Is it risky to have someone else breastfeed my baby?

Is it risky to have someone else breastfeed my baby?

Rebecca Charlton (Lactation Educator & Registered Dietitian, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles) gives expert video advice on: When should I start breastfeeding my baby?; What nursing supplies does a new mother need?; How do I breastfeed my baby correctly? and more...

In many cultures, it's common to have more than one person breastfeed a single baby. Historically, this has even been a normal job for women - a career in breastfeeding other people's babies. As you decide if you are going to let a neighbor breastfeed your baby or if you would like someone else to do it altogether or to hire out, bare in mind that such thinking is not common in our culture and there may even be some ramifications that your doctor might have ideas about. Be aware of the following risks involved in letting someone else breasfeed your baby. Some diseases do pass from breastmilk. You should know for certain that this person does not have Hepatitis B or HIV before you allow them to breastfeed your child. In the same vein, you can request donor milk. This is very expensive. However, donor milk has been pasteurized, purified, and tested for all diseases that could possibly be passed along from breast milk.