Breastfeeding: Would YOU Breastfeed Another Woman's Child? - HerFamily

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. [caption id="attachment_231029" align="alignnone" width="774"]

*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** CONNECTICUT, USA - SEPTEMBER 30: Chrystal breastfeeds Stefani's son Gage as her daughter Ariana cries on September 30, 2015 in Connecticut, USA. Two young mums who breastfeed each other?s children are encouraging other women to share their milk. Stefani Tatavitto, 23, regularly feeds her two-year-old son with her friend Chrystal Klein?s 19-month-old daughter while Chrystal works at a factory. And when Stefani goes on a night out, Chrystal, also 23, returns the favour ?nursing both tots as if they were her own.The friends from Connecticut ? who met on Facebook five years ago ? started their unusual arrangement when Chrystal?s daughter, Ariana, was just ten months old. However, the shared nursing does cause problems for Stefani?s son Gage, who lashes out in jealousy when Ariana nurses from his mum. PHOTOGRAPH BY Ruaridh Connellan / Barcroft USA UK Office, London. T +44 845 370 2233 W www.barcroftmedia.com USA Office, New York City. T +1 212 796 2458 W www.barcroftusa.com Indian Office, Delhi. T +91 11 4053 2429 W www.barcroftindia.com

Credit: Ruaridh Connellan [/caption] 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. [caption id="attachment_231030" align="alignnone" width="770"]

*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** CONNECTICUT, USA - SEPTEMBER 30: Stefani tandem feeds Gage and Ariana on September 30, 2015 in Connecticut, USA. Two young mums who breastfeed each other?s children are encouraging other women to share their milk. Stefani Tatavitto, 23, regularly feeds her two-year-old son with her friend Chrystal Klein?s 19-month-old daughter while Chrystal works at a factory. And when Stefani goes on a night out, Chrystal, also 23, returns the favour ?nursing both tots as if they were her own.The friends from Connecticut ? who met on Facebook five years ago ? started their unusual arrangement when Chrystal?s daughter, Ariana, was just ten months old. However, the shared nursing does cause problems for Stefani?s son Gage, who lashes out in jealousy when Ariana nurses from his mum. PHOTOGRAPH BY Ruaridh Connellan / Barcroft USA UK Office, London. T +44 845 370 2233 W www.barcroftmedia.com USA Office, New York City. T +1 212 796 2458 W www.barcroftusa.com Indian Office, Delhi. T +91 11 4053 2429 W www.barcroftindia.com

Credit: Ruaridh Connellan[/caption] Chrystal 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.

[caption id="attachment_231028" align="alignnone" width="842"]

*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** CONNECTICUT, USA - SEPTEMBER 30: Stefani with her sons Noah and Gage and Chrystal with her daughter Ariana and her son Aiden on September 30, 2015 in Connecticut, USA. Two young mums who breastfeed each other?s children are encouraging other women to share their milk. Stefani Tatavitto, 23, regularly feeds her two-year-old son with her friend Chrystal Klein?s 19-month-old daughter while Chrystal works at a factory. And when Stefani goes on a night out, Chrystal, also 23, returns the favour ?nursing both tots as if they were her own.The friends from Connecticut ? who met on Facebook five years ago ? started their unusual arrangement when Chrystal?s daughter, Ariana, was just ten months old. However, the shared nursing does cause problems for Stefani?s son Gage, who lashes out in jealousy when Ariana nurses from his mum. PHOTOGRAPH BY Ruaridh Connellan / Barcroft USA UK Office, London. T +44 845 370 2233 W www.barcroftmedia.com USA Office, New York City. T +1 212 796 2458 W www.barcroftusa.com Indian Office, Delhi. T +91 11 4053 2429 W www.barcroftindia.com

Credit: Ruaridh Connellan[/caption] The 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.

? "Tandem feeding my nephew and my daughter." ~ Thank you for sending in this magic @ambretzu || We adore your courage, the love that you share through your MYLK, and just everything about this image! That precious smile says it all! #bosomnectar

A photo posted by TRIBE de MAMA™ (@tribedemama) on Nov 17, 2015 at 12:03pm PST

What do you think - would you wet nurse for a friend or family member? Let us know in the comments.

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Breastfeeding: Would YOU Breastfeed Another Woman’s Child?