so whatever the situation is you should get a check with your gynaecologist the doctor would be able to give you better help in whatever treatment of precaution you need to require further
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. Hello
What is better normal or csec?
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
5 hours ago
A. hello dear this is not about which is better this is all about your body and the condition of the baby no doubt the normal procedure is the painful but side effect are not there but after C6 you have to be little more careful and you have to take more precaution but again I am saying that this is not about the better one this is about the condition of your pregnancy
Santu has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
4 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
1) till how many days after delivery baby needs to keep on uterus temperatures/warm temperature?
2) Can baby & mother both take bath after 24 hours of delivery?
Santu
Mom of 2 children
3 hours ago
A. It depends on moms and babys health I feel and suggest It's better to check with your doctor and follow their advise. That would be one of the best and safest option for your baby as of now. Take care.
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. dual marker test is for what purpose??
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
3 hours ago
A. The double marker test helps determine whether the unborn baby has any risk of developing neurological abnormalities or mental disorders
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