MOTHERS are becoming bitterly divided over a return to other women breastfeeding each other's babies.
Women are now offering on the internet to donate their milk or "cross-nurse" - breastfeed babies other than their own - in a bid to help desperate mums in need.
Breastmilk is just a keystroke away after Eats on Feets, an international breastmilk-sharing network, recently started a Victorian Facebook site.
Advocates of cross-nursing say while it is not widespread, busy lives, mums returning to work, health issues and a growing acceptance that "breast is best" were among reasons for those embracing it.
The
Herald Sun is aware of a Melbourne eastern suburbs mothers' group that recently split when some mothers wanted to share both babysitting and breastfeeding. Others say they've been abused for engaging in the practice.
Frankston mother Sarah Langford, 27, whose daughter, Harriet, is 2 1/2, said she and a close friend were accused of child abuse for breastfeeding each other's children.
"One woman threatened to call the authorities and have our children taken away from us," she said.
"(But) when I am not able to be with her, my daughter still has the comfort of a breast and the important health components of breastmilk. It gives me joy to be able to lend a breast to a friend in need."
Ms Langford, who has difficulty expressing breastmilk, said it was a natural and practical way of supporting trusted friends.
Her friend, Sarah McLean, said she couldn't always cope with breastfeeding both her daughters, Iris, 3, and Eloise, 16 months.
Ms McLean, 25, a single mother, said it was also about the comfort and security breastfeeding provided.
"Sometimes I'm busy with Eloise or too tired from the constant demands of two children that I don't feel like I can cope with feeding a toddler at that time. If Sarah is there then Iris doesn't miss out."
The Australian Breastfeeding Association says it supports cross-feeding if all parties are aware of possible risks and informed consent is given.
"Wet nursing was very common hundreds of years ago," ABA spokeswoman Carey Wood said. She said breastmilk banks offered milk screening.
The AMA said the risk of contracting disease from breastmilk was low.
