Woman sparks Facebook debate after breastfeeding her sister's son

'He would not take the bottle his momma pumped him'

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A Facebook post has gone viral after featuring an image of a woman breastfeeding her sister's son.

The photograph was shared by the popular page Breastfeeding Mama Talk, accompanied by a caption from the unnamed woman which read: 'In some weird chain of events today I ended up breast feeding my sisters son while she was away, because he would not take the bottle his momma pumped him.'

'In return because my son won't latch and is strictly fed bottles I pump , my sister was able to feed my son her perfectly good pumped milk. Which made for two very happy and content babies. #bonding #familyiseverything #breastmilkforthewin'

https://www.facebook.com/bfmamatalk/photos/a.471668436214912.96317.411182815596808/1132108986837517/?type=3&theater

Since it was uploaded on 17th September, the post has received more than 10,000 likes, 300 shares, and over 600 comments debating the woman's decision to breastfeed a relative's child.

'Too weird. Idk about nursing someone else's child tbh,' one mum said, and another agreed 'Thats kinda gross...'

'The only thing for me is I feel that breastfeeding is a very intimate (not sexual) bond for mother and child. I PERSONALLY would not be comfortable breastfeeding another child, or another person feeding my son. I won't judge those who do though because babies have to eat! I myself just wouldn't be comfortable with it,' commented a third.

However, others hit back, saying that wet nursing was perfectly normal and natural, with many sharing stories of their own experiences.

'My sister and I have breastfed each other's babies. It's very sweet! I feel sad for people that find this strange, our society is so out of touch with nature,' one such commenter retaliated.

The founder of the Breastfeeding Mama Talk page, Kristy Kemp, later waded in on the backlash, writing: 'I'm not sure where on the post opinions were asked for. Wet nursing is supported and encouraged here just like any other form of breastfeeding... I will be doing a live video on wet nursing soon. Let me know if there is anything you'd like me to bring up during the video!! ~Kristy'

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