Recently, there has been widespread discussion on social media regarding the search for a "milk-mother" (wet nurse) for a newborn whose mother tragically passed away. Breast milk is absolutely crucial for a child from birth up to two years of age, providing complete and essential nutrition for the first six months. If a baby is deprived of its own mother's milk for any reason, another mother's breast milk is a much healthier alternative to market formula milk. This is especially vital for premature babies.

Can Anyone Breastfeed Another Child? Regarding this, Dr. Anika Tabassum, Associate Consultant at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Square Hospital Ltd., stated that while the initiative is undoubtedly noble, certain health safety measures must be carefully considered. First and foremost, it must be ensured that the nursing mother's own child is not deprived of adequate milk.

Risk of Transmitting Infections

Before nursing another person's child, it is crucial to check for certain viral infections to prevent transmission:

  • HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus, and Syphilis. Since these may not always show visible symptoms, medical tests are required to confirm safety.

  • Herpes Simplex Virus (infections can spread if there are blister-like sores on the breast, but milk can be safely taken from an uninfected breast).

  • Brucella infection (which may present with common symptoms like fever and pain), Monkeypox, and Ebola virus.

Other Health Risks and Medical Consultation

  • If the lactating mother smokes, uses tobacco products, or consumes excessive alcohol, it can severely harm the baby.

  • Intake of any radioactive substances for medical reasons is also highly hazardous for the child.

Therefore, consulting a specialist doctor is mandatory before feeding another child. To avoid infection risks, the doctor will recommend specific tests. Mothers must also disclose if they have any contagious diseases or if they are taking any medications, including supplements or herbal drugs.

Guidelines for Expressing and Storing Milk

Since milk bank pasteurization facilities are not widely available in our country, strict hygiene must be maintained during milk collection.

  • Hands and pumping equipment must be thoroughly cleaned before expressing milk, and it should be stored in a clean, safe container.

  • Expressed milk stays good for up to four hours at room temperature (25°C or below). If the baby is fed from a bottle, the milk should be consumed within two hours.

  • Milk can be safely stored for up to four days in a normal refrigerator compartment (4°C or below) and for six months to a year in a deep freezer (-18°C or below).

  • Breast milk should never be heated on a stove or in a microwave oven. The milk bottle should be placed in a bowl of lukewarm water to gently bring it to room temperature. Once brought to room temperature, the milk can be fed to the baby for up to two hours.

For premature newborns, any special instructions or feeding guidelines provided by the doctor must be strictly followed.