Two friends from Connecticut, America, admit to regularly breastfeeding each other’s children and say they are simply doing what’s best for their families.
Stefani Tatavitto, 23, regularly feeds both her own two-year-old son Gage and her friend Chrystal Klein’s 19-month-old daughter Ariana while Chrystal is at work.
When Stefani needs to go out, Chrystal returns the favour and nurses both children as if they were her own.
Credit: Ruaridh Connellan Chrystal says she isn’t worried about her friend forming a stronger bond with a daughter than she has, despite Stefani breastfeeding her up to six times a week.
“I think it helps Ariana, it keeps her calm and helps her when she’s teething. It’s a big comfort and helps keep her settled.
“I don’t think it’s shocking to nurse another woman’s child – breastfeeding is natural.”
Stefani is also very comfortable nursing in public and says that passersby are oblivious to the fact that the child is not her own.
Credit: Ruaridh ConnellanChrystal says that she is happy for her friend to continue feeding her daughter until Ariana weans.
“Because of Stefani wet nursing I don’t need to pump milk for my daughter or worry about her not having any milk.
“It also makes me feel better to know that my daughter still has that comfort even while I am away from her.
Credit: Ruaridh ConnellanThe friends say that despite not discussing their arrangement too broadly with their extended family, have not yet received any criticism for wet nursing.
With more and more breastfeeding women posting pics like this online (below), the concept of wet nursing seems to be growing in popularity.
What do you think – would you wet nurse for a friend or family member? Let us know in the comments.
